The Unfolding Journey of Tawny Barn: A Tale of Passion, Perseverance, and Plywood
Hello there! I'm Steve, the heart and soul behind Tawny Barn. I thought it was about time I shared the story of our journey, how we came to be, and what keeps us going.
Imagine spending 30 years as a globetrotting machine fixer. Exciting, right? But one day, I decided it was time for a change of pace. A business that I could stroll to from my doorstep, something that would bring me closer to my lifelong passion - woodcraft.
Now, my friends might say it was a mid-life crisis; I call it a well-deserved lifestyle upgrade.
I've always had a soft spot for woodcraft. What started as a hobby slowly evolved into a business where I sold carved bowls, clocks, and small pieces of furniture at craft fairs. I found joy in creating these beautiful handmade products, even though the financial returns weren't substantial.
The name Tawny Barn comes from a simple thought - where would you expect to find a traditional woodwork shop? An old barn, of course! And so, the name of the business was born, inspired by my home for over 20 years.
Fast forward a year, and I found myself at the "Worker Bee Market" in Bramhall, Stockport. A sunny day, bustling crowd, but my stall was quiet. Then, like a breath of fresh air, a woman approached and asked if I could make a giraffe.
A giraffe! It was random, unexpected, and absolutely perfect. She needed a giraffe-shaped template for her embroidery work, and I was just the right person for the job.
I traded my carving tools for my CNC Router and got to work. The following month, I presented her with her giraffe, alongside a menagerie of other animals. To my delight, customers loved them! They were quick, easy to make, and the seed of my laser cutting business was planted.
Woodcraft is still a cherished hobby, but the market gently nudged me back into my comfort zone - working with and looking after automatic production machines.
The best part? If there's a machine problem, I'm already on site. No more globe-trotting necessary to fix an issue. This gives Tawny Barn a unique edge. We don't need to scramble for an engineer - I'm already here, running the company!
You might think acknowledging we sometimes have problems is bad marketing, but let's be real - things sometimes go awry. What truly matters is how we handle those situations.
Today, Tawny Barn Ltd is a VAT registered, Limited company with three medium-sized laser machines and a fourth, larger one on the way. We're all set to make products up to 120 X 90CM.
Our story is a testament to the power of passion, the beauty of change, and the magic that can happen when a customer asks for a giraffe. So if you need a giraffe, or anything else for that matter, feel free to request a quote or contact us. We're excited to continue this journey, one plywood cut at a time.