by Wendy Johnson
‘MIGHTY oaks from little acorns grow’ perfectly sums up a talented young carpenter from Warrington who has started a new business venture, specialising in his own wooden creations, during his summer work experience.
Wood is definitely good for 17-year-old Jensen Butterworth, from Whittle Hall in Great Sankey, who has used his college break to learn more about the craftwork and skill he loves so much. Jensen’s new business comes after spending valuable time with Meraki Woodcraft, a Sankey Bridges company that specialises in unique sustainable bespoke furniture. The young entrepreneur hasn’t let the grass grow under his feet and has just launched JB Wood Creations Warrington featuring his own wooden garden accessories and planters.
“I’m currently studying for an NVQ Level 2 in carpentry and joinery at Warrington and Vale Royal College. I wanted to get more hands-on experience throughout the summer months. With the help of Meraki, I have set up my own business.” Explained Jensen: “Initially, I began with three sizes of planters, but now make them to any size. Recently, I’ve designed and built complementary items like trellises, bench seating and herb boxes to go with them.” He added: “Under the tutorage of Meraki each of these items is made by me to a high standard”.
Jensen is helping the planet by sticking to using sustainable materials. “This is really important, only around 8% of all the wood used in the world comes from a responsible source so I ensure that everything is made using sustainable materials with FSC accreditation.” He said: “If the material doesn’t come from a sustainable source, then I won’t buy it”.
“Wood is a great natural resource which is both renewable and a material that is tactile to touch.” Said Jensen. “It’s good to work with as no two pieces look the same. When I was younger, I liked to build things, my grandad also worked in the joinery business, so I guess my interest in wood stems from here.”
His tutorage at Meraki has been invaluable. Tucked under the wings of its founder David Cross, Jensen has been shown how to design, build, cost and market his new work. “I still have a lot of things to learn, like the financial side of things and I’m sure this will come with time,” he added. “Ideally, I’d like to continue with joinery and grow the JB Wood Creations business, I’m aware that as we move into Autumn and Winter that the requirement for garden items will become less frequent, but this will give me an opportunity to design new items such a bin stores and log sheds which will help to expand my skills”.
And what does the future hold for this enterprising young man? Jensen replied: “Having the opportunity to start my own business at such a young age means a lot. It’s not just about new joinery skills, its about taking responsibility for my future and learning skills that could last a lifetime. Ideally, I’d like to grow my business further with the view to it becoming a full-time enterprise when I finish college. I am certainly proud of what I am achieving and I’m sure it gives my dad and grandad something to be proud about too.”
Anyone wanting more information about Jensen’s designs can follow him under JB Wood Creations Warrington on https:// www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560846328318
