Why Paparwark?

The vision for the company is summed up in its name “Paparwark”.

Paparwark means priestly work. Papar was an old Norse name for the Celtic monks living in Shetland before the Vikings. After reading some of their history and seeing work like the St Ninian's isle treasure I was inspired. They were not only deeply spiritual men but also very creative and could work to a very high degree of skill and detail. They loved the land and the way in which they travelled showed exceptional daring and faith.

I was brought up overlooking the St. Ninian’s Isle Chapel. My Christian experience has caused me to become more creative and I love making beautiful things. I also love the land and growing things, including experimenting with growing trees which I hope will be a resource for the future. If not in time for my work then a local resource for future Shetland craftsmen and women.

In my work I’ve tried to embrace recycling wherever possible. Our waste sawdust is used by a local company as one of the ingredients for compost used in a tree nursery. A great use of our waste, completing the cycle of growth.

I also love to travel and have found life itself to be an exciting journey, one which we can embrace with faith and daring like the Celtic monks of old.

I hope you are inspired by our work and that we may be able to work with you to create something beautiful, creative, spiritual and unique.

Each piece I create has a story behind it meaning that customers are buying into a fragment of Shetland’s history and culture, not just purchasing an item of furniture.