Jo Barlow makes handcrafted lyres to an ancient design. Each lyre is made from wood that is a serendipity. It is wood left from the building of something else, wood found lying in the forest, wood by the wayside, that is rescued and then fashioned to fulfill its potential into something beautiful, lasting and harmonious.

   The lyre pictured is made from oak, but lyres can be crafted out of a variety of woods. It is inspired by the Saxon lyre, but historical reproductions can also be made. They have a rich clear tone and are related to the harp.

To hear the lyre, press play (apologies for the current background hiss, but an impression can be gained).

  Jo also makes handcrafted m’biras or thumb pianos to a traditional African design.

Attention to detail and artistry ensure that they look as well as sound beautiful.

To hear the m’bira, press play.

Each musical instrument is different as the wood used to make it has its own character, as does the recycled metal and other parts. The lyre  pictured is £150, as is the m’bira. Each piece comes with a history of the particular tree from which it came (they are all remembered), and ‘how that piece of wood made it to the saw bench’. Each is a work of art in its own right. 

   Like to make your own? Workshops to make an instrument are 5 days long, either consecutively or one day a week for 5 weeks.

   To commission a course to run for others, enquire about arranging one, or attend a scheduled one, e-mail here.

  For workshops on Woodcarving, please e-mail the link below. 

  Workshops are 3 days for an introductory course, or 5 days for an in depth course.

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