I just wanted to share this beautiful stool my father made. He has now passed and I am really glad I still have this amazingly comfortable stool to remember him by. Along with many other odd bits and pieces he made along the journey.

But there is something about this stool that I find so emotive. He made it at a time in my life when I was a little boy and I remember helping him in the garage with the woodwork and the drilling and cutting and sanding. He even made the actual leather seat and sewed the pieces together by hand.

But I was at an age when half of the memories I can't actually decide if they are real or if I have filled in the blanks. The exact memories are all a bit of a blur, but the feelings and emotions are wonderful. And ever since he finished making it, it has always been part of my life every single day. We had an old house and little hallway and he actually made it for us to sit on, as we put our shoes on in the morning. Such a simple act and yet, of course, we used it every day. I often wonder if he did that on purpose. Make something that we would have to use every day. He was very practical like that and could seemingly make anything he put his mind to.

But now I almost feel it is too important to be stuck in a hallway. And it takes pride of place in my living room. It is still so amazingly comfortable and to be honest I have no idea what is inside of the leather seating. It is an odd design. I remember he made it out of two walking sticks his own grandfather had used. So there is a lot of family history in this seat.

But I also think it looks better year after year. The stool is so incredibly well made. Made to his own design and the patina and colour of the woodwork, just seems to look more and more beautiful each year. I just love the colour.

It's funny how I'm sure there are many pieces of amazing furniture, artwork, jewellery, pottery and trinkets made by individuals, that are absolutely amazing and yet never get seen. So thanks to the Society of Makers website for giving me the opportunity to immortalise this wonder piece of furniture, made by my beloved father.

Thanks again
Rich Shaye