When did you set up your business and why?
I’ve always been creative from a very young age, but as I got older, I discovered woodworking.
In the beginning (about 25 years ago), I made clocks and what I called penny and pebble tables, which are now called river tables.
I was a florist for 20 years and when coloured inks became available for use in resin, I used my love of colour to start my resin art journey.
Can you explain your process?
My core products are my cheese and charcuterie boards. These I make myself from scratch. We have some beautiful wood here in Ireland and I mainly use beech and ash.
I’m obsessed with the sea, which is strange for someone who lives in the midlands and this is why my resin art has so much blue.
Resin is a fluid art and goes on the consistency of single cream before curing into a hard-wearing finish. All the boards are finished with a food grade oil to bring up the true beauty of wood.
What is your best seller?
My best sellers are my cheese and charcuterie boards.
I also do wall art and other homewares, though I am being asked to do more and more commission pieces.
What is it about your business that brings you joy?
I’ve always loved being creative, but it became a bit of a lifesaver during COVID.
I also work in agri retail and worked throughout the lockdowns. It was absolutely mental and being able to just turn on a power tool or pour resin after work, it helped me relax and unwind and, in a way, forget what was going on at the time.
What are your hopes for 2023?
My hopes for 2023 are to continue to grow my business and continue to push the boundaries in what you can do with resin.
There are new resins and inks being developed every year and although my inks are water-based and I use a non-toxic resin, hopefully pretty soon there will be eco resins that are durable enough to use for homewares.
I’ve also been lucky with the craft shops and galleries that I supply and hopefully I’ll get a few more!
What advice would you give to another start-up?
My advice to new start-ups is that unless you’re incredibly lucky or that you are in the right place at the right time, it takes time, patience and very thick skin to develop your business. Every day is a learning day!
Visit https://www.fsdesign-resinartist.com/