Butch and Braces
WINNER Kirstie's Handmade Christmas Toy Competition 2020
Where did it start
I come from a crafty family, and we have always been bought up to make do and mend. I started making things we needed round the house such as beds, tables, shelves etc. Most were very practical in design, and lacked the finesse I strive to achieve today. One bed was so high that we had to jump and roll in order to get in, and we aren't the tallest people in the world. It did have awesome storage options underneath though.
In preparation of putting our old house on the market, I started watching YouTube videos to learn how to do basic jobs around the house. I really enjoy the challenge of figuring our how to do something, then seeing the results actually working in practice. I started getting tools to do odd jobs, and as my tool collection grew, so did my passion to make things, especially things that no one else had. A dedicated space was on the checklist of must haves when looking for a new house, and in December 2019 we moved. The property hadn't been touched since the 80's, but it did have a workshop in the garden. With a space to leave my tools set-up, and no chance of filling a kitchen with sawdust, I am able to let my imagination and creativity run wild.
What I do
I make woodworking projects, and make all sorts of things from chopping boards to cabinets to bowls. My favourite tool is my lathe, and I enjoy making a variety of projects. Most of the wood I use is reclaimed, and I usually spend my Saturday afternoons at the Wood Recycling Center picking out bits of hardwood to use in projects. I enjoy making things that are a little bit quirky, and my favourite projects are normally ones I've done just to say I can.
I share updates and items I make for sale on my social media accounts, and film some of my projects to share on YouTube.
Where the name came from
When I first thought woodturning was for me I asked my partners dad who is a woodturner if I could try his lathe to see how I got on.
We arranged a date, I found some wood, and started looking at designs to turn. As the date got nearer I would get messages to remember to bring different bits of safety equipment; hard hat, safety boots, eye protection, spider cream.....the whole belt and braces.
When I started to create more of more pieces, I started social media accounts to share my work. Those of you who know me, know I'm proudly butch and I love a good pun, therefore Butch and Braces was born
Retro Rocket Pencil Case
