What is FSC? And why we use it.

If you order a custom sign, these carvings are on FSC White Wood.  Our wedding cake stands are made from FSC Select Pine and Birch.

What does FSC mean? 
FSC = Forest Stewardship Council

What is the FSC? 
They are an international non-profit organization established to promote responsible management of the world’s forests.  

What does that mean? 
This offers customers, around the world, the ability to choose products from socially and environmentally responsible forestry. 

Think: Eco-friendly

What about reclaimed wood?
We do use our fair share of reclaimed wood for many of our smaller signs, and non-custom phrase designs.  Unless specially requested, we don't use it for custom signs due to the lack of consistency.  We've found customers typically want something similar to what is in the item listing photos, and the only way we can achieve that is through the use of wood that looks comparable, free of nail holes, nicks, and scratches.

Why don't you use MDF when it's more economical? 
Well, that's because MDF is an engineered wood. They break down hardwood and softwood into fibers, and then press them back together. 

Why is that a problem? 
Well, because Formaldehyde resins are commonly used to bind MDF together, and testing has consistently revealed that MDF products emit urea-formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds that pose health risks at sufficient concentrations, for at least several months after manufacture. 

Think: NOT Eco-Friendly or Healthy (like, at all)

Where we land:
We believe a custom wooden carved sign in your home should be free of contaminants and be as eco-friendly as possible. By purchasing wood that is in regulated forests, protecting nature and the life it supports, and using eco-friendly finishes, we can make something healthy and sustainable for your home, that'll last for years upon years. And, with no harmful chemicals or agents that can be emitted into the air you, or I, breathe!  YAY!

Wood Grain Wednesday - Faces

I always see lots of faces in wood.

And most of them look like aliens to me.

Harebrained Ideas

Why is it that when I'm ridiculously busy that I get these creative sparks to do new and different things?

Like I have the time to implement them.

I have a folder on my computer dedicated to things to make later...and then a physical file of sketches and ideas that come to me throughout the day.

It feels a little like procrastination, but it really, really isn't.  I don't have the habit of putting things off.  I'm more of a doer, can't sit down for a second, and someone that loves adores checking things off lists.

But this one, this one, didn't hit my "make it later" pile.

A friend of mine, his profile picture on facebook, is a drawing caricature of himself.

Last week, I got the harebrained idea to make a wood carving out of it.  And, then, just stain the drawing outline in black, like ink!

Like I had the time.

But, I made the time.  I was so excited when it came off the machine, I was bouncing around the house.  We even had our friend come over this weekend to get it because I couldn't keep the secret.

His laugh, chuckle, and smile, when he saw it, made my day.

Big thanks to my hubby for re-drawing our friend's sketch in Illustrator for me, and making it possible.  Sometimes the harebrained ideas are the best ones.

Wood Grain Wednesday - Rock Biter

Have you ever seen The Neverending Story?

I just cannot wait until my son is old enough to be able to handle the scarier parts of the movie.

This edition reminds me of the Rock Biter.

If I ever find one that looks like Falkor, that'll just make my day.

Scrap to Wonderful

All around the workshop are piles of wood.  I can't bring myself to throw any of it away.

I mean, I'm in the business of re-using things...bringing the reclaimed wood out and doing something with it!

I've gotten busy with all the sign making for the past couple, well, years.  I've been working with clients, coming up with new designs, and carving into pieces of wood, phrases I really like.

I received a request to make a few more of my reclaimed wood "pieces" crosses.  

I had a maxed week ahead of me, and they needed to get done on this particular week, to get to my client in time for a Confirmation.  I went back and forth on whether or not to do it.  

My heart said, "yes, of course!" but my head said, "No way, dude!  You don't have time!  Look at this list of signs!  I mean, come on!  It's just not possible!  It's too much stress!"

At night, when I brought it up with my husband, he said, "We'll get it done."

Which makes me laugh, in part, because "we'll" is me.  Like, when I say, "we put the sandbox together" and it was all him?  Ya.  Same thing.

Except, that I suppose, the "we" part triggers in on the other party manning the baby.  So, that counts.

I only had to make three for this client, because I had two in the shop already.  

Then, overnight, before she could buy it, one of the crosses sold!  Now, I had to make four.

I was in the "I can do it" mode, but I have to admit, I was still a little like.....what the heck?  Why now, when I'm so busy?

I got to them right away, laying out the wood, and marking all the lines.  I'd lose track of time, while cutting, sanding, and putting them together.  

I'd go out late at night, after the baby was asleep and all the chores of the day were done, and work on them some more.

Then, I'd work on them first thing in the morning.  I'd completely forget about any other little thing that needed to be done.  

You know that part of work where it becomes blissful?  It was that.

I ended up making 6 crosses that week.  And, now I have 3 more on my workbench.

I had forgotten how much I like this sort of "assembly" type work, and making something wonderful come out of a pile of scrap wood.

I had sent her pictures before shipping them off.  I told her the striped wood is actually left-over from a guitar my husband is building with a friend.  My client said it was perfect because one of her students plays the mandolin and was thinking of making one over the Summer.

Sometimes being pushed to do something I don't quite think I have time for, is exactly when I remember why I enjoy my job as much as I do.

Wood Grain Wednesday - Shocked!

Maybe he was electrocuted?  Or he's just shocked.

Or, he's a ghost!

Wood Grain Wednesday - Spots

I love these pieces of pine that have awesome spots on it.  Like an animal.  

Especially once they're stained.

Wood Grain Wednesday - Lines

I was sanding out in the workshop this morning, and I ran across this piece of wood.  I have never seen straighter lines, and I thought it was quite beautiful.

Sometimes I wonder what these little trees go through in life to make the patterns in the wood.  It would be an interesting story, I'm sure.