A chronological look at Wildwood Instruments.
Jump to 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011

1999/2000

• Completed Small Business Management Course (NEIS Scheme)
• Wildwood Instruments was established. The launch was held at the Acoustic Guitar Centre, North Perth

2001

• Dropped full time business to part time business
• Diversified into Furniture and Kitchen cabinet work

2002

• Continued with odd jobs
• Temporarily closed down workshop (went travelling overseas)
• Moved to larger factory/workshop premises

2003

• Began building a range of small, affordable instruments

2004

• Introduced new range of instruments at Nannup Music Festival 2004 (WA)
• Gave a talk on musical instruments to school children
• Attended:
  • Nannup Music Festival 2004 (WA)
  • Fairbridge Festival 2004 (WA)
  • York Jazz Festival 2004 (WA)
  • Blues at Bridgetown 2004 (WA)
• Launched Website: www.wildwoodinstruments.com.au

2005

• Increased range of products
• Interviewed by Trad&Now national folk magazine
• Attended:
  • Nannup Music Festival 2005 (WA)
  • Eastern States Tour:
    • Port Fairy Folk Festival 2005 (VIC)
    • Blue Mountains Music Festival 2005 (Katoomba, NSW)
    • National Folk Festival 2005 (Canberra, ACT)
    • The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival 2005 (Corryong, VIC)
  • Fairbridge Festival 2005 (WA)
  • Blues at Bridgetown 2005 (WA)
• Improvements to many of the instruments
• Serial Numbers introduced for stringed instruments
• Gained Credit Card Facilities at website and at festivals

2006

• Introduced Deluxe Mandolin
• Live blogging and photo updates whilst on tour
• Car accident. Van rolled 3 times on the way to Port Fairy
• Best Instrument Makers Stall Award at the National Folk Festival
• Attended:
  • Nannup Music Festival 2006 (WA)
  • Port Fairy Folk Festival 2006 (VIC) Missed due to accident
  • Blue Mountains Music Festival 2006 (Katoomba, NSW)
  • The Rocks Market (Sydney, NSW)
  • Yackandandah Folk Festival 2006 (VIC)
  • The Arts Centre Sunday Market (Melbourne, VIC)
  • National Folk Festival 2006 (Canberra, ACT)
  • Fairbridge Festival 2006 (WA)
  • York Jazz Festival 2006 (WA)
  • Blues at Bridgetown 2006 (WA)

2007

• Relocated business to Melbourne
• Set up workshop and shop in Brunswick
• Attended:
  • Australian Blues Festival 2007 (Goulburn, NSW)
  • Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival 2007 (VIC)
  • Cobargo Folk Festival 2007 (NSW)
  • Sydney Road Street Party 2007 (Brunswick, VIC)
  • Port Fairy Folk Festival 2007 (VIC)
  • Blue Mountains Music Festival 2007 (Katoomba, NSW)
  • The Basin Music Festival 2007 (VIC)
  • National Folk Festival 2007 (Canberra, ACT)
  • Mount Beauty Music Festival 2007 (VIC)
  • Maldon Music Festival 2007 (VIC)
  • Majors Creek Music Festival 2007 (NSW)
  • Queenscliff Music Festival 2007 (VIC)

2008

• Grand Opening Party/concert for the new Shop
• Began Instrument Making Classes
• Introduced the Classical Travel Guitar
• Featured in an article in The Age Magazine
• Double page feature in Trad&Now Magazine
• Attended:
  • Woodford Folk Festival 2007/2008 (Qld)
  • Illawara Folk Festival 2008 (NSW)
  • Australia Day Celebrations, Alexandra Gardens 2008 (VIC)
  • Sydney Road Street Party 2008 (Brunswick, VIC)
  • Port Fairy Folk Festival 2008 (VIC)
  • Yackandandah Folk Festival 2008 (VIC)
  • National Folk Festival 2008 (Canberra, ACT)
  • Queenscliff Music Festival 2008 (VIC)
    

2009

• 10th Anniversary Party/Blackboard Concert
• Introduced the Weissenbaby
• Introduced Tunable Bodhrans
• Changed the design of the Bottle Top Rattler
• Introduced greater range of Instrument Making Classes
• Exhibition at Bar Nancy - Part of the Darebin Music Feast
• Attended:
  • Woodford Folk Festival 2008/2009 (Qld)
  • Sydney Road Street Party 2009 (Brunswick, VIC)
  • Port Fairy Folk Festival 2009 (VIC)
  • Yackandandah Folk Festival 2009 (VIC)
  • National Folk Festival 2009 (Canberra, ACT)
  • Queenscliff Music Festival 2009 (VIC)

 

2010

• Interview with the Herald Sun
• Interview in Roadhouse Magazine
• Changed the design of the Travel Guitars and Mandolins - incorporating Qld Maple necks with 2-way truss rods, Jarrah fretboard with end swirl design
• Merged the two designs of Mandolin into one
• Attended:
  • Woodford Folk Festival 2009/2010 (Qld)
  • Sydney Road Street Party 2010 (Brunswick, VIC)
  • WOMADelaide 2010 (SA)
  • Yackandandah Folk Festival 2010 (VIC)
  • National Folk Festival 2010 (Canberra, ACT)
  • National Celtic Festival 2010 (Port Arlington, VIC)
  • Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC)

2011

• Introduced Soprano and Tenor Ukuleles (Steel and Nylon string) to the range
• Photo Shoot with Moreland Council Mayor, published in community newspapaer
• Wildwood Mandolin made an apperance in Melbourne Operas production of Faust
• Made a short documentary about Wildwood Instruments, including the construction process of a Travel Guitar
• Began the Wildwood Sessions. Monthly jam sessions in the Wildwood showroom
• Updated the Dulcimer design
• Switched to K&K pickups for all the instruments
• Honda Magazine article and photo shoot
• Percussion Instrument making session at a Day Centre for the elderly
• Vice Chairman of the Performing Arts Moreland board
• Film shoot for Movember, The Pride and the Craft series
• Attended:
  • Woodford Folk Festival 2010/2011 (Qld)
  • Melbourne Ukulele Festival 2011(VIC)
  • Sydney Road Street Party 2011 (VIC)
  • Port Fairy Folk Festival 2011 (VIC)
  • National Folk Festival 2011 (ACT)
    
    
    
    
    

So far… What's New?