Liz Child
I moved to rural Ceredigion primarily for lifestyle reasons in 2001, initially working with people with mental health problems as part of a project based in Lampeter which offered therapy through craft tuition and workshops.
With my lifelong interest in forestry I was looking for a way to generate a self-employed income from this interest. I was lucky enough to find a tutor to teach me the art of ‘bodging’ which essentially sowed the seed of my business venture ‘Natural Chairs’.
The old woodland management skills of the artisan coppicer/furniture maker have only been gone for 75 years, and Natural Chairs works towards local examples of that heritage being restored in Wales. I use traditional hand-crafting methods with pole-lathe, shave-horse and traditional hand tools.
It is my ethos to practice minimal environmental impact and sustainablity, and demonstrate that contemporary styles can be achieved using traditional methods. I take commissions for making original pieces of furniture.
Prime Cymru was enthusiastic about my business idea and were able to help me in the setting up of my business. They also assisted me with seeking part-time employment to help me financially until my business took off. They directed me towards a vacancy with Hafal, an organisation in Ceredigion who support people with mental health problems into independent living.
