In Do Make, James Otter - who makes award-winning wooden surfboards - invites us to reconnect to our creative selves and start making again. He encourages us to consider the materials used and to question what we are making and why.
As he guides us through the process involved, the seemingly complex is broken down into manageable chunks. And as the quest for perfection is put to one side, we learn to enjoy the process. Shaping. Moulding. Chopping. Carving. Our hands connect us to the natural materials, our physical environment, and back to ourselves.
Through the simple act of making, we become grounded and more centred. Happier and more purposeful. Hands, fingers, and fingertips. Isn't it time to make your mark on the world?
We are all makers. From our morning cup of coffee to a family meal or something more artistic, we find it satisfying to create something that didn't exist before.
About the author: James is the founder of Otter Surfboards, where he designs and makes award-winning wooden surfboards that have been featured on television through Countryfile (BBC), Escape to the Country (BBC), Made in Britain (ITV) and How It’s Made (Discovery Channel), and in print in The Guardian, The Telegraph and GQ. As well as making wooden surfboards, he has led workshop courses for the past eight years, sharing his passion for making with others.
