Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Trudeau
Hi Elise, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I have always been in awe of anything live edge. I love using nature to inspire a piece. My grandpa had a wood shop at his home in Colorado, and I would spend a week or two there every summer. Every year, we would come up with a new small project he would help me make. Once I stopped going to visit and got older, I only did a little with wood. I needed more time and space. However, once we moved into our home, I started designing and building wood accent walls, like board and batten, and various trim work.
As charcuterie became popular, I wanted a large board for entertaining, but I needed help finding one I liked at the price I wanted to pay. So, I decided to make my own Live Edge because that is my preferred style. I have only been creating live edge charcuterie and serving boards for about a year now, but I have learned a lot! I started playing around with epoxy, and if it fits into the wood while maintaining a more natural esthetic, I will use it. I often use clear to accent a large knot, hole, or crack, but sometimes I will try some fun colors!
A month after I started creating the boards, I acquired a decent-sized inventory, so I was searching for a makers market to sell them at. I found Beloved Makers, and being a local Hudson resident, I knew it was the perfect place to sell them. I also make custom boards that I sell locally. I do not ship. I tried that with Etsy, and it was just too expensive!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Yeshave learned much about epoxy. I also need a place to create the boards. I don’t have a workshop, just a little work table I bring outside on the driveway when it is nice and my basement for finishing. So, in the winter, I am limited and restricted by the weather to create new boards. Luckily, this past winter was mild so I could do more work on them!
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create live edge charcuterie boards and service trays. I am known for working with all wood species and custom-creating a board people will love, and it will be a statement piece at an affordable price! I create boards of all colors, varieties, shapes, and sizes. I am proud of teaching myself how to create these boards and want to make coffee and end tables someday. My ultimate goal is to create a dining room table for our family (I am still determining if I will get into creating dining room tables for others just yet). What sets me apart is that instead of making a standard rectangle or square river epoxy board, I work with the natural shape and size of the wood to create a live edge and more natural-looking charcuterie board. I also like to put fun handles on my boards for easy transport! One of my favorite handles is locally made macrame!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up.
We visited my grandparents in Colorado each summer. I also played outside in the pond and woods behind my house with my best friend, who lived across the street.
Pricing:
- Each piece is unique and pricing depends on size, wood species, and handle choice.
- Typically they range from $45.00-110.00
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planktoplatter/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PlanktoPlatter?locale=hi_IN
- Other: https://linktr.ee/planktoplatter
