The Art of Handcrafting Beautiful Objects in a Digital Age

‘An important book, brimming with insight.’ Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer

‘Material is generous, wise, fascinating and fundamentally humane.’ Dan Richards, author of Outpost

Throwing a pot. Building a bench. Sewing clothes. Creating a linocut illustration. Carving a spoon. What does it mean to make things with your hands in a digital age, full of mass-market, disposable items?

Following the path trod by bestselling authors Lars Mytting, Robert Macfarlane and Barn the Spoon, craftsman Nick Kary explores what it means to be a maker. Through beautifully crafted writing filled with memorable craftspeople, landscapes, stories and scenery, Material is a rich celebration of what it means to imagine and create.

Nick champions the voices of artisans across the UK, from potters to woodworkers, reminding us of the rich vein of knowledge and skills that defines our common human heritage. He tells the stories of makers and explores the challenge of making a living out of a practice that was once a necessity, asking them why they make and what it means to create in a world where consumers are disconnected from the creative and material process.

Underlying his visits to meet fellow makers are the author’s own reflections about what and who influenced him to value materials from the earth for the past forty years.

Perfect for fans of Countryfile or Norwegian Wood, Material is a rich, inspiring read for woodworkers, potters, craftspeople, bibliophiles and anyone who enjoys working with their hands.