Finding beauty in the mundane with slow made goods
Slow Made Goods are injecting the beauty back into functional house-hold items.
With every piece Ewen crafts, a new story is created for generations to come.
So, let’s fall back in love with our household objects...
A: Firstly, who are you and what do you do?
E: Hi, I’m Ewen and I make functional wooden objects for the home including brushes, spoons and scoops, serving and chopping boards. Everything is handcrafted and made from locally sourced and sustainable materials here in Norwich, Norfolk.
Why did you start Slow Made Goods?
In 2019 we (my family) moved to Norfolk. Slow Made Goods had been a side project for a number of years and the move gave me the opportunity to launch it full time. I had been working in a job that I wasn’t in love with so to dive into something I was passionate about felt good. I’ve always had an interest in design, particularly humble household utensils that often get overlooked and, given how often we use these objects, I wanted to make functional things that brought the joy back to joyless tasks and make them as long lasting, or timeless, as possible.
What motivates/inspires you to create the work that you do?
Sustainability and longevity are important factors in the materials I work with, so wood is perfect. The local arborists I work with provide local wood that would otherwise be used for biomass. The sawmills I use source their timber from managed woodland or storm fallen trees. Each piece of wood I use tells a story, whether it be a fungal infection with beautiful markings or small burr marks where cattle have grazed new shoots from lower branches.
Where's your favourite place to visit in Norfolk and why?
The Norfolk Broads. My family have been sailing on The Broads since I was 7 years old. It’s a magical place, full of wildlife and so peaceful. Canoeing at dawn before the river comes to life is a must, the otter population is on the rise on the river Bure and it’s a real joy to spot them. The stretch of river between Hoveton and Coltishall is fairly shallow and quiet, a beautiful stretch for canoeing and paddle boarding. The water is crystal clear and my family and I visit this stretch regularly.
@slowmadegoods / slowmadegoods.com
This interview was published as part of a paid collaboration within our printed newspaper.