Jimmy is not your ordinary woodturner. Upon a first meeting one would think of him as a renegade, a free thinker and not within the stereotypical image of a woodturner. His charming British style, unending wit, creative mind and magnetic personality are only some of the attributes that make him popular in the woodturning demonstration circuit.

Jimmy is on the Register of Professional Woodturners in the United Kingdom and a member of the American Association of Woodturners. He has over 20 years of experience in woodturning and woodworking. The demand for his services as a freelance demonstrator takes him all across the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada and now New Zealand.

It was not long after leaving school at the age of 16, Jimmy attained an apprenticeship in engineering and decided to further his studies by attending Manchester Polytechnic. He received a 2:1 Honours Degrees with special emphasis on learning 3-Dimensional Design. With that focus, he began to specialize in designing and making furniture which was influenced by Japanese tools and design.

It was during his time in college that his interest in woodturning was rekindled. The combination of his college education, his limitless imagination and his professional skills was a perfect fit for Jimmy to pursue his creative abilities as a woodturner and to take that ability to the next level.

When asked what drives him, he shares, “My energy comes from those around me. When I can stir the creativity of one’s mind, that, for me is very satisfying. As with any artform, expression is only limited as one’s mind and I want to ‘raise the bar’ and create an awareness of the artform that has been virtually unknown to most people.”

Sometimes Jimmy cannot believe that he gets paid to do what he loves. If you can’t find Jimmy in his workshop, you will find him writing articles for Woodturner magazine, spending time with his family and, being an avid outdoorsman, spending time fishing and hunting. “Living in the country allows me the opportunity to spend time with nature where I can clear my mind and let my imagination inspire my next project.”

Jimmy is the first to acknowledge that personal tutelage is by far the best way to learn. However, since that is now always possible, in 2003 he produced the critically acclaimed DVD Turnaround with Jimmy Clewes which sold thousands of copies around the world. In 2005 he released a 3-box set DVD Turn it On with Jimmy Clewes that incorporates a range of new projects and some fascinating extra features from technical tips to a special trip to a Roman museum. And now, Jimmy is proud to introduce, Turn it Up. For more information about this incredible 3 disk set, click here.