Amy Hay - Empowering women through restoration

People ask how I got into woodworking, but, it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father is the kind of man who can do a bit of everything and knows a bit of everything (maybe a lot of some things, but I don’t want it to go to his head..). He was always working on something; a portable art gallery display for the local theatre, an elaborate plant stand for our orchard or a trailer BBQ for the local Rotary Club. I followed along, paid attention, helped where I could and tried to understand how this brilliant man’s brain worked (yeah, that’s definitely going to his head).

As I got older, I started planning my own projects. We would sit down together and throw around ideas of what was possible and, without fail, he would teach me something new every single time. I started to understand what went into planning a piece and learnt how to think a little more outside the box.

In 2014 I started a small business, AJ Artwork, which grew into Sarani Art & Events. I created rustic home decor, artwork and succulent stands, attending markets all across Gippsland every weekend. The woodwork skills that went into these creations were basic, but it sparked my creativity and love of all things timber. Unfortunately, after a couple of years I felt more like a production worker trying to keep up with the sheer number of items required to keep a stable income, and made the hard decision to cease this business.

In 2019 I needed a few things around my home - a custom bench, plant stand, dog lead holder, music stand etc. One thing lead to another, including taking an old potting table and making it into my new kitchen table, and The New Red. was born. I wanted to push my skills, to continue to challenge myself, to make things that I didn’t even know were possible. 

It feels like riding a bike. If that bike was flying down a hilly road covered in large rocks. But, strangely, it feels like exactly what I’m meant to be doing.

Mentions: 

The New Red - https://www.thenewred.com.au/

Squishy Face Animal Rescue - http://squishiesrescue.org.au/