When I moved to Brighton, back in 2003, I stumbled upon the Brighton Wood Store, then located on Circus Street (now a block of flats). The moment I commissioned them to craft two trunks for my back garden from scaffold boards, I felt an immediate connection.
Every visit to the Brighton Wood Store enveloped me in a sense of calm and relaxation, surrounded by reclaimed and recycled wood.
This sparked my interest in woodworking, and I began exploring other artisans creating home furniture from wood. I was inspired by their success in making meaningful, recycled products that brought joy to many customers.
Whenever I visited the beach, I collected souvenirs of driftwood, flotsam, and waste wood scattered along our local Sussex beaches. I was fascinated by the texture, character, color, and journey each piece of wood had undergone before landing on the shore. While many saw these pieces as waste or firewood, I saw potential.
My collection of wood grew in my Brighton backyard. One day, I decided to create something out of it. I framed a piece titled “Love” and crafted a driftwood sunburst in memory of my mother. These initial creations ignited the idea of adopting woodworking as a side hustle.
I set up a micro-workshop outside my garden shed. My workbench was a reclaimed table, and I worked whenever it wasn’t raining—a challenge in the UK. I experimented with different tools and constantly sought ways to streamline my processes for better quality and efficiency. My early products were proof of concepts—basic yet meaningful.
My first order on Oceanic Woodstore and Etsy was a resin shelf for a customer named Virna, who has been a significant supporter since then. As sales grew, I realised that working out of a shed wasn’t sustainable. I needed a proper workspace to improve my workflow and support my business growth.
After contacting various workspaces, I reconnected with Ian from the WERKS group. He suggested a workspace in Kemp Town, although it was in a terrible state due to the previous tenants. It took me a week to clean and organise the space, but eventually, it became the new HQ of Oceanic Woodstore.
In 2024, I moved in and received the keys. A characterful chair with a wooden frame and green velvet cushion sat in the corner. I spent my first few days sitting there, reflecting on my journey. Despite the doubts and questions, everything felt right in Brighton — it felt like home.
Since February, the quality of my work has improved dramatically. Every day is a learning experience. I am grateful for the support of my customers, both online and local, who visit my workshop to learn about my passion and craftsmanship.
Upgrading my tools and equipment has significantly enhanced the quality of my products. I have a clear roadmap for the future and draw inspiration from peers on social platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
My skills are self-taught, and I continuously refine my techniques through practice and iteration, much like my previous work as a web developer. The future is uncertain, but I believe wood will continue to ground and touch people’s souls with its organic, rustic, and timeless appeal.
Thank you for being part of my journey at Oceanic Woodstore. Together, we can create something beautiful and sustainable.
