Notes From The Woodpile

Busy in the Woodpile

2011-11-19T20:19:00.002-05:00

It is that time of year again. Christmas is right around the corner and things are busy here in the woodpile. Fortunately for me, we have finished all of the tornado repairs at the church to allow for a little more time in the shop. After busy days, it makes for many late nights, but I love working in the shop. This years big seller seems to be cornhole boards. My wife has been trying to get me to make these for over a year, I finally got around to it, now that seems to be what most people want. One of these days I may find enough time to play the game myself. If you are looking for a Christmas idea, visit my website and see what is available. If it is wood, I will normally tackle it. Just remember, Christmas is closing in quick and you need to get your orders in soon. Until next time, keep the sawdust flying From The Woodpile.

Sanford Jub-i-lee

2011-10-01T21:10:00.004-04:00

Had our 1st show of the fall today at the Sanford Jub-i-lee. I met a bunch of nice folks and received some great comments on my crafts. The big hit of the day was the cornhole boards. If I only receive half the orders of those that said they will be calling, I will be a very busy man. I am loaded up and ready to head to the next show. I will be at the Goldston Old Fashion Day this coming Saturday October 8th. This will be the 1st time doing this show so not real sure what to expect. I hear it is very well attended, so hoping to do well. If you live in the area, stop by and see me. Keep in mind, Christmas is just around the corner. Get your orders in early to insure you have that perfect unique gift for that special someone. Until next time, keep the saw dust flying From The Woodpile.

Two Weeks and Counting

2011-09-16T21:29:00.003-04:00

Two weeks from tomorrow I will take part in my 1st craft show of the fall. I have been busy this week finishing up my trailer to haul all the crafts. I am hoping to get it titled and plates next week. Like always, I have many projects that I need to finish before "show time". I have finished two of my Corn Hole Sets and they look good if I must say so myself. I still need to pull my tent out and see if I will be able to fix it from where it collapsed under the wind back in April. So as you can see so much to do and so little time to do it. Hopefully it will all be worth it as the craft show season begins. Stop in and say high at the Sanford Jubi-Lee on October 1st at Depot Park. Until then, keep the sawdust flying From The Woodpile.

Back in Full Swing

2011-09-03T20:21:00.007-04:00

Things are officially back into full swing in The Woodpile. I have signed up for a booth at the Sanford Jubilee - October 1st and for the Goldston Old Fashion Day October 8th. I have a few things left in stock from last year's shows and from the show earlier this year in Broa

dway, but there is still much to be made. One new item I am adding to my portfolio this year is Cornhole Boards. I ha

ve started my first set (pictured above) and am going to test the waters and see how well they sell. I am starting with a NC State set and have the decals already for a UNC and my favorite VA Tech. I will go after church tomorrow to get the cloth for the bags and I should have my first set ready by weeks end. I am excited to see how they turn out. Look for pictures of these and many other crafts to be posted soon. It's going to be a bust couple of weeks. Until next time, keep the saw dust flying.

Playing Catch Up

2011-06-21T20:12:00.003-04:00

Last time I updated I was getting ready for my 1st craft show of 2011. Well to say it was a flop would be an understatement. It was raining off and on and the wind was ridiculous. It got so bad that it collapsed in the top of my tent. I packed it up and headed for home with the cost of space rental and now with a tent to replace I ended up loosing money. I wish I could say that was the worst news of the day. About an hour after arriving at home, an F3 tornado flattened half of our neighborhood. Our home and the shop escaped with just cosmetic damage, but homes around us where flatten and people lost everything. I have spent the last 2 months helping those around us recover and working at the church to repair our damage from the storm. I am still about a month behind, but am glad to announce that the saw dust is once again flying From The Woodpile. I hope to catch up soon but there is still a long road ahead to recovery.

1st show of the year

2011-04-11T07:38:00.002-04:00

I am busy getting ready for my first show of 2011. I am concentrating on scroll saw work for this one. Designing new clocks and plaques. Honestly I am way behind but going to try and get a day in the shop today and a few hours here and there throughout the week. Show is this Saturday, April 16th in Broadway, NC. (Broadway Our Way) I hear they have a real nice set up and a great deal of foot traffic. The weather man is not calling for the best weather, but we are still several days away. I hope he is wrong. I am also working on a few projects that have been ordered over the past few months. A few lighthouses, a twin platform bed with drawers on one side and chest storage on the other, and rebuilding a bird feeder. I am definitely keeping busy, but it is a good escape for me and I enjoy it as a hobby as well as a way to make a little extra money. I have already been invited to a show in October as well. I hope to be better about getting updates on the blog this year. Please pass the link along to your friends and consider becoming a follower of the blog. Until next time, keep the saw dust flying.

A New Year

2011-01-04T22:20:00.002-05:00

Had a very busy end to my first official year in business as From The Wood Pile. I set up twice at the Raleigh Flea Market and once at the Broadway Christmas parade during the month of December. December 4th - Raleigh Flea Market, run off at 1pm by snow. December 11th - Broadway Christmas Parade, snow, sleet, and rain all day. December 18th - Raleigh Flea Market - run off by snow at 3pm. Did I mention this was all in North Carolina, unheard of. Anyway, despite the weather, I still managed to sell a few things each week. At least enough to cover my cost for setting up. All and all, I would say it was a good 1st year. I got much experience and am looking forward to doing a few shows in 2011. I am still trying to decide on one main craft to go with. I have a few projects already lined up for this month so I will not be taking a break in the shop like I did this time last year. I hope to be sharing new crafts soon. Have an idea for a neat wood craft, drop me a note. Until next time, keep the saw dust flying From The Wood Pile.

Ready for Christmas

2010-11-10T14:49:00.000-05:00

If you watch the news like I do, they are forecasting another tough economical Christmas. That usually means Wal-Mart is in and us small time crafters are out. I am not giving up hope. I have been busy in the shop crafting and busy online looking for new places to sell and promote. I have done a local craft show, our church yard sale, and will be headed up to the state fair grounds next weekend to try my luck there. I have sold a few things and have had many interested that "will be contacting me" before Christmas, but business is slow. Maybe with Thanksgiving around the corner, people will start thinking about doing some shopping. One thing about it, we can offer a unique Christmas gift, something you won't find in the store and that people are sure to love. Take a look and see what we have. Need something you do not see, if it is wood, send us a picture or a description and I am sure we will tackle it. Until next time keep the saw dust flying From The Wood Pile.

My 1st Craft Show

2010-10-26T19:41:00.001-04:00

I finally did it. After talking about it for a couple of years, I entered into my first craft show this past weekend. It was a small one here in town, but it gave me a chance to get my feet wet and see what to expect before stepping out into a bigger show. I made a lot of local contacts with several commitments for purchase between now and Christmas. I am not counting on them until I see them, but if just 1/4 follow through, it could keep me pretty steady. I did enjoy the show and I made enough to cover my booth rental and the tent and table I bought for the show. I will be doing a few more local yard/craft sales between now and Christmas to try and raise a little money for Christmas gifts. Until next time, see you at the woodpile.

No Turning Back Now

2010-10-04T19:44:00.000-04:00

Well it is official, I have submitted my application to be a craft vendor at the upcoming Sanford Jubi-Lee. Now I just have to get everything ready for the sale. As you can see by the picture, I have stuff everywhere in the shop. I am going to bring my scroll work, one lighthouse and then some of my Christmas crafts. I still do not know where I am going to find the time to get it all done, but I am sure I will. This will be my first show so I am a little nervous. I welcome any input from any of you that have either participated in a craft show or those of you that may frequent them. Still having a little trouble making up my mind on pricing, I need to make it worth my while, but I do not want to price myself out of the market. This is really a test show for me, that is why I chose to start out with a local show. It may not be the best venue for what I am selling, but will give me an idea of what I need to work on before investing in a bigger show. I am also working on a redesign for my website www.fromthewoodpile.com. I hope to have it up and running by the end of the month. I will try to keep you up-to-date. Until next time, keep the saw dust flying and I will see you at the woodpile.

Getting Ready

2010-09-20T21:25:00.000-04:00

I am planning on submitting an application to enter the Sanford Jubi-Lee held here in town on October 23rd. In order to be ready for this event, I have been trying to get some time in the shop. Here is my latest creation. My goal is to produce at least 2 items a week until the craft show. Feel free to leave your comments including suggestions on possible sale prices. That is going to be the hardest part for me. The plaque here is about 8in x 8in scrolled out of 1/2in Cherry with a flat black 1/8in Baltic birch plywood back. I look forward to your feedback.

Change of Course

2010-09-01T21:18:00.000-04:00

I am looking to enter some craft shows this fall so I am taking my focus away from team crafts for a while and returning to my scroll saw. I have included a picture here of one of the projects that I will be selling. The only problem now is trying to set a price. It is complicated because of the amount of time that is put into something like this. I want to be compensated for the time, but not price out of the market. If you have any ideas on a price, feel free to leave a comment. Wish me luck, I need to produce about 2-3 scroll projects a week to be ready for the first show at the end of October. Between church and other commitments, I see some late nights in my future. Until next time, see you at The Wood Pile.

A Thank You Gift

2010-08-27T14:49:00.000-04:00

"Nobody gets there on their own, we all have help along the way." Not sure who said it, but I am finding this thought holds true in the wood craft world. Even in today's world of the internet, and multimedia, still the best way to get the word out is a simple recommendation from a friend. Running a small made-to-order craft shop, a recommendation from a friend is my best advertising tool. I have a few folks locally that I have made things for that pass the word around, and then I have some that help me get some of my items out for public display. As a thank you gift for one such person, I made the plaque that you see here. It is a scroll of a bass on a spoon lure mounted on a cross cut of basswood. I thought it made my thank you a little more personal than a card. Looking for a more personal gift, visit me at From The Wood Pile. Until next time, see you at The Wood Pile.

Back to the Beginning

2010-08-24T21:14:00.000-04:00

When I started woodworking years ago in my dads wood shop, I started out on the scroll saw. I can still remember watching him trying to keep his cool as I snapped blade after blade because as he said I was to impatient. Well I would like to think I have learned a little patience over the years and I hope it shows in the detail of some of the latest crafts coming out of The Wood Pile. One of my latest is pictured here, it is a lab with a mallard and measures approximately 8"x7" . It is sure to be a hit with the outdoorsman on your Christmas list. Place your order today and keep your eye open for more coming soon. Until next time, see you at the wood pile.

Time to start the Christmas list

2010-08-19T20:38:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner. Anyone can give a gift card or pick up a gift from Wal-mart, but what about getting that special someone something unique this year. I am sure From The Wood Pile has something just for you. Browse around out website and if you do not find it their, send us a note I am sure we can find something for you. Have you seen something out there that you just adored? Send us a picture or a description, we can turn it into that special gift. Remember quality crafts take time so get your orders in today. See you at the scroll saw. ~ Doug

Welcome

2010-08-19T20:13:00.001-04:00

I am trying something new to keep you up to date with all that is going on at From The Wood Pile. I will use this blog to show you all the new creations coming out of the wood pile and to post a note every now and then about something on my mind. I will also use this blog site for helpful tips for doing your own wood crafts. I hope you enjoy, and please feel free to comment. See you at the scroll saw.