Introducing the Rustic Wood Design Studio!

Back in 2008, Shelly Wright left 20 years in social care behind to follow her dream of becoming a paramedic.  It was exactly what she'd hoped for, working hands on as she directly helped people.  Being 'small but mighty', she was never one to shirk a challenge and could be quite often found lugging around heavy equipment and riding unicycles (we're assuming this was on her days off!)  All this lead to a few injuries, including a particularly nasty one when a lifting belt snapped resulting in a damaged shoulder and torn bicep (ouch!)

Unfortunately, these injuries took their toll and Shelly was forced to leave the NHS and pursue her next, much scarier dream - to become a business owner. 

Using her background in social care, Shelly has taken her business into schools to work with children, particularly focusing on their mental health through anti bullying and kindness initiatives. It was here that her sign making classes developed, which she found to be interactive and had a great effect on mental wellbeing.  Most of all, they were great fun! And so the Rustic Wood Design Studio was born.

Taking the plunge, Shelly moved her business from home to a business premises in October this year.  Drawing inspiration from popular sign making workshops in the USA, she offers a sign making experience to people of all ages and abilities.  Starting with a plain sanded piece of wood, she teaches class members to produce a wonderful sign of their choice.  She has received wonderful feedback from her classes with members praising their therapeutic benefits.  

Shelly switched from solvent based wood stain to our Water Based Wood Dye and has not looked back since.  She was particularly attracted by their environmental friendliness and their ease of use.  A dye that is easy to clean when spilled is vital when teaching a class!  She recently sent us some photos of her class and we're delighted with how great the signs have turned out in our dye and, with Christmas round the corner, we love the festive theme! Click the images below for a closer look.

Rustic Wood Design Studio can be found on Facebook.  Don't worry if you aren't based near Teesside, Shelly plans to launch her own sign making kits online so keep an eye out for these!