Indigo Woodworks
If you haven’t had a chance to look into issue five of Dwelling Magazine yet, I would like to introduce you to the first topic: Restoring.
This topic came from a love of gardening and the natural desire to create and share the fruit of my labour. The Restoring section is intended to be a tranquil space for local and international artists to share what they create, and whether it brings joy to their own lives or if it was a place to share their passion with a wider community.
Restoring is the introductory topic of Dwelling, and sets the reader up for a welcoming, calm and slow paced space. A place of contemplation, a place to sit quietly, ponder and rest your feet. To repair, to give, and to return. Restoring is the soil of which that makes Dwelling, and I thought I would start this new blog series with a behind-the-scenes look into Indigo Woodworks, as seen on page 13+14.
Upon arrival
I had the pleasure of meeting Andy and Tess, who run stool making workshops once or twice a month in their shed in the Indigo Valley. After a dusty drive weaving through peeling eucalyptus trees, I made it to their welcoming home.
I nervously reached out to their Instagram page, hoping they would say yes to letting me interview them about Andy’s craft. We arranged a call, and they were so kind, I felt so relieved and comfortable to take the risk 0f driving 60 minutes to their property. There’s always a little bit of doubt that someone may not respond or are not interested in being a part of your project, and I’ve had my share of rejections since starting Dwelling. But you never know what will happen for you unless you send that message! Andy and Tess definitely responded with grace.
Their house sits up on a hill, and you can see across the Indigo Valley, over grey hills and farmland. It was beautiful, especially as the sun started to set. The grapevines were a vibrant purple, their garden was turning to seed, and the dirt still dry from the summer heat.
Tess bakes delicious treats for the students, and on this weekend, their lunch was a fresh tray of nachos, and for afternoon tea we shared a warm strawberry pie with cups of tea. This was when the sun disappeared behind the house. A mid-autumn chill was creeping.
Andy was super attentive to the students, showing them the method of each step, stepping back to let them have a go, and only stepping back in to stabilise or guide them in the right direction for success. The students were patient, and looked chuffed at the completion of their projects.
The sun beamed into the shed, making the stools glow with life after their first layer of oil.
Before departure
When I visited their property, they were working on a larger shed to host more students for future workshops, which I believe is complete now!
Sign up on their website today to book yourself a spot in their stool making workshop, bask in the warmth of their company, and sit back and have a cuppa, enjoying the process of making something you can take home and cherish forever.
I want to give the wood making a go myself.
I wish Tess, Andy, Bonnie and Tucker all the best, and I appreciate their hospitality and allowing me to share their story through Dwelling.
Thank you for being here 💛
Danielle J. France
artist, writer, editor
