In part two of our 2025 Graduate Exhibition blog series, we turn the spotlight to the talented students in Graham and James’ tutor groups, each bringing their own creative perspective and distinctive style to fine furniture making.
As we count down to the 2025 Graduate Exhibition and Fine Furniture Sale, we’re thrilled to share a glimpse into the remarkable projects these students have been developing.
If you haven’t done so already, book your free ticket for the Exhibition here.
Graham’s Tutor Group
Ariadne Welter
Ariadne, who was born and raised in Brazil, has been living in Germany for the past few years, working in the field of sustainability. Her lifelong passion for crafting with her hands eventually led her to Chippendale.
Inspired by her love of nature, travel, and conscious living, Ariadne views her designs as a unique blend of creativity and purpose.
After completing the course, she plans to return to Germany to continue her journey as a furniture maker, combining her new skills with her background in sustainability.
Daniel Higgins
Daniel is from New Zealand and has been working as a Craftsman Joiner for over a decade. After serving as the manager of his previous company for three and a half years, he decided to delve deeper into woodworking by enrolling on the Chippendale School’s Professional Course. During his time here, he enhanced his skills and learned techniques for designing and creating bespoke furniture.
After completing the course, he plans to spend a few years gaining experience around the world before returning to New Zealand, where he intends to start his own company in sunny Nelson.
Henry French
Having recently graduated from university, Henry faced challenges in finding his direction. He now feels fortunate to explore his long-standing passion for art and design through a career in woodworking.
After completing the Professional Course, Henry hopes to continue creating fine furniture and interiors that reflect a thoughtful approach to design and craftsmanship.
Mari Minsaas
Mari was born in the deep forests of Elverum, Norway. It was here that she spent her formative years, shaping her curious and creative spirit. For several years, Mari ran a popular café in Oslo, where she curated experiences and fostered a thriving community over thousands of cups of coffee. However, as time passed, she felt a growing need to create with her hands—to build something lasting and tangible. This longing prompted her to attend a woodcarving class, where she immediately fell in love with the idea of working with wood. This led her to Gifford, the cradle of furniture craftsmanship.
Here at the Chippendale School, she has immersed herself in traditional joinery, modern techniques, and machinery, all while exploring the language of materials and the legacy of furniture as a form of cultural expression. Mari draws inspiration from Nordic nature and light, with her design aesthetic situated between the vibrant Art Nouveau era and the radical honesty of Scandinavian modernism. As she returns to Oslo, Mari hopes to find a welcoming workshop to join, where she can further develop her skills and, perhaps one day, establish a workshop of her own.
Paul Custance
After earning a bachelor’s degree and starting a career in corporate finance, Paul ventured into blockchain technology, only to realise his true passion lay elsewhere. Reflecting on childhood side projects—like building loungers, shelves, and planters—he discovered that working with his hands brought exceptional joy and satisfaction. This led him to pursue a goal of designing, restoring, and building furniture, cherishing the process of creating tangible, meaningful pieces for his community.
Returning to the Okanagan, Paul is eager to design bed headboards, bedside cabinets, and even paddleboards, while honing their skills alongside an experienced woodworker. He aims to meet the growing demand for furniture with curated, artisanal, and sustainable designs. He plans to run small courses to inspire the younger generation to explore creativity and embrace a positive outlook.
James’ Tutor Group
Aaron Meister
After 20-plus years working as a Director of Photography in film and advertising, Aaron decided to shift his focus to furniture and lighting design. Now operating under the studio name Dino, his creations blend modern forms with traditional, handmade elements, drawing inspiration from his California roots and from Mexico, where he currently lives.
Aaron collaborates with local craftspeople, using a variety of materials to create designs that harmonise with both modern and traditional settings, whilst maintaining a relaxed West Coast sensibility.
David Cathro
Before transitioning to woodworking, David worked in IT for a construction company based in Edinburgh. Although his background was in digital systems and problem-solving, he gradually felt drawn to more hands-on, creative work. This shift led him to the Chippendale School, where he discovered a profound connection to the processes, materials, and the fulfilment of crafting furniture with lasting significance.
David’s work is influenced by the clarity and restraint found in Scandinavian and Japanese design traditions. He draws inspiration from the natural characteristics of timber—its grain, texture, and the unique individuality of each piece of wood. By focusing on traditional joinery techniques and clean, balanced forms, his furniture aims to be both refined and understated.
After graduation, David plans to move into the graduate studios to begin building his own business, Furniture by Cathro. He will develop a personal body of work while also taking on bespoke commissions. His goal is to create furniture that reflects the rhythm of everyday life – objects that are functional, enduring, and rooted in craftsmanship.
Euan Craig
Euan Craig originally graduated with a degree in Sports Science but later transitioned into a career in data analysis within the finance sector. However, he eventually returned to his lifelong passion for woodworking. This interest began at the age of eight when Euan sharpened a screwdriver and, thanks to his parents’ patience, was allowed to carve miniature canoes and totem poles from his own bed frame.
Euan’s work is deeply influenced by the simplicity and precision of Japanese design, combined with organic forms and natural contours. Looking ahead, he aims to grow a business in Scotland that offers bespoke furniture, fitted furniture, and home decor.
Marine Foundrinier
Marine describes herself as a free spirit with a passion for travel. After exploring various countries, she settled in Scotland and decided to embark on her woodworking journey here at the Chippendale School.
Her main source of inspiration comes from mid-century furniture, focusing on curves that resemble those found in nature. Throughout her course, she has experimented with a wide range of techniques in her two projects: her first piece is crafted from solid American Black Walnut, while her second showcases a variety of veneering techniques.
After completing the course, Marine plans to return to France to continue the next chapter of her woodworking journey.
Ulfar Kristjonsson
As Ulfar explored various career paths, he found that his most rewarding experiences came from hands-on work that left behind something tangible and lasting. His interest in wood as a medium was always strong, but it was his time as a backcountry river guide that truly emphasised the beauty and resilience of wood. He learned to row wooden boats down the turbulent rivers of America’s West and to repair them when his routes through the rocky rapids went awry. This experience filled his mind with endless possibilities for working with wood, illustrating how form and function can dance harmoniously, much like a boat traversing the waves.
Ulfar has become inspired by both traditional joinery techniques and creative approaches that prompt people to ask, “Is that wood?!” His long-term plan is to start a furniture-making business specialising in innovative design, blending traditional woodworking techniques with a contemporary aesthetic.
Interested in attending the 2025 Graduate Exhibition and Fine Furniture Sale? Book your free ticket here.