Anthony Dew has devoted almost fifty years to designing, making and restoring wooden rocking-horses, founding The Rocking Horse Shop near York.
‘The Complete Rocking-Horse Maker’ distills a life-time’s skill and knowledge of the craft and includes rocking-horse projects for all abilities as well as chapters on history and restoration.
‘Making It with Rocking-Horses’ tells the personal story of the development and practice of the craft and its impact on the people involved.
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Making It with Rocking-Horses by Anthony Dew (book)
"A compelling read, telling the story of balancing growing a craft business and pursuing a passion for making, with having a family.
Fascinating insight into the craft of rocking horse making too… a must for any wooden horse lovers!"
"What we have here is a very readable autobiography, tracing Tony’s art school beginnings, his life at sea, his struggle to get his small business gong, the importance of his family, the growth of his rocking horse business - ‘You don’t want to be the best of the best, you just want to be the only one to do what you do.’ Along the way he encounters setbacks, heartbreak, adversity, tragedy, chicanery, and more, but the way he outs these things behind him speaks of an unwavering determination to do things right. Rocking horses can be things of exquisite beauty, craftsmanship and not a little historical interest. His very well written, large format book is poignant, honest, unsparing, and full of insight."
"I found this an interesting and honest account from someone who has faced the challenge of running a traditional craft business whilst raising a family. There are some heartbreaking moments but underlying all a humour that carries the story along. If you are interested in rocking horses, craftsmanship, family businesses, seamanship or paragliding... this will be the book for you!"
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