As the Times confirms “cool urbanites are into woodwork”, thriving West Country based entrepreneurial woodworking business J Smith Woodwork nods in agreement having featured in a YouTube video that has already received more than 100,000 views in the past 48 hours.
Jamie Smith and Rhiannon Adkins, owners of J Smith Woodwork which sits quietly on the Somerset/Dorset border, had no idea that woodwork would become the new “hipster” trend when they set up their bespoke handmade kitchens and furniture business in August 2015.
Rhiannon explains, “J Smith Woodwork is a business that has its roots firmly in the age old traditions of artisan craftsmanship but with a modern twist that has seen its bespoke handmade kitchens and furniture business start to branch out to embrace all the 21st century has to offer in terms of dynamic marketing and dedicated customer service.”
She continues, “In our rural workshop we are producing pieces of furniture that will stand the test of time; we are actively collaborating with and seeking out other like-minded businesses that share our love for working with living materials. ”
April Wilkerson, a well-known and popular YouTuber from Texas who specialises in producing videos on her own woodwork projects, is one such business who decided to come to the West Country to film her latest video at J Smith Woodwork. April found out about the work this dynamic couple are carrying out in a quiet corner of the West Country thanks to the fact that she and Jamie are both sponsored by Yeovil based Triton Tools and occasionally work as demonstrators at various woodworking exhibitions taking place across the world.
Jamie commented, “We have seen how much interest there is in working with natural materials like a piece of wood and people are keen to learn about using their skill to hone it into something unique and special that they can actually use but at the same time forge a connection with because they made it. When April came to the workshop we created a simple solid wood stool together and the video has been watched by over 100,000 people in the past 48 hours. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/kEk3cSnERNE
“This just shows how much interest there is in woodwork. We have now posted the plans online so that anyone can buy them for just £8 and make their own stool: http://jsmithwoodworkshop.
Rhiannon and Jamie are also about to start hosting woodworking workshops which will enable anyone with an interest in finding out about what’s involved to come along to a two day session and receive personal tuition from Jamie.
Rhiannon says, “Enrolling on one of our courses means people will really be able to taste life as a furniture maker and see how we draw inspiration from the natural surroundings like the beautiful house timbers used to construct the century’s old farm buildings around our workshop, and the ever changing light and seasons, the different hues and moods of the wood are enhanced by nature giving every piece of furniture a subtle nod towards its roots.”
The business is a great example of a very traditional business using up to date marketing tools to really connect with its audience. J Smith Woodwork has its very own YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/