About me
In 2020, like many others, I felt the need for a change in direction. At the time, I was a director at The Art House Southampton, a not-for-profit community venue and events space. While my work there was important, I always knew my real talent lay in craftsmanship—so I decided to enrol in the Musical Instrument FdA at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation.
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Music has always been at the core of my life—as a player, a nerd for engineering and production, a performer, a teacher… and now, a maker. I love that my journey with music spans from shaping raw wood into instruments to the final touches of VFX and editing on a music video—and everything in between.​
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Devin Valentine: Luthier, Maker, Musician
​​I half-joke that doing my degree was just a way to justify my ever-expanding, eclectic instrument collection. I just love instruments—plucked, bowed, bashed, or blown. Pair that with my compulsion to tinker, fix, and learn, and I’ve ended up with a broad expertise that allows me to set up, tune up, and repair almost any instrument under the sun.
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As a neurodivergent, queer, and trans maker, I bring a unique perspective to my work—one that values adaptability, accessibility, and innovation. Whether it’s ensuring an instrument setup suits a player’s physical needs or designing tools that make musicians' lives easier, I love finding creative solutions that make music more accessible for everyone.
In recognition of my dedication to traditional craftsmanship, I was honoured to receive a Heritage Craft Training Bursary, celebrating my work in lutherie and commitment to preserving and evolving the art of instrument making. This helped me through my final semester at West Dean, and I fully endorse Heritage Crafts as a caring and supportive organisation dedicated to enabling individuals in pursuit of crafts.
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After graduating, I began the challenge of building a home workshop—and somehow ended up with a 3D printer along the way. That led me to learn 3D modelling and design, and it turns out I have a knack for product development. Now, my services have expanded even further, with a growing line of luthier tools and musician's accessories. My first official product, the Wingnut Wrangler, is just the beginning.
