Where do I start? I was born in London some 66 years ago and lived within the shadow of Chelsea Power Station, an area that was a little run down at that time, unlike now with its wine bars and bistros.

 One of 4 siblings, 2 elders managed to get to Grammar school, but I was destined for the secondary comprehensive school. At the age of 13 we moved across the Thames to live in surrey and I guess it was while I was at the said comp school that my interest in wood happened, possibly, at that time students were streamed, there were those that were academic and others were practical, no prizes for guessing which of the two I was.

After leaving school at 16 I took a job with a Theatre Lighting company and after many years and a couple of company changes, I eventually became Manager of the Special Optical Effects Department within the industry.

We moved to Suffolk some 32 years ago and I continued my career commuting to Cambridge from Stowmarket to work for a large West Country Theatrical equipment supplier as their Hire Manager.

To cut an exceptionally long story short, after approximately 32 years in the industry and a mental breakdown I left and eventually until I retired went to work for Suffolk Police in their supply stores.

I had workshop build for my son while he was training to be a cabinet maker and that’s where my love of wood really took off, under his guidance I made hardwood furniture for our home and the odd piece for friends and family,

To help supplement my pension I started to think of things I could make to sell, then my son bought me a book on animal puzzles, and so it started. It is not my intention to make a business out of this, it’s a hobby which I hope can pay for the materials and give me a little besides.

I have shown at a few craft fayres with little success but after talking to another crafter at one of those events I started to make items for her, and she also introduced me to Saladdays at The Barn within Nutshells. Things started to look up considerably with some of my puzzles going as far as Canada and the USA.

All good things come to an end though, due to Covid19 the barn will not be reopening after lock down. So I thought that I would try something with Instagram, and that’s where I came across you lovely people and I plucked up the courage to join MakersMarketFromHome, what a fantastic idea, a potential window to the world to show your products and hopefully gain some sales, so with some help from you Andy and Georgia, look out, here I come…

Watch our live chat with Ian on our IGTV Channel.

Instagram @ian_kurawoodworks