A PASSION FOR WOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT

I'm Will and I'm a trained craft carpenter working in the Derwent Valley.    

Wherever possible I use reclaimed and local wood - I've even been known to recycle Christmas trees into useful things!  In the early days of my business I approached a local fencing company for their unwanted timber.  I made a few things from the wood and started to get interest from friends and locals.  My business grew from there and I now work in a custom workshop producing a range of off-the-shelf and bespoke items.

MY STORY

I spent my childhood watching my father creating all sorts of items around our home. He was a welder, trained at Consett Iron Company, and could create in almost any material he was given.  From school through to University I gravitated towards manufacture, studying Design and Technology at the University of Sunderland.

After leaving University I spent four years in industrial style workshops creating and testing lots of different products, implementing policy and improving on existing production methods.

I'd always found the more formal, office-based work challenging and in 2015, after 10 years of seeking support, I was diagnosed with autism.  Rather than looking at the negative side of being on the autistic spectum I looked to the positive and decided to focus on what was my true passion: wood craft and carpentry.  It's the perfect outlet for my love of a challenge, my logical approach and eye for detail.

Working from a spare room in my house I took on small commissions and slowly built up my portfolio and expanded my tools and equipment.  I am now working from a custom workshop in Chopwell Community Centre which means I've been able to take on a wider range of projects.

ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE

To support the 3Rs (Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse) I try to  source timber that would either be scrapped or burnt and I reinvigorate these old materials into something new.  I've made chopping boards from old kitchen worktops and doors, and I've upcycled unloved tables into

something to be cherished.

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