19 April 2012

A Conversation with Dave of Fernwood New Zealand




Making stunning and practical items from beautiful natural resource - New Zealand Black Mamaku wood (aka Ponga Fern tree wood).  You could say Fernwood embodies New Zealand in a vase .... large jar, wall clock, tealight holder!  Fernwood have just opened a factory / studio shop in Cambridge - give Dave a call on 0800 697 6642 if you're a group keen on a studio tour too!

Who is Fernwood?

Dave Gratwicke, my customers call me The Pongaman (how dodgy is that!) & friends call me Boots.


What’s your “handmade groove ?”

Made by nature, crafted by hand……………


What’s on your bedside table right now? (hey, no tidying up or censoring)

A Bedside lamp, a Black Mamaku drinks coaster, a nail file and a National Geographic Mag.


Who are your creative role models? What music, books, images, poetry spark your creative fire?

Sting, Wilbur Smith, wild life & bush imagery and all things hobbity!


What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?

Personal development –relationships, strategies & issues,
Solving the world’s problems.
Astrology (some times).


If you could go to three free workshops/creative events this year which ones would they be? What are they about?

Practical Computer skills for small business (a how too on internet, web sites, blogging etc),
Photography for dummies,
Sustainable living for families’ course would be good (I spend my life switching off lights, and sorting through recycling).


How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?

Being a husband and father comes first above all else (being self employed gives me this freedom), practical hands on money in the till work second, and creative endeavors third, wish this could be different, but then nothing would get done!


What is your favorite creative screw-up?

I don’t know that I have a favorite, but I certainly have a most expensive……guess that means I learned something!


Kitchen table or studio?

Studio


Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?

My needs are few, my wants not so much…….keeping it real, and living within my means, priceless.








You can find Fernwood New Zealand products ... here
And follow on Facebook ... here  (Psst... Fernwood are running a competition right now with an amazing prize featuring a unique product just for you ....for further details visit ..https://www.facebook.com/FernwoodNZ/app_204453392997006

3 comments:

We love hearing what you have to say, please feel welcome to leave your comments...