The story of my first year (most of it)

Last year I learned a lot. I poured myself into woodworking and laser engraving. My plans were to make lots of big things like chicknic tables (a picnic table for chickens), custom mail boxes, decorative trays, planters and so many more ideas. Plans changed.

I started my journey by googling "rentable wood working tools". What I found was a maker space.

I never heard of such a thing! Maker Spaces are dedicated to providing tools to creators to start their business. This maker space had tons of shops, including a wood working shop, ceramics, 3d printing, photography and more.

Walking though the first time was such an eye opener. Not only could I do wood working but laser cutting, spray paint, stickers and my mind was reeling!

Wood Shop at Lowell Makes Maker Space during Skill Share

I focused and decided that, while I learn the ins and outs of wood, I can make some small sells with key chain charms. These little charms, I did as a side thing, exploded in sales. I had no idea that so many people would love them.

I signed up with Brox Farms, a local farm on a very busy road. They display my little country inspired charms and I get tons of eyeballs on my logo. It's a win that should definitely be celebrated. Going from nothing to in a store, in one year is monumental.

Picture I took after adding the first stickers with barcode to my keychains for selling at Brox Farms

That being said, the charms are small sells and I still had ideas for more. I made some long decorative wooden trays. They looked okay but I wanted to stand out form the crowd so I set out to devise a way customers could customize them. Give the customer a unique piece that fits there style and the current season while also giving me up-sell options to offer.

I wanted a rope with decorative, custom painted wooden balls, to be strung form one side of the tray to another. I would have different styles of these strings of decorative balls. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July. However there were 2 big problems.

I solved the problem of the rope attaching temporary to the tray so customers could change them out. However, the tray would have ugly holes for the ropes to slide in and out of. The holes looked bad if you didn't want the rope in. Another problem was the balls themselves.

To get he inner circumference at just the right size so the balls strung on easily but were tight enough to not slide, I had to drill them out. It took a long time and since they were round, it was dangerous. I had to go back to the drawing board.

The first design of my tray filled with fresh picked apples from Parlee Farms. You can see the problem holes at ether end.

I turned my attention to making a matching game for kids. It's pieces were inspired by country life. Making them out of wood helped parents keep the pieces clean and the thick size insure they didn't get lost as easily. The game was also a hit. I almost sold out at my first booth, only having one left.

I made some personal things. A decorative sign for my mom, a set of coasters for my parents, and my most proud achievement, a VHS shelf for my kids.

VHS shelf with movies in it

Now it's a new year and I turned my attention back to my trays. I have now decided to go in a new direction. Imagine the side of the tray is a beautiful wooden layered art piece. A scene made with layer on layer of thin wood in themes for the season or even custom with the family name. How to attach the tray add-ons? Magnets, hidden in the tray.

If all goes right, my trays will look great even without the addon, with the magnets hidden in the side. Yes... if. I will soon test my plans. My designs are done and the magnets are ordered. Next post I'll let you know how it goes, with hopefully some pictures to show!

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