lokimonkey

My name is Louise Hibbert and I have been designing and making intricate boxes, handheld sculptures and functional items like salt and pepper mills out of wood, plastic and metal for over 20 years.

I opened my Lokimonkey shop in 2007 to sell my mills and other kitchen items. It's great as it allows me to have contact with customers directly, from all over the world. My functional work takes too long to make for me to be able to sell through galleries so other than the occasional craft fair this is the only place you can buy them! I am also excited to have recently started a range of hand-fabricated jewellery made from gold, silver, copper and resin in my Louisehibbert shop.

I studied 3D design in wood, metal, ceramics and plastics at Brighton University in England before going on to become a full-time professional maker. After living in the Virginia, USA for 7 years I have now returned to Wales where I continue to create nature inspired pieces.

I have a small shed that I built in my garden where I work which has a wonderful view down to the village promemade and the Menai Straights. I still use a 1950 Wadkin Bursgreen lathe that I love, a faithful companion that I bought second hand when I started and who travelled with me to the States and back! My other occasional helper is Osar, one of our rescue cats who likes hanging out despite the chaos!

I have been fortunate enough to included in numerous publications and books including most recently New Masters of the Wooden Box by Oscar Fitzgerald.

I am constantly seeking new inspiration for my work in books, museums, on the internet and in the wild. I love microscopic creatures, marine life, beetles, bugs, seeds - particularly the weird and wonderful - basically anything that intrigues and delights me with it's form, texture or color! I love trying new things and constantly push myself in terms of designs and techniques.