Sharon Earl’s Bedside Table

Tell us a bit about yourself. I am an artist. I work in all manner of materials but I’m best known for my steel sculpting – creating filigree-style works using mild steel rod. I also draw and do woodworking, sign writing, and can pretty much turn my hand to almost anything. In recent times I have built a loom and have dipped my toe into weaving wool and, with the help of an industrial sewing machine, leatherworking. I’ve worked as a welder at an engineering company in the past, so I could build you a trailer if you wanted me to. I was lucky to get a brain that finds practical tasks endlessly enjoyable. I live in downtown Amberley, in the oldest home in town (built in 1864, the year Amberley was established).

On my bedside table right now is...

A collection of books, all non-fiction, gathered at random for the rare opportunity that they may be perused. One book, Plants for the People, has a beautiful inscription inside the cover written by my daughter. A treasure. My cottage is small and mostly uninsulated, so my bed is where I usually choose to sit when I come inside for a coffee break and the house is uncomfortably cold. I make my coffee, jump in bed, sitting upright, and draw problem-solving doodles or write to-do lists on the back of an unopened envelope, whilst listening to a YouTube interview. Occasionally I have a need to read, mostly to glean some practical information. All 'sit downs' are the length of a coffee break. There is no time rhythm to when coffee breaks take place. I often work bizarre hours working to deadlines, so coffee may be brewed at 1am before heading back to work in the shed behind my home. Even to me, my life doesn't often seem sensible.

Other current table bric-a-brac includes a transistor radio in the form of a Bell tea box (a mail-order, coupon-redeemed purchase by my grandfather in the 1980s); a candle, made by my daughter; a box of long Samba matches. (All three of these items are specifically there at arm’s reach as a consequence of/response to the earthquake years – emergency provisions.)

Also, an unopened envelope with engineering problem-solving doodles and some super random items from my work jacket pockets including a short length of steel rod, a brilliant set of custom pliers and a worn piece of engineers’ chalk.

And finally, the numbers 2 and 3, sculpted in some long-forgotten moment for some long-forgotten reason. My two sons are both born on the 23rd of their months so the 23 reminds me of them.