Enjoy - Marvel & Experience!
Since I was a child, I have felt a deep fascination for ancient crafts and creativity. Why buy something when you can do it yourself? From glassblowing to pottery to carpentry: I wanted to try it all. Although a self-sufficient farm was always a dream, I found my passion in woodworking.
My love for farm life is still there. After training in biodynamic agriculture at the Warmonderhof in Dronten, I ran a farm for more than nine years on the beautiful island of Texel. In 2019, I decided to leave the Netherlands together with my family for a great adventure.
After a trip of almost a year through France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, we returned to the Dordogne. There, we spent several seasons working with pleasure in a campsite, and finally, we decided to settle there.
From hobby to passion: the path to my know-how
With the French mentality and the peaceful life in the Dordogne, we found our place. From our rented house, I had the opportunity to start my workshop. This is where the adventure really began: working with wood became much more than just a hobby.
My love for wood goes back a long way. In my spare time, I made everything from chicken coops and jewelry to cutting boards and gifts for friends. Together with my wife Baukje, we converted several buses and campers, which strengthened our creativity and bond. Friends and family had been encouraging me for years to use my skills more professionally, but I hesitated. Should I turn my passion into my job?
From the first order to my own business
The winter of 2022/2023 was a turning point. After years of making wooden objects in my spare time, the previous owner of our house gave me some machines as a thank you for my help. Shortly after, someone asked me to make a cabinet from two antique doors and a drawer as a base. I decided to take on the challenge.
What started as a single order quickly turned into several requests. That's when I knew: this is what I want to do. Make people happy with unique, handmade creations, and no longer do it as a hobby, but as my own business. I immediately invested the income from these first orders in better machines. As a perfectionist, I don't settle for anything less than a perfect end result.
Each piece tells a story
Baukje still helps me regularly in the workshop, not only because extra hands are useful, but also because we love working together. When I get stuck in my creativity or perfectionism, she always knows how to get me back into the right flow.
In my 20 m² workshop, everything is on wheels to optimize the space. When the weather permits, I work with the doors open and enjoy the sun while being busy. Now, I spend almost all my time in the workshop, where I create varied and beautiful projects for people. And the fact that I can make it my job seems like a dream come true!
Each piece I create tells its own story. In the gallery you will find my latest creations, made with love and know-how, which I update regularly.
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I invite you to take a look and share with me my passion for woodworking!