The initial concept
These are the sketches Jim drew showing the initial concept of Little Woodworkers® when it was just a tiny seed of an idea.
Jim created the story board to present to two amazing kindergarten teachers (at our kitchen table) to get some feedback on his idea.
The date was Tuesday, 12th November 2013. I even took notes!
This was our very first time discussing and sharing the idea of Little Woodworkers® with others. Saying it out loud made it more real.
We got some great feedback and planned our next move.
As we are trying to recall Jim's exact words, this is the gist of his presentation at the time:
Once upon a time…
Jim is a happy Furniture Maker.
“I’m off to a board meeting!” is one of his favourite running jokes.
Jim has a wealth of experience under his belt which also includes woodwork teaching and instructing.
In 2009 Jim emigrated to Australia with his wife, 9-months-old daughter and another bun in the oven.
After working for himself for 20+ years in Ireland, in Australia, Jim worked a 9 to 5 job for 5 years making furniture.
He was unable to use his full creative potential and became more and more frustrated.
Then, in August 2013, Jim did a Show & Tell at his daughter’s kindergarten. He didn’t know it yet, but this would change everything.
He had a light bulb moment.
The sketches below are the very first outline of the concept and vision Jim had of what he wanted his woodwork incursions to look like.
(It also shows the Logo Jim had in mind from the very beginning.)
When Jim found the sketches again a few years later, he couldn't believe how much he actually stuck to his initial plan. AND the incursions got even better, the more he facilitated them.
Teachers are always amazed and delighted when they watch their groups of children experience our woodwork incursions. They tell us every time. And the pictures say more than a thousand words.
EDIT: As of 2020 Jim has facilitated well over 1,000 Little Woodworkers® incursions. Over 25,000 children have made their own little wooden toys and learned about trees and taking care of our environment.
We added ALL THE MILESTONES into a TIMELINE. CLICK HERE to check it out. It’s an interesting read through the years. Even Jim and I where surprised by all that’s happened since the initial concept back in 2013.
We are so thankful to all the teachers who believed in our idea from the start, talked about us, recommended us, spread the word and booked us. Again. And again.
So that more and more children could make their own wooden toys and learn about the importance of trees and taking care of our environment.