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Meet a woodworker

Erin Malloy shows me around her studio and lets me have a go!

A graphic designer by trade, Erin Malloy left the grind of 9 to 5 to become a woodworker. After inheriting her carpenter grandfather’s tools, Erin taught herself how to work with wood and now handcrafts exquisite homewares for a living. 

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Erin Malloy and Tara Dennis
Erin and I in her workshop. (Credit: Simon Griffiths)

Working from her family home in the Macedon Ranges – the art hub of regional Victoria – Erin practises her woodwork in ‘studio’ shed. A selection of her handcrafted homewares are available to buy in her online shop

Handcarved timber homewares
A few of her homewares and tools of the trade. (Credit: Simon Griffiths)

Erin creates simple but beautiful homewares out of recycled timber using traditional woodworking techniques and tools. She salvages different types of wood and uses offcuts of timber including cherry and walnut, to make kitchen essentials such as cutting boards and spoons.

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Depending on the object, the first step is to slab then carve the wood, cut it out with a bandsaw then continue to carve, sand and shape the item by hand until it’s finished. Here’s how to carve a cutting board in three simple steps.

Hand carving a cutting board

The first step is to cut out the cutting board using a saw, then sand and shape it. 

Making a cutting board
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Pour hot water over the board to bring out the grain of the timber. Leave it to dry. 

Applying beeswax to board

Sand once more, then apply beeswax and mineral oil salve to the cutting board. 

Timber cheese board
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The result is a bespoke board you can use for bread, cheese or anything you like! Functional but lovely. 

For more DIY and craft ideas, pick up a copy of the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine in selected newsagents and supermarkets or buy online today!

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