Gisborne local Carmen Hofman makes stunning resin and timber furniture, turning her pandemic past time into her award-winning business, Oakfield Designs. Her work will feature in the Gisborne-based season of The Block, and she recently won gold at the 2022 AusMumpreneaur Awards in the homewares division. She tells Star Weekly all about her love for the town, her timber work and her family.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do?
I’m a happily married, 41 year old mum of two beautiful girls. I also own and operate a small business called Oakfield Designs. I make unique stunning resin and timber furniture, from my home workshop in Gisborne.
I decided to jump head first into making an epoxy-timber coaster [during the pandemic]. My first attempt was absolutely woeful, and to this day I am too embarrassed to show anyone, but it was safe to say I was hooked, and was driven to be better. I began teaching myself how to improve the process by watching hours and hours of YouTube videos, and continued to practice my craft.
To win a national award that is judged by other entrepeneaur mums [at the AusMumpreneur Awards] was amazing, and I was deeply honoured. I was also asked to make two pieces for ‘The Block’ this season, and can’t wait for it to air.
Woodworking is generally a male orientated industry, so a lot of ‘proving’ was needed to be accepted and respected. I believe Oakfield Designs is now the premium boutique Epoxy River Table business in Melbourne. And must admit, being covered in sawdust and resin is probably my happy place.
What’s your connection to Gisborne?
Growing up in Essendon, suburbia was what I knew. My cousins and grandma moved to Bullengarook and Gisborne when I was young, and some of my fondest childhood memories were the visits to the country. Fishing in the dam for yabbies, riding horses all day and campfires at night. Unfortunately my husband’s work commitments kept us in the suburbs until my mid-30s. He then was fortunate enough to land his dream job, where remote working wasn’t just accepted, it was encouraged. I always wanted my children to grow up in the fresh country air, surrounded by friendly outgoing people. The house hunting began in Gisborne, and it wasn’t long until we found our dream home. Believe it or not, it was right next door to my grandma’s previous home. A
We settled in almost immediately, and I don’t think you could pay me enough to move down in the suburbs again. We just love Gisborne.
What do you like about where you live?
The crisp fresh air up here is so nice, as are the outgoing friends and neighbours. We are surrounded by beautiful wineries, award winning restaurants, and an easy 45-minute drive to Melbourne. What’s not to like?
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I would love to see some more restaurants in Gisborne. In saying that, quite a few have popped up over the last 12 months, which is fantastic. Eating out is something my family enjoy’s quite regularly.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
Our backyard! We are on an acre here in Gisborne, and it’s like having our very own patch of paradise. Surrounded by 50-year-old oak trees, it is private and feels like we are in our own private park. Entertaining our friends and family around our fire pit is so much fun. If it’s a horrible cold and wet day – June until September up here – you will probably find us at the Collective, devouring the Portuguese Chicken or Jambalaya, paired perfectly with a local Pinot Noir.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
I have recently been diagnosed with a chronic pain syndrome called CRPS. It stands for Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. A rare condition, it developed after I underwent an ankle fusion surgery just over two years ago. I suffered a horrible break in the ankle nearly 10 years ago, when I was 38 weeks pregnant with my daughter. The ankle developed bone on bone arthritis, and unfortunately had to be fused. So I now deal with invisible pain every single day, and under the care of a pain specialist to help deal with this. I couldn’t cope with CRPS without the love, care and understanding of my husband and children. I refuse to let this pain condition define me, and tackle each day with a smile.
