Blackwood Bespoke
by Paulo Ricardo Goncalves
Founding Vendor“Every piece comes from my heart”
Featured pieces
About Paulo
"Most people retire from a trade. I just traded mine. After two decades in the electrical industry I discovered that what I loved most wasn't the job — it was making something with my hands that worked perfectly and would still be standing long after I'd gone home. Wood gave me that. Three years in, every piece I make is built the way I wired — no shortcuts, no guesswork, and nothing left loose.
The making process
The process isn't that different from electrical work — it just smells better. I start by reading the material, understanding what it wants to become. Timber has grain the way circuits have current — it wants to flow in a particular direction and your job is to work with it, not against it. From raw plank to finished piece involves measuring, cutting, joining, and finishing — each stage as precise as the last. I don't rush any of it. Twenty years in a trade where rushing gets people hurt has a way of making patience permanent.
My Story
I spent years in the electrical sector, and honestly, it was draining me. I was good at it, I made decent money, but something was missing — that sense of purpose you feel when you're actually creating something with your hands. About three years ago, I decided I'd had enough of that life. It wasn't a reckless decision; I spent time thinking about what would actually make me wake up excited to work. That's when I knew I needed to make something real. I took the leap, cleared out space at my home here in Nigel, and started building my workshop from scratch. It cost me, both in time and money, but I wasn't going to do this halfway. If I was going to leave everything behind, I needed a proper place to work, somewhere that felt like *mine*.
Those first months were tough in ways I didn't expect. I was learning a craft while also learning how to run a business, and there were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I'd made a huge mistake. But then something shifted. I'd be in my workshop early in the morning, the light coming through just right, and I'd start working on a piece. That's when I stopped thinking about whether I'd made the right choice. Every morning now, I wake up and I can't wait to get to work. It's not because I'm trying to meet some quota or impress anyone — it's because I genuinely love what I'm making. The pieces that come out of my workshop feel like they matter, like they have something of myself in them.
This work is feeding my soul in a way nothing else ever has. It's not just a job or a business to me; it's become part of who I am. When someone buys something I've made, it's not a transaction — it's someone trusting me enough to bring something I've poured myself into into their home, their life. That responsibility and that connection, that's what keeps me here in my workshop, day after day, making things I'm genuinely proud of.
My Workshop / Studio
Items by Paulo
Sold outWood and Epoxy Clock
A Clock That Stops Time (And Then Tells It) I make these wall clocks by hand, combining wood with deep epoxy pours, and honestly, each one turns out completely different from the last — which is exactly the point. This one sits at 450mm across, big enough to be a proper statement piece without overwhelming a room. The wood grain shows through the epoxy in ways I can never quite predict; sometimes the resin catches the light and seems to glow from inside, other times it sits deep and moody. It keeps perfect time, of course, but it's really about having something on your wall that has actual character — the kind of thing that makes people stop and ask where you found it. What I love about making these is that they work everywhere. I've seen them in minimalist apartments where they're the only decoration, and I've seen them in grand homes where they hold their own against everything else. The wood species, the colors, the size — I can adjust any of it. If you want it smaller for an entryway, larger for a living room feature wall, or in a specific wood that matches your space, I can do that. The epoxy stays food-safe and the mechanism is reliable; this isn't precious art that you're afraid to use. These are for people who actually want to live with something meaningful rather than just own it. Someone who walks past their wall every day and notices the details, who appreciates that it was made by a real person in a workshop, not stamped out in a factory somewhere.
Sold outHigh End Jewelry Box
Walnut Jewelry Box with Brass Handles I built this box because I got tired of seeing beautiful jewelry tossed into drawers and forgotten. It's made from American walnut — wood that just gets better looking as it ages, developing its own patina over time. The brass handles are solid and substantial, not the cheap stuff that tarnishes overnight; they'll actually improve with use and develop their own character. Inside, there's real depth to organize your pieces properly: it measures 300mm wide, 220mm deep, and 200mm tall, so it holds everything from delicate necklaces to statement rings without them tangling together. What I'm most proud of is how simple it is. No fussy compartments or velvet that wears out. Just solid walnut construction with joinery that'll outlast both of us, and brass hardware that actually functions like it's supposed to. The wood grain is different on every box I make — that's walnut for you — so you're getting something genuinely one-of-a-kind, not a factory reproduction stamped out a thousand times. This box is for anyone who actually cares about their jewelry. Not people who collect things mindlessly, but people who wear their pieces with intention and want them stored properly, kept safe, and easy to find. If you've got inherited pieces, heirloom rings, or jewelry you've collected over years that deserves respect, this is where they belong. I work with other wood species too — just let me know what speaks to you.
Sold outAfrican Hardwood and Epoxy cutting board with sea theme
African Hardwood Cutting Board I make each cutting board from African hardwood, and honestly, there's something satisfying about working with wood that's dense enough to handle years of knife work without splintering or warping. This one measures 450 by 300 millimeters with a thickness of 30 millimeters — substantial enough to give you real stability when you're breaking down vegetables or meat, but not so heavy that it becomes a nuisance to move around your kitchen. The grain pattern in the wood is what catches people's eyes first, though; the natural striations and color variations mean no two boards are ever identical, and once I finish one, that's it — there won't be another exactly like it. What makes this different from the mass-produced stuff is that I build these to order, which means you're not getting something that's been sitting in a warehouse for months. You get to choose the theme and size that actually fits your kitchen and your cooking style, and I work the piece specifically for you. I take my time with the surface — it's smooth enough for precision work but with enough grip that your vegetables won't slip when you're working quickly. I finish it with food-safe oil that brings out the wood's character while protecting it from moisture and daily wear. This board is for anyone who actually cooks — whether you're someone who enjoys a quiet morning chopping herbs for breakfast or a home chef who spends hours prepping for dinner. If you care enough about your tools to notice the difference between something thrown together and something made with intention, you'll understand why this matters.
Sold outWood inlay and Epoxy cutting board with gun theme
A Cutting Board That's Actually Yours I make these cutting boards from African hardwoods—the kind of timber that's been seasoned properly and has real character in the grain. Each one I cut and finish by hand, so honestly, there are no two exactly alike. The one you're looking at is 450mm square and 35mm thick, substantial enough that it won't slide around on your counter when you're working, but still manageable to lift and move without feeling like you're wrestling furniture. The wood develops this beautiful patina over time as you use it, which I think is half the appeal—it becomes more yours the more you cook on it. I designed these for people who actually cook, who reach for a board multiple times a week and care about how the tools in their kitchen feel in their hands. There's something different about working on wood that someone made specifically for you rather than something that came off a factory line. The grain patterns, the weight, the way the surface feels—all of that is singular. And if you want something different than what's shown here, I do custom orders. Different themes, different sizes, whatever you need. These boards will last longer than most of your kitchen appliances if you treat them right. Just hand wash, dry them properly, and occasionally oil them when they start to look tired. This is the kind of piece that gets passed down, if you want it to be. Perfect for anyone who takes their cooking seriously—whether you're a professional chef or someone who genuinely enjoys spending time in the kitchen. It's for people who'd rather have one board they love than a drawer full of forgettable ones.