ATT co-founder Sara Buchner named Inner West Creative Network Creative of the Month
In the heart of Marrickville, Among the Trees is leaving a significant mark. Beyond merely rescuing timber from landfills, this timber shop and woodworking school serve as beacons for sustainable construction practices.
Sara Buchner, our Creative of the Month, combines a background in interior architecture with a profound commitment to sustainability. Her talents span woodworking, ceramics, and printmaking. The journey of Among the Trees began when co-founders Elizabeth Duck-Chong, Luke Mitchell, Peter Jorgensen, and Sara converged while working in a timber shop. Fueled by discontent with the building industry's unsustainable practices, they birthed Among the Trees. Their mission: salvage timber, reduce landfill waste, and empower beginners to craft with reclaimed materials.
Sara's core message: Working with reclaimed timber is more accessible, cost-effective, and fulfilling than you might imagine. Moreover, embracing timber reuse translates to less landfill and reduced logging—an undeniable win-win!
Sara, could you share how you got into woodworking? Do you remember your first experience with timber crafting and what inspired you to pursue it further? We're curious to hear about your creative journey in this field.
I started woodworking in high school, where I had access to a great workshop, and I still have some of those early projects. After graduating, I pursued a degree in interior architecture, which combined my interests in woodworking, design, and art. I gained experience in design, drafting, and project management, especially in interior fit-outs and timber furniture. It was during the recent Covid lockdown that I reignited my passion for woodworking and started creating my own pieces again.
Among the Trees is doing fantastic work rescuing timber from landfills. Could you share how this idea started and tell us about the mission driving your initiative?
Many people are uncertain about using reclaimed timber, often considering it too time-consuming to de-nail and resurface. Sadly, this misconception results in a significant amount of perfectly usable timber ending up in landfills.
Personally, I've spent a considerable amount of time on construction and demolition sites, and it was disheartening to witness the sheer volume of valuable materials discarded in skips. I've also been involved in the design and building industry, where reclaimed materials are scarcely available on the market.
“To me, this situation is unacceptable.”
When substantial changes are needed, it's essential to lead by example. Therefore, we decided to create a market for reclaimed materials and products.
All the timber in our store has been carefully de-nailed, with all metal removed, and we even offer machining services to cut pieces to your desired size. At Among The Trees, we aim to eliminate the overwhelming feeling when you're at large timber yards, alleviate deforestation concerns, and make it easier to find beautiful old-growth and rare/exotic timbers that are no longer readily available in the market.
Among the Trees not only provides reclaimed timber but also offers woodworking classes. How do these classes empower individuals with little woodworking experience to create their own pieces using restored hand tools?
Whether you're new to timber or an experienced woodworker seeking a fresh perspective, our classes offer a valuable learning experience.
“My favorite courses, Spoon Carving and Picture Framing.”
These are one-day workshops that enable you to take home your creations while developing the skills to craft more.
We've also introduced a Sharpening and Finishing course, providing hands-on experience and comprehensive knowledge. The Sharpening course covers tool and blade sharpening, while the Finishing course explores oil, varnish, shellac, French polishing, and more. These skills are essential and often challenging to acquire solely from books, making our courses a practical choice, especially for hobbyists without access to formal education.
Could you share a personal experience or moment that truly exemplifies the impact Among the Trees has had on both the environment and the people it serves?
One of my favorite stories is from a recent Saturday when Liz (my colleague) and I were in the shop. A family came in to get some shelves, and they had their three daughters with them. The three little girls got really excited, whispering about women doing woodworking and how reclaimed timber looks as good as new. They all crowded around, watching the timber go through our machines. They started asking us questions about woodworking because they wanted to take it as an elective in school.
“Being a role model for these girls, sharing knowledge about reclaimed materials, and breaking down gender stereotypes is incredibly fulfilling.”
The Inner West Creative Network is an artist-run, not-for-profit organisation that seeks to provide Inner West artists and creatives with a mechanism for connecting with each other and opportunities to enhance the business aspects and sustainability of their practice.
The network hopes to promote and make visible the diverse range of art-making practices and creations to audiences from far and wide and, at a time of radical change, assist creatives by advocating ideas and needs to those who can provide support.
Find out more about the network here.
