From Humble Beginnings to Handcrafted Creations

My journey into woodworking began when I purchased my first home. Like many new homeowners, I soon discovered that furnishing a house could be both costly and unsatisfying—the furniture from big-box stores was overpriced and lacked quality. Determined to find a better solution, I decided to try building my own. At that time, my "workshop" was nothing more than a hand drill and a small miter saw. Like many DIY beginners, I relied heavily on a Kreg jig. My very first real project was redoing a kitchen. I figured I might as well go big. With the help of a book on how to build cabinets, I found the most beautiful wood I knew, which was hickory, and just dove into it.

First big project in my first house

Back then, YouTube tutorials weren’t the endless resource they are today, so I turned to stacks of woodworking books to learn new techniques. I started making pieces as I needed them, slowly upgrading my tool collection along the way. My garage became my permanent workshop—never once housing a car—just a comfortable space to create.

What the workshop has turned into

“The garage has always been my workshop—no cars allowed, just sawdust and projects.”

Over time, woodworking grew from a necessity into something much more: a craft I genuinely love. Along the way, I’ve faced challenges, made mistakes, and found creative solutions that have shaped me into the woodworker I am today.

One of my recent projects is a blanket chest built from barn wood provided by a customer. The wood came from their family farm, complete with a picture and dimensions to guide me. Working with weathered barn wood presented its own set of difficulties, so I laminated it onto plywood for stability. To achieve a tongue-and-groove effect, I used a V-groove router bit, improvising as I often do. In the end, the chest turned out to be one of my favorite pieces—both rustic and sturdy, filled with history and character.

Reclaimed Barn Wood Blanket Chest

“Barn wood blanket chest—crafted from reclaimed family farm wood, blending history with craftsmanship.”

I’m excited to continue sharing my projects, challenges, and discoveries with you. Woodworking is a journey, and each build brings something new to learn. Until next time, happy building.