Wood Strip Canoe

Brady has always loved to make things for fun. On his time off from his "real job" he found himself building a children's wooden Jeep ride-on toy, a wood strip canoe, paddles, and snowshoes. Some friends noticed his talent and Brady began to do small jobs for them. His wife, Jody, became addicted (like all of us) to shopping on Etsy. She thought to herself, why can't Brady turn his hobby into a hobby with a paycheck? After she invested some time in convincing him that people would not only accept his creations, but thoroughly appreciate them, he reluctantly agreed. In a matter of weeks after starting an Etsy store, Brady was asked to be featured, along with his wood side tables, in a real, legitimate book! That was the boost of confidence that he needed.

A few months later, Jody became aware of the almighty Renegade Craft Fair. They applied; they got in! Yoder's Wooded Lot was selected by Apartment Therapy as "Favorite Handcrafted Housewares at Renegade Craft Fair Chicago." During the meantime, they've focused on learning and growing their business.

Joining the handmade community has helped them become more aware of ways to be respectful to Mother Earth. They reuse old newspapers as packing materials and Jody gets the cardboard for the boxes from the wheelchair department at a local children's hospital. They've also gained a new appreciation for repurposing and reusing vintage goods.The rest of their story is still being written…