Stephen Ricketts Visually Impaired Wood Turner

Stephen Ricketts Visually Impaired Wood Turner Stephen Ricketts is a visually impaired woodturner from Llanelli, Wales. I’m Stephen, a woodturner based in Llanelli, Wales.

As the first registered blind tutor of woodturning in Wales, he creates handcrafted pieces and teaches others to discover confidence and creativity at the lathe. After losing my sight at the age of fifty, I discovered a new way to experience the world, through the sound, feel, and scent of wood on the lathe. What began as a personal challenge quickly became a lifelong passion. I now create all sorts of work, from hand-turned bowls and benches to sensory toys and baby rattles. Every piece is shaped by touch and intuition, making each item unique and guided by the character of wood. I’m proud to be Wales’ first accredited registered-blind tutor of woodturning, teaching both individuals and groups, including other visually impaired makers. I also give talks and demonstrations, sharing how woodturning can build confidence, connection, and creativity. As a member of the Association of Wood Turners of Great Britain and the Llanelli Woodturning Club, I’ve been fortunate to win several local competitions, but the real reward for me is inspiring others to have a go. Losing my sight didn’t close a door; it opened a new one. I want others to know that being visually impaired doesn’t mean life has to stop, it can expand in ways you’d never expect. If I can get just one person to believe they can do woodturning, then it’s all been worth it. All my pieces are made by hand in my workshop in Llanelli, South Wales. I'll be setting up an online shop soon where I'll be selling my items, but if you have anything bespoke in mind that you would like to commission, please get in touch.

13/09/2026

Had a go at turning two identical tumbler comments welcome

Hi all friends I was given some pitch pine from a old church . When I came to turn it the first thing I notice was the s...
09/09/2026

Hi all friends I was given some pitch pine from a old church . When I came to turn it the first thing I notice was the smell and then the het from the chisel was melting the sap now this wood is over 100 years old . I made there lovely pots comments welcome

09/08/2026

Finish A 400 m platter made from purple heart with a old 2 penny on base please share with me your comments welcome . Be kind in your comments I am visually impaired turn by sound and touch and turning of the lathe many times 👍

07/08/2026

Turning a 400 m purple heart blank in to a platter done the base looks amazing cannot wait until I turn it round to turn out the centre of it comments welcome

I’ve started my new project for this month first I need to cut off 10 m my hight bed is 400 m comments welcome thank yo...
04/08/2026

I’ve started my new project for this month first I need to cut off 10 m my hight bed is 400 m comments welcome thank you

A young lady from London was in the gower show today watching me demonstrating how to turn a bowl blank in to a wonderfu...
02/08/2026

A young lady from London was in the gower show today watching me demonstrating how to turn a bowl blank in to a wonderful bowl she was very impressed and ask lots of questions so I gave the bowl to her as a gift to take back home and talk about 👍

Had a great day today at llanarthne show ground made lots of new friends spoke to possible new club members I was demon...
01/08/2026

Had a great day today at llanarthne show ground made lots of new friends spoke to possible new club members I was demonstrating with Pete and Claire 👍

I am getting there my trophies 🏆 corner is starting to fill up
26/07/2026

I am getting there my trophies 🏆 corner is starting to fill up

Had a great day today at Trap agricultural show won best in show in the woodturning category. The photo with me with the...
25/07/2026

Had a great day today at Trap agricultural show won best in show in the woodturning category. The photo with me with the shield in was last year me at the Pontarddulais agricultural . They will be more coming finger’s crossed 🤞 lol

18/07/2026

In Axminster tools store today demonstrating my skills .A thank you to Chris for taking me to Axminster enjoyed very much .Thank you to the staff and Matt for looking after us in your store cannot wait to next time 👍

Address

Llanelli

Telephone

+447582647740

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