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©Workshop by Tom
©Workshop by Tom
©Workshop by Tom
©Workshop by Tom

Thomas Koumarakos

  • Woodworker
  • Corfu, Greece
  • Master Artisan
Thomas Koumarakos Woodworker
Contact
Greek, Italian
Hours:
Daily 9:00 - 19:00 (June to September); Monday to Saturday 8:00 -15:00 (October to May)
Phone:
+30 2661046683
©Workshop by Tom

Olive wood for everyday use

  • • Thomas opened his first workshop in 1969
  • • He works only with local olive wood
  • • Hand tools are his favourites

Thomas Koumarakos has been running his wood workshop for over 50 years. Located on the Greek island of Corfu, he handcrafts a wide variety of everyday objects: cookware, pepper mills and chess sets, among many others. All items are made exclusively from olive wood which is then finished with olive oil. The abundance of this tree in Corfu allows him a local production. Thomas' approach to woodcarving remains straightforward: he likes to work using only a few hand tools, such as chisels and knives. “I don't have any specific techniques. As I often tell my clients, I'll gladly do any order, any design”. The fascination Thomas has for woodcarving has remained intact over his many years of experience: “This craft fulfils me. I couldn’t do anything else.”

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Workshop by Tom
  • ©Workshop by Tom
  • ©Workshop by Tom
  • ©Workshop by Tom
  • ©Workshop by Tom
Photo: ©Workshop by Tom
Series of pepper mills

Entirely handcrafted, these three pepper mills were made on a wood lathe and shaped with chisels. This object requires very precise carving so that the mechanism can be integrated into it. After being assembled, each piece is finished with an olive oil coating.

Photo: ©Workshop by Tom
Wooden bowl

This wooden bowl designed for fruit, or salad, is made entirely by hand. Several techniques were involved in the making process: the material was first shaped with an adze, an ancient wooden tool, and then rubbed with sandpaper over three different stages. Afterwards, the object was worked with wire, and finally, coated with olive oil.

Height 12 cm
Diameter 33 cm

Photo: ©Workshop by Tom
Vase

This handcrafted vase was made entirely of olive wood from Corfu. Several steps were involved in its creation. The material was first carved using a wood lathe and a chisel. It was then rubbed several times with sandpaper. Lastly, the vase was finished with a coat of olive oil.

Photo: ©Workshop by Tom
Salad bowl

This salad bowl was made from an olive tree root. The object was carved entirely by hand. A few steps were involved in the making process: the wood was cut with an adze, a traditional tool for shaping wood. It was then rubbed with sandpaper and worked with wire. Finally, a coat of olive oil was applied as a finish.

Photo: ©Workshop by Tom
Salad bowl and servers

Made of olive wood, this salad bowl was entirely handcrafted, using very few tools. It was carved with chisels, then further shaped with sandpaper through several stages. It was then worked with wire, before finally being coated with a layer of olive oil.

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