Badger Workshop was founded in 2016 in Hampshire by myself, Matthew Smith. While working as a chef at the time, I dreamed of branching out (pun intended), and taking my wood, leather, and metal work to the next level. And so Badger Workshop was born!
I’ve had a life-long fascination with small-living spaces and how they make you live simply. My dream was to live on a canal boat, but as I hadn’t figured out how to build one (yet) I instead taught myself how to build a shepherds hut. I took orders from people that had seen my work, and built them alongside working as a chef.
But whilst I enjoyed building these huts from scratch, it lacked variety and creativity, and I longed to connect with other creatives.
Even before I got into woodworking I had a passiong for photography and videography, and so I decided to start documenting my makes, including the process. To share this content with other likeminded people I started my YouTube channel, which I’ve been running full-time for nearly eight years now.
After over a decade of creating online content, I am going back to what first inspired me. Breaking free of the ‘woodworker’ label that has taken a lot of the joy out of creating for me. I want to be an artist that uses wood as their main medium, rather than a ‘woodworker’ that builds technical pieces. Creating one of a kind artisinal pieces, inspired by nature and organic forms, using reclaimed and recycled material. Experimenting with materials and techniques, and exploring what it means to be an artist using materials such as wood, metal, and leather. It’s an exciting new chapter and I hope to share this creative journey with you.