If Geoff and Nancy Baker aren’t at a local market they are busy creating wooden crafts for the next one. The pair met with Caitlyn Morgan to discuss their creative passion. Pictures: Carmel Zaccone
FOR regular Sunraysia market-goers the friendly smiles and bursts of laughter from Geoff and Nancy Baker are easily recognisable.
The Mildura couple have sold their wooden crafts at the Mildura City Market and Red Cliffs Country Market for the past 17 years.
Geoff was taught the tricks of the trade by their friend Dez Gostlanzi after moving back to Mildura 21 years ago, having previously lived in Robinvale for 27 years.
Nancy says it started as a hobby that outgrew itself.
“We started with one table of our items and Dez’s then we got so big that Dez had to get his own market stall,” Nancy says.
“We first sold wooden brain teaser puzzles, bowls and chopping boards and went onto creating signs, clocks, lazy susans, rolling pins, serving platters and the Irish rolling pin, which is always popular.
“Most of the items Geoff makes are useful and not something to just sit on the shelf.”
On the occasion Geoff has been known to make special orders, which have included stools, extra large chopping boards and even a dining table and coffee table for Nancy.
“We collected the wood in Western Australia and then it took me four years to make the dining table,” Geoff says.
“Most of that time it was sitting there and it was only about a fortnight to actually put it together.”
Their creations have been made from wood collected all over Australia and there are a few pieces made from wood found in New Zealand.
“There is some from Tasmania, Western Australia and even Queensland. If we find some then we pick it up,” Nancy says.
Geoff is the handyman behind all the cutting and sanding, while Nancy paints and engraves the majority of the pieces.
After being married for 51 years, Nancy says they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“When Geoff isn’t bowling, he is in the shed,” Nancy says.
“When our six grandchildren were little they would join Geoff in the shed and make all sorts of things.
“They would all go out there with a hammer and piece of wood.”
The pair love a laugh and this is quite apparent when viewing their collection of items for sale.
“We have one item that is particularly popular – it’s a piece of wood with a button in the middle that says ‘press for a maid, if no one comes then do it yourself’,” Nancy says.
Geoff added, “We get a lot of laughs when people read some of the things we have.”
“There is always plenty of amusement.”
Each day they are each kept busy creating new items for the weekend markets.
“I just love the markets because of the friendships we have made and enjoy looking at all the different fashion people wear,” Nancy says.
