Hi, and welcome — we’re so glad you’ve found your way here.

We’re a family of five who’ve been quietly (and sometimes chaotically!) building a life that’s a little slower, a little simpler, and a whole lot more intentional. Sawdust & Kindling is our corner of the internet where we share that journey — a space where creativity, sustainability, family connection, and learning-by-doing all come together.

Who We Are

We’re a husband-and-wife team – Simon and Kym – one of us a skilled joiner with a deep love for traditional craftsmanship, the other a former teacher and creative at heart, always planning the next activity, adventure, or hands-on learning moment for our three kids.

Together, we make a pretty good team.

And as parents, we’ve always believed that the best learning doesn’t happen at a desk — it happens in the kitchen, in the shed, in the garden, around the firepit, or on a walk through the woods.

🌱 What We Believe

We created Sawdust & Kindling because we wanted to offer families something real:

• Real projects that you can do with your kids — even if you’ve never held a drill.
• Real connection, built through working and learning side by side.
• Real values, centred on sustainability, creativity, and simplicity.

We believe in upcycling and repurposing, in making things last, and in teaching our children that what they create has value. That a birdhouse from scrap wood is just as worthy as a toy off the shelf — maybe more.

We believe in low-tox living where we can, using materials and methods that are kinder to our homes and to the earth. We aren’t perfect, but we’re learning — and sharing that learning openly.

We believe in slowing down, getting messy, and choosing presence over perfection.

🛠 What We Do

We create downloadable, family-friendly woodworking and nature-based project packs designed to:

• Teach useful, confidence-building skills
• Encourage collaboration and curiosity
• Give families simple, joyful ways to spend time together

Whether you’re home educating, home-loving, or just hoping to bring more meaning to your weekends, our resources are here to help you do just that — without overwhelm or complication.

🌳 Why “Sawdust & Kindling”?

Because both are by-products of building something worthwhile.

Sawdust shows us something is being made.

Kindling tells us something is about to catch fire.

We hope this space becomes a source of inspiration for your family — a place where your own sparks can grow into something meaningful.

So whether you’re here to try your first DIY project, find a nature-based learning activity, or simply slow things down and reconnect with what matters — you’re in the right place.

Thanks for being here.

Let’s build something beautiful, together.

💚

– The Sawdust & Kindling Family