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Hand Lettering and Calligraphy

Greg was first introduced to carpentry when he was 17. Back in those days, his dad, a freelance contractor, would drag him down to sites to help him. Greg would complain, preferring to hang out with his friends instead but always ended up helping his dad anyway, because he knew that his dad needed the help.

“One of my earliest memories was of receiving a ‘My First Toolbox’ kit from my parents as a present on my 4^th birthday, In it, there were a plastic hammer, screwdriver and a saw. The saw was, by far, was my favorite tool, because I soon discovered that even though it was plastic, it could actually cut through wood. It was with this particular plastic saw that I eventually sawed through and felled my grandfather’s gate. It took me two weeks to cut down that gate, but it was not bad for a 4 year old!” Greg smiled.

Under the patient guidance of his Dad, Greg began learning how to work with his hands, and more importantly, how to take pride in his work.

Greg rediscovered his love for woodworking in his early twenties. At that time, he needed a shelf for his room, but he couldn’t find a piece that he was satisfied with, so he decided to build it himself. “I was really pleased with the result, and my Dad was impressed that I actually retained a significant amount of the skills from young,” Greg said, “looking back, I realized that I had picked up some valuable life skills along the way that would later shape my future as a craftsman.”

After 12 years as a hobbyist in wood making, he finally became a professional carpenter and introduced his own brand, The Woodwork Initiative, which focuses on bespoke furniture, cabinetry, homeware and decorative woodwork.

Greg endeavours to produce work of high quality and fine detail. “Every project is different and has its own set of challenges. The fun is in figuring out how to make it aesthetic without compromising its functionality.”

Greg was intrigued by the concept of having a team of craftsmen with different backgrounds and expertise in the same room to explore and discover from each other, and that’s the reason why he joined The Balvenie Connoisseurs of Craft Initiative. Greg said, “I used to feel that craftsmen were fast becoming a dying breed, but I am encouraged by the fact that this is not the case. This program provides a platform for me to continue improving my skills and exchanging ideas with like-minded fellows.”

If you would like to engage Greg for your events, drop us an email at hello@wearethegeneralcompany.com.