Tell us more about your workshops. Why take the time to bring people into the outdoors?
The workshops are a way for us to share knowledge and get people, particularly fellow creative folks, outside and reconnecting with nature and the environment through making things. For us, it was kind of an accident or through a series of serendipitous events that we became so immersed in outdoor life, and we’ve been really fortunate to get involved in activities that would not be considered the norm for illustrators or designers. So we wanted to provide a platform that would give other people like us the opportunity to try their hand at some new skills and to learn to look at nature in more detail in a fun and non-intimidating environment.
We’ve found that people respond very well to spending a day in the woods—making things with their bare hands and taking a break from their computer screens—and tend to go home feeling recharged and inspired. And it’s rewarding to be able to facilitate that. On a grander scale I think it’s important that we become more connected with nature and the outdoors from an environmental and conservation point of view; the more you learn about the complexities of nature and enjoy spending time out of doors the more you come to realize the importance of protecting it. Making things in the woods is a good entry point into spending more time outside and discovering some of the ridiculous things that nature is up to on a daily basis. At least it certainly was for us and we hope it will be for others. We’re not naïve enough to think that making a few wooden cups or whatever outside is going to save the planet, but you’ve got to try something and start somewhere.
Do you make every single product yourselves?
Yep, everything apart from the products on which we collaborate with other makers, like our camp stool for example. I make all the wooden products, many of which are made from wood harvested by myself as part of forestry work I’m involved in, and Emma makes all our fabric items, rucksacks, and pouches. We make everything in very small numbers to keep things exclusive. I do all the design and illustration and most of the photography too, so we’re really very small and independent.
What is your favorite activity to do outside, whether in or out of town?
We kind of live in the middle of nowhere and honestly our favorite outdoor activity is probably drinking beers by the campfire or stove in the woods at home.