At The Eco Shed, everyone is busy creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind items using reclaimed wood. Recently, people in the project have been working on projects that have been both personal and creative - crafting stunning chessboards! Each new project in The Eco Shed is an opportunity to learn new skills - this time whilst making thoughtful gifts for family members!

Grant has been learning some challenging techniques, including creating hidden drawers in the chess board to store chess pieces. He also used a pyrography pen to carve a family shield onto the top of his board, making it extra special and personal to him. David has taken great care in sanding his chessboard and each individual chess piece. Having completed the project, he is now learning how to play chess with his creation!

 

The chessboard projects began with Robert. Robert’s own project, creating both a chessboard and draughts board, sparked an interest among the rest of the group - soon others began planning their own creative works! Robert even made a board for the Eco Shed shop, which can be purchased alongside other handcrafted items created by project members. 

In the Eco Shed project, people learn new woodworking skills, learn about equipment and machinery, support each other with individual projects and work together on commissions. Adaptations are made so that everyone can belong, such as making reasonable adjustments, purchasing aids, or making bespoke jigs. We use reclaimed wood to create products - from mud kitchens to clocks, signage to shelving, and beyond! As a bemix social enterprise,  any money we make goes back into supporting the work of The Eco Shed. 

Each item made is unique, and people take pride in the work they produce. Every item made at The Eco Shed has a story, and the group’s work is always evolving.

 

Would you like to join The Eco Shed? The project runs in Sittingbourne on Monday - Friday.

For more information contact The Eco Shed Project Lead, Cheryl: [email protected] 01795 438 857