Introduction to the Apprentice Toymaker

 

I had been looking for a business that would involve me actually MAKING something...something I could be proud of...something I could have input into designing...something useful...something classic and long lasting. Meanwhile, my husband had been dreaming of getting away from it all...getting off the grid...on a property with some decent scenery, and not of other houses...looking towards becoming self sufficient and getting back to his farming roots.

 

It all seemed like a distant (very distant) future for the both of us.

When I first saw the advert for Laurie and Trish’s business, I wondered if it could be relocated to where I was living in Wodonga. I made contact with them via this site and we arranged to get together via phone. Well, a brief fact-finding mission for a potential business turned into a discussion on their decision to sell their property.

 

Now get this......a property which is off grid, up in the Victorian highlands with a gorgeous view, with enough room to have an orchard, and a vegie patch and anything else needed to become self sufficient! .....and along with this came a business... a business that produced something useful...produced something that was designed from scratch by Laurie and Trish...produced something that was so classic and long lasting that people recognise the products at the markets and say “Hi, I bought one of your puzzles 4 years ago for my grandson. I have three more grandkids now, so I better get them puzzles too!”

 

THIS is the type of business, the type of lifestyle that we have yearned for, a serendipitous glance at an advert that has led to a total change of job, of location, of lifestyle. A true Tree Change.

 

Now this is a VERY steep learning curve for me, this is not a business that can be learned overnight, and this is not a lifestyle that I have led before. I need to learn how to use new machinery, how best to produce the quality products that Trish and Laurie are known for, how to live and work under solar power, even how to round up alpacas!  However I will not be the only newbie, as my eldest son will be sharing the learner plates and running the business at my side while my youngest focuses on getting through the last years of senior school. My husband is going to have to wait for his part of the dream, as he will continue in his current job for a while yet. I have no doubt that the orchard will be planted and animals will begin to appear on his many planned visits.

 

Laurie and Trish kindly offered to see us safely through the transition phase, to mentor and guide us through the production of their many pieces, where to buy the best products and how to get them up here to this gorgeous location. Certainly not least, showed us how to survive the rowdy market days...... and of course, how to round up the alpacas.

 

My name is Jay, and together with my sons Brody (also known as fellow newb), and Aidan, along with my husband Jason, we hope that you join us on our journey. We hope to add to the products you already love and enjoy, but don’t worry, we will be keeping your favourites.

 

We welcome feedback and suggestions, and best of all visits to introduce yourselves at the markets we will attend. So keep an eye on the site for updates and let us know what you think!

 

I would like to thank Trish and Laurie from the bottom of my heart, for trusting me with the results of all their hard work, both on the property and with the business. You deserve the retirement that you yearn for, but will always be welcome back here to help with the alpaca round up.