In 1970 at the age of twenty-six Richard Raffan abandoned a successful career in the London wine trade to go woodturning — about which he knew nothing. He was never a hobby turner but reckoned if he developed good technical skills, he’d earn a living by selling what he enjoyed making. And that’s what he’s done since 1970, first in Britain and then, from 1982, in Australia. Since 1973 Raffan's bowls, boxes, and sets of spillikins have been purchased for major public and private collections worldwide.Since the publication of Turning Wood with Richard Raffan in 1984, Richard Raffan has become a renowned teacher of his craft, been a featured presenter at numerous symposiums and led over 450 hands-on workshops mostly in North America and Europe. His classic books and videos have each impacted on woodturning techniques and design worldwide.Raffan was born in Devon, raised in Sydney and Devon, and now lives in Canberra, Australia. www.richardraffan.com