Beer Bottle Openers & Cap Tray

I’ve heard “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Only recently did I know this was a quote from Confucius and as I get older this only rings more true.

As a kid I grew up with loving parents that owned and operated their own building business, and as a young adolescent kid I had a creative side that is still strong today. I remember for hours I would sit on the steps that led from the kitchen to our 24’x36’ garage just pondering and thinking of what I could make as intently as if I was pondering the meaning of life.

I remember at times I’d be out there for so long “working” or more likely creating that when I did finally look at the clock I would see that 5-6 hours had gone by and it was 2:00 am and everyone had gone to sleep. Mom and dad never bugged me; they just let me be as if they knew this was my therapy. And in so many ways it was, it is. For birthdays and Christmas gifts I started to ask for tools rather than toys and little by little my toolbox grew.

I’d make anything I could think of from a cart for the rubbish barrels to stuff for mom’s kitchen and if it wasn’t perfect, I’d scrap it and start over. I’m not sure if it was how I was brought up or just me, but I was a little perfectionist in the making. I remember even one year making a hope chest and dad asked me where I had learned to do all of this stuff because “he didn’t teach it to me” (he was a rough carpenter) and this was all finish work. While I don’t remember my reply, I know that I succeeded after failing many times and tossing so many projects that “weren’t perfect”.

Then around 15 I decided to start my own business selling and raising rabbits, which I did successfully. Interestingly enough the money wasn’t in selling the rabbits, but in selling the handmade rabbit cages and getting listings in the local paper for free. I did so well that when dad was laid off from his job one winter he made 13 cages and started selling them for extra cash.

Still, while I was a kid with an incredibly creative side, I never followed my heart. I didn’t think I could make enough money following this hobby and did not follow my dreams, but instead the almighty dollar. Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining I’ve had a nice life, but now at the age of 38 I realize that money isn’t everything and one must be truly happy with what satisfies their soul.

I firmly believe that things happen for a reason and just before Christmas of 2012 I was laid off from a software sales job that I truly hated. I had never lost a job before in my life and while I was unsure of my feeling at the time, I felt more relieved like a huge burden was lifted from me. It was at that time that I said to myself what if? I started by making this beautiful jewelry box for my girlfriend, buying my first bandsaw and it began.

Just like when I was 15 in my parent’s garage, I was now in my shed working 12+ hours a day crafting anything and everything I could think of. However, now I wanted to start incorporating not just lumber, but beautiful wood with character and beauty and transform it into art. It was then that Live Edge Woodcrafts was born. It’s still a struggle now, trying to sell online, trying to visit craft shows to sell my artwork, but every time I go to a mill I feel like a kid in the candy store and I get goose bumps.

I’m determined to make this work, to make a living from it some way, somehow. I truly have to thank my beautiful girlfriend Janice for supporting me and backing me all along the way, for at times only she had faith in me as I went searching for my soul.

Here is a quick idea of some of the items I have built before.

Reclaimed Pallets

1. Tables
2. Wine Racks with and without Wine Glass Holders
3. Book Racks
4. Custom wall Shelves
5. Waste Baskets
6. Wall Art (yes I said wall art)
7. Coat and Hat racks
8. Clocks
9. Chests

Driftwood

1. Mirrors
2. Coat Racks
3. Canes/Walking sticks

Live Edge Pieces

1. Thermometer, Barometer, Hygrometer wall hangings
2. Bandsaw Jewelry Boxes
3. Wall Mirrors
4. Business card holders
5. Wine Racks
6. Picture Frames
7. Votive and T-light holders
8. Coffee Tables and small tables
9. Benches
10. Shelves and racks of many designs
11. Signs
12. Trinket boxes
13. Real Antler lamps
14. Log Lights
15. Bar Stools

Furniture

1. Half Round Tables
2. Cedar Lined Hope Chests
3. End & Coffee Tables
4. Corner TV Stands
5. Kitchen Tables

If there is something you'd like made just ask!

I will also ship anywhere in the world. Just ask and I will be more than happy to get you an estimate of the item you are interested in.