Meet Our Makers - C G WoodCrafts
Carrie Gallimore aka CG WoodCrafts is a female woodturner and pyrographer based in Staffordshire, who uses locally sourced materials as much as possible. She also tries to reuse and repurpose where she can to ensure no scraps go to waste.
For our next blog in the ‘Meet Our Makers’ series I’ve been chatting to Carrie Gallimore aka CG WoodCrafts. What started out as a way to channel her creativity and make unique and personal gifts for family and friends soon became a business allowing her to work around her family and share her creations with a wider audience. We can’t wait to welcome Carrie back to Tissington Craft Fairs in 2023.
Hi Carrie, it’s lovely to talk to you today. When did you first try your hand at woodturning and pyrography?
I have always been a crafty person and enjoy learning new skills and ways to create. Wood working was an interest I got from my Dad and Grandad. Watching them tinker on projects and helping out where I could started what would become a hobby and a way for me to create handmade gifts for friends and family. As long as I can remember I have been fascinated with wood. I found pyrography while searching for ideas for my wedding and although I never actually got to use the technique to make anything for the day, from the first go I was hooked and it quickly became a hobby expanding my woodcrafts. The turning started more recently when I got my lathe in 2020. Again from the start I was hooked, its been a steep learning curve but something that I thoroughly enjoy.
CG WoodCrafts at Tissington Craft Fair in 2022.
At what stage did you decide to turn your passion into a business and what was your inspiration to start it?
My business started because of my daughter. I left my career in motorbike sales when I had my children. When they got older and started school it was time to think about careers again. My hobby had expanded passed handmade gifts for family and I was doing a few pieces locally to friends and was toying with the idea of making it a business, which deep down I think I have always wanted. My daughter announced to everyone she could that I was starting a business and gave me the push to actually do it and I am so glad that I did.
I am now a work from home, stay at home mum working full time on my passions around my family.
Where do your creations come to life?
I work from home in the Staffordshire countryside where I have a workshop and my current “office space” is a corner of my dining room. Hopefully by the start of summer I will be working out of my very own office space when our house extension is completed.
What do you love to do in your spare time and how does this influence your finished products?
As a family we are very into nature and the great outdoors. We like adventures and walking through the woods with the dog. Nature is a big influence on my work. I get to tie this is in with my love of reading (which is where the bookmarks come from). There’s nothing better that curling up with a good book and getting lost in the adventure. Story time and cuddles are a big thing in our house.
When I’m not reading, walking, getting lost in the woods or playing with the kids I like to bake and knit. It’s a great way to reset and relax.
“Nature is a big influence on my work. I get to tie this is in with my love of reading, which is where the bookmarks come from”. Carrie Gallimore, CG WoodCrafts.
Running a small business is a lot harder than it looks, what do you find is the trickiest part of the process for you?
The trickiest part for me is the social media side. I prefer to crack on and get working and putting myself out there on social media is out of my comfort zone.
I like to work with wood as I find it, creating pieces with what I have available, reusing, repurposing as much as possible so sometimes sourcing materials can be difficult. Deciding what to do with the materials I have can be very challenging at times.
Do you have a favourite type of wood to work with?
My favourite woods I have worked with so far are Laburnum, Yew, Purple Heart, Cherry and Goncalo Alves but any wood with an interesting grain pattern. I like to see each piece coming to life.
Which of your creations are you most proud of and why?
I like all the pieces I make but the one I am most proud of is a pyrography piece I did for my dad. It was a birthday gift and also a memorial piece for my Grandad. It was an RAF Sunderland, which my Grandad was a Tail Gunner in during WW2. The piece was hand burned onto A4 Birch ply and I made the frame to finish it off. It was a very personal piece and the whole process of researching images, completing, finishing and handing over was an amazing process.
Do you remember your very first sale? And how does it feel when someone chooses to buy your work?
My first official sale as a business was a small item but made me so happy. I made a fabric coin purse with a personalised pyrography keyring to go with it. I did a happy dance and still do a happy dance every time I get a sale.
I take pride in my work so every sale big or small is important to me. It’s a great feeling to hear that “ping ping” on your phone to let you know you’ve had a sale, I still do a happy dance every time.
It’s a feeling that can only be topped at the craft fairs and markets. Being able to talk to someone face to face and tell them the background of the piece. You get to talk to them about how it came about, what it’s made from and watch them study it and appreciate it. You get feedback straight away, if it’s being purchased as a gift you get to be a part of that, a part of the surprise and spreading happiness.
My favourite moments so far are when someone is trying to buy a present without their partner or parents noticing. I’m very good at being top secret super sneaky and it’s great being at part of the fun. So far I think there’s been three occasions where the item has been chosen, paid for, wrapped and handed over like we were in a spy film.
“Safety first at all times protect your eyes, ears and lungs”. Carrie Gallimore, GC WoodCrafts.
What can our customers look forward to seeing in 2023? Do you have any new products in the pipeline?
My plan for 2023 is to make my own boxes. I’d love to bring band saw boxes and keepsake boxes into my collection. Its something I am working on.
Also I am working on my social media and plan to be brave and show off more behind the scenes and more of the processes.
And finally what’s your advice for anyone, male or female, who may be thinking of trying woodturning for the first time?
If you are considering it make sure you have a well lit, well ventilated work area or access to one. Even you if you say to yourself “I’m only going to do….” you will end up doing more!
Safety first at all times protect your eyes, ears and lungs.
Don’t let the negative nellies get to you. Everyone starts somewhere. Trust the process, even if it looks like it’s going wrong just keep going. It can usually develop or be transformed into something else. Think Bob Ross and his “happy little accidents”. I’ve had many a Christmas tree turn into a mushroom or bowl that is now a very nice coaster.
Take your time, find your groove, keep safe and go with it.
And from a ladies point of view, there are more lady wood workers, turners and crafters than you think.
Pyrography Earrings and turned Twig Vases by CG WoodCrafts.