Friday 30 August 2013

Marmora Fall Fair this weekend

No pictures, so most of you probably won't get much past this part :)

Just kidding of course, I know you're all the highly literate type; hence you're spending you time looking at blogs...which you found through facebook...HEY....it's still reading, right?

Anywho...this weekend is Labour Day weekend here in Canada, which means it's time for the Marmora Fall Fair again. Same weekend every year, since longer than I can remember.

I mention this for a couple reasons:

First off, I like to support local events in whatever ways I can. Especially when they aren't being done with my tax dollars for a cause I don't support. Since I don't live in Marmora, nothing they do is with my tax dollars, and since the fair is to support...umm...the fair (?)...and fairs are awesome, I'm pretty down with that.

Secondly, fairs are awesome. Especially to residents of small towns. It's typically the only chance most of us get to ride a ferris wheel for the whole year. Plus you get to check out local farmers produce and livestock, see some sights, enjoy live music and hang out with your buds at the shooting gallery in the midway. Like i said, awesome!

Thirdly, you get to check out some local vendors, most of whom probably don't have storefronts. Sure there are the fair jumping vendors who cover the province every year following agricultural fairs around and peddling their wares, but there's always a few locals that you might only see in public once a year, then they go back under their rock and prepare for next year.

Which brings me to my real point: Vainglorious, self-aggrandising promotion. That is to say, the reason i mention the Marmora fair is that I will be there. The obvious implication of which is that you should come and see me.

This might seem a bit self centered, and it is. After all, I am a businessman and I only get money from voluntary transactions of goods and services. You coming to the fair means you get to enjoy all the splendours of points one and two, and check out my wares and see what I have in stock, and maybe bounce some ideas off of me regarding custom wood projects for your house, cottage, workplace or look into original ideas for gifts.

I know some of you won't be able to make it, and I don't blame you, some of you live on the other side of the planet! But for those of you who get a chance, stop on by, take an afternoon or so to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of the fair, and visit with some of the vendors. And if you're new to town or don't come often, stop by the farmer's market at the park on Hwy 7 and tell them Don sent you

The Marmora Fall Fair runs from Saturday morning through to Monday afternoon. Demolition derby is Saturday night. For more info visit http://www.marmorafair.org/fair.html.

See you there!

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Climbing Flower Clock

A charming little mantle clock with a 2 3/4" clock face, this cherry finished clock features simple design but with an intricate climbing flower pattern cut into the front. 


The top photo is by far the better one, but the bottom one shows colour better. The wood grain is clearly visible and Watco Cherry Danish oil (sounds like a dessert ingredient) gives it both colour and lustre. All of this astride a lovely maple coffee table (also available at the moment).


My couch figures largely into this pic. While not a typical place to put a clock, it does have good lighting, hence accurate colour representation.

Of course as always this can be custom made to your specifications. Size, colour and even the in cut pattern can all be changed to make this into YOUR clock.

Contact me anytime to see what I can make for you.

Tuesday 27 August 2013

Bowls

A little something to dress up your coffee tables and china cabinets. Three different styles of bowls, each made from layers of 1/4" baltic birch plywood. Feel free to ignore the colours and focus on the design since these can be made in a wide variety of colours. 


This is the small round layered bowl. Measuring about 6" across with rounded contours. 


The "triangular cut" bowl. Sharp angles throughout alternating and visible both through the top and sides.


Apparently this is known as a cosulet, although I'm not exactly sure what that means yet, but I think it has something to do with either a basket or weaving. This has an alternating pattern of three sharp points and long smooth curves. A lovely pattern.


These can be made to almost any size, and in any available colour. They can be used as candy dishes, napkin holders, or any other purpose you can conceive of.

Order now and get to the front of the growing Christmas custom order list.

Thursday 22 August 2013

Dinosaurs!!!

Who doesn't like dinosaurs? No, seriously?

These are the first members of my new dinosaur toy line. These are (obviously) pull toys, but can be made into wheeled toys (without the string), puzzles or stand up figures. 

As pull toys they are cut from 1 1/2" spruce with 3/4" pine wheels. Completely chemical free and waldorf in style. Staining and finishing extra will incur additional fees but are available upon request. Feel free to ask for additional options. 


Group shot of the five current patterns. Forgive the lighting...after dark with a flash on our living room carpet.


Tyrannosaurus Rex. Can't have a dinosaur set without one.


Stegosaurus.


Ankylosaurus, which my wife says I have to name or no one will know what it is...


Triceratops, the other must have.


Apatosaurus, once known as the brontosaurus.

All are based on artists to scale depictions of dinosaurs with additional research for accurate referencing.

The Christmas season of toys, ornaments and custom orders has begun and fair season is upon us as well. Order these soon and be guaranteed delivery before Christmas.

Remember, I run a wood shop, not a retail store. I actually have to make your stuff before i can sell it to you.

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Giant Spiders....AHHHHH

No, no...they're not real. Seriously, stop screaming. 

I first showed one of these to my wife and she said, "It's very well done dear....I don't like it."

Based on the Spider-Man chest insignia, this fits into your decor whether you love spiders or superheroes, and is a must if you like both. 


Cut from 3/4" pine and stained Minwax Jacobean, it can stand up or be mounted to a backer, or be hung from an eye hook.


That's it for today, there's your bonus post.

Check in tomorrow for a new new set of toys that you're sure to love.

Hanging Feathers

Add a little something to a window or wall with one or more of these decorative feathers. 

1/4" baltic birch plywood, and in stock in multiple colours (only unstained shown here), these can be hung from a string in a window or from a small nail on a wall. 


If there's something you'de like to see in a feather, just let me know. There may be some special ordered feathers showing up here soon. 


Again, things getting busier. Send your custom orders in soon. It's NOT too soon to order for Christmas.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Wooden Motorcycles (not necessarily street legal, check your local bylaws)

This was something I fooled around with months ago but never returned to until now. My boys loved the original, but it was hard to stand up and didn't roll very well due to a thin wheel system.


But now it's back, and possibly my new favourite wooden vehicle.

The front wheel is oversize, giving it some "bad boy" feel, and both wheels are 3/4" wide so the bike stands up easily and rolls great. It can still fall over, it's not a land rover or anything, but it's pretty stable.


The rest of the body is cut from solid 1 1/2" spruce, and they are made 100% chemical free, not even glue! The axles are driven in with a hammer (light taps only) and sanded flush (so there's no pokey bits).

As always custom staining and finishing are available upon request.


My busy season is approaching. Fall fairs, then craft shows and Christmas sales. So if you would like custom crafted items, there really is no better time to start ordering and inquiring. It is NOT too early to start thinking about Christmas, especially if there is a lot of detail or design involved in your item.

Email me at mapleridgecreations@gmail.com or call at 613-473-5408 (please try to call between 8am and 8pm where possible.

Saturday 17 August 2013

Puzzles

The wooden puzzle is comfortably the domain of the scroll saw, and I admit to finding them fun to make. I have a few patterns I have cut, but really any pattern or silhouette can be made into a puzzle. 


This was posted earlier this week as part of a custom order. Based on a honeybee, I had no pattern beforehand, but quickly came up with one for the pull toy which accompanied the puzzle as part of the order. Then based on the pull toy design I cut this out.


A lion (which you no doubt already knew). So far all the wooden puzzles I have cut have been made from 3/4" pine and have been able to stand on their own when assembled. Please note: they don't stand up on their own, but once you stand them up they remain standing until something lays them down again.


Another profile of the lion.

The honeybee disassembled.

I have done some other puzzles but don't have pics of them to show at the moment. The options are virtually limitless. If you have an idea to enrich the life and mind of a young child (or anyone else) send me your idea and I'll get you the puzzle you want. Why limit yourself to the small selection of a store when it's just as easy (if not easier) to have me make you the one you want, instead of just settling for the one available on the shelf?

Friday 16 August 2013

Where to find me on weekend: Farmer's markets

If you're reading this, you're probably not entirely new to this blog or my products. Maybe you've seen some of my stuff on Facebook (like us on FB!) or seen some pictures someone has shared (happily of course!) or you've just seen the things I post on here. At some point, perhaps, you've thought, "It would be nice to actually SEE some of this stuff in real life, but I don't know where or how to do that."



Well I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that if you live on the West Coast, or in Russia, or...most of the rest of the world actually...the only way you'll see most of this stuff in real life is to either travel a long way to visit the Madoc area or buy something from just a picture online and look at it when it arrives in the mail.

The good news is, if you are local (more or less) to the Madoc/Marmora "Comfort Country" area you can either contact me to stop by the shop for a visit (there's really not much to "tour") or stop by one of two local farmer's markets.



For a few months now I have been a regular at the Marmora farmer's market on Saturdays. The market runs from around 8AM to 2PM, though you'll find vendors set up before and after those times (don't trust to later though, come early).  The market sets up in the park down by the river on Hwy 7 next to the information center. Visitors will recognize it as a market by the small tent city which appears seemingly out of nowhere between 7 and 9am.

I have for some time now been toying with the idea of setting up at the Madoc Friday market. Madoc runs a market on fridays and Saturdays; the Saturday event being more formal and being accompanied by live music. However, having built up a bit of a customer base in marmora, and typically having custom orders to deliver as well, I stick to marmora for Saturdays. Friday there is a smaller, less formal assembly of vendors and I've recently joined their ranks.



How recently? Well, this morning was my first appearance. I was there bright and early with my full inventory show setup. Frankly, it was a bit of a disappointment. Not a lot of foot traffic, not a lot of market visitors and not a lot of sales. But, a few cards went out to interested potential buyers, which is good, and I'll be back again next week, having been assured that business was slow today.

The Madoc market has a small location in downtown Madoc where the municipality has built a large open shelter to house vendors, complete with washrooms at the West end of the pavilion. The hours are more or less the same as Marmora's, 8-2, but again, both Fridays and Saturdays.



So why do I do the small local markets? Well sales are normally decent and it gets me out of the shop at least once a week, but more than that it's the opportunity to meet people from the community and develop a bit of a relationship with many of them. I like talking to folks for the umpteenth time about new products and having them know that the stuff I sell is dependably built.

And let's be honest: I love custom work. When someone comes and asks me if I can make (insert idea here) I enjoy being able to talk it through with them on the spot and watching the expression on their face when I deliver it to them (almost always the following weekend). Don't get me wrong, I don't mind online sales at all, and i value all of my customers, but in most cases I can't be there when those orders get delivered to see those happy faces. And I don't think anything compares with the look on the face of a child when you hand them a toy that has been built just for them.



So if you're a local or just passing through, stop by and see me at one of our local markets. We can talk a while and I'll show you my new stuff that hasn't been posted yet, you can leave happy with something you know you'll like and maybe you can even look around at some of the other fine artisans and vendors too.

Don

Bookmarks and Farmer's Markets

I'm off to the Madoc farmer's market this morning and the Marmora market tomorrow. Interested locals (and tourists) can find me and a selection of my wares at those place. 

In the meantime, I leave you with some photos of wooden bookmarks. 


Only 6 different designs shown in pics, though I have 11 designs in stock at the moment and there are countless possibilities.


They're popular, inexpensive and easy to mail across the continent.


Don't forget to share this blog and send me your ideas for custom work and orders for things you like on the blog. Remember, we're not just for locals, we can ship to where you are.

Happy Friday.

Thursday 15 August 2013

Custom Honeybee Toys for Facebook Follower

So one of our facebook friends contacted us the other day about making some honeybee toys. 

We were only too happy to oblige :)


The pull toy (left) and puzzle (right) both standing together.


The puzzle dismantled.


The puzzle assembled. To date, all solid wood puzzles I have cut have been able to remain in a standing position without additional support. This one, as the first pic shows, is no different.


The pull toy (shown here before the pull was attached), is much like any other that I've made with the one difference that it has wings. In this case I have left the wings unglued so that they can be swiveled to the customer's preferred position before being set with glue.

At present this is in the mail to a very excited customer and FB follower. I sent pics when it was done (about 2 hours after being commissioned) and they were pretty happy with the results. 

So step up facebookers! Make your custom order today!

Follow and like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mapleridgecreations

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Celebrate Canada

 What's that? Canada Day was over a month ago? Doesn't matter, I'm patriotic all year long!

I cooked these up for Canada Day but have sold more of them in the past 2 weeks. And since I didn't have a blog at the beginning of July, I thought I'd post a pic.


It's all bb plywood construction, 1/4" for the back and 1/8" for the front coloured bits. Total size is around 10" x 7".

The little guys below are made of 1/4" bb ply and have not been stained yet. Just showing off the cuts.


Alternately, these would make some nice Thanksgiving decorations. Speaking of which, Christmas decorations will be starting to roll out soon. I've just started cutting some 3D ornaments.


If you have a picture or idea for an ornament of your own, contact me and I'll see what i can do to make it a reality. 

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Climbing Flower Clock

Another clock today. I had a lot of fun with clocks and hope to do a bunch more soon. 

This one is 3/4"pine with a 1/4" bb ply back, stained with Watco Cherry danish oil, which stains and seals in one step. 


The clock face is 2 3/4", but could, as with most of the other clocks I've made to date, be made larger or smaller.


An open invitation to any artististic types following this blog to come up with your own art to be cut into a clock like this. Maybe we'll have a contest and the winner gets a free clock with their design cut into it. Hmm...

In the meantime, this clock is available and custom models can be made. Send me your ideas. Please check out the other posts and contact me for pricing and shipping info.

Monday 12 August 2013

Hummingbird Clock

My apologies regarding the low quality of the pictures today...my wife was busy so I took them myself. Typically we have a good arrangement: I design, cut, sand, stain and finish and she photographs. Apparently it's a better arrangement than my taking pictures myself :(


This nifty little clock would look good on a mantle or accent table or wherever else you could think of to put it, really. Backer is 3/4" pine stained Minwax Red Chestnut, front is 1/4" baltic birch plywood stained Minwax golden pecan.
The clock face is 2 3/4".


Other designs can be made available. Just let me know what you'd like to see.

Spalted Coffee Table

Ok, so since everyone wants to see it and since you've all been nice today, consider this a bonus post for Sunday (even though it's 1/8th Monday already!)

The long awaited coffee table matching the wormy soft maple side table from a week or so back. 


I'll actually keep the details to a minimum. The construction is similar to the side table, spruce body, stained Minwax Early American. Solid wood top, wormy soft maple, finished all over with multiple coats of Interior Diamond Gloss Varathane.


I was (and am) very happy with how this turned out. The pictures cannot capture the inherent beauty of the maple. Beautiful spalting and a captivating quilting (or curling) pattern. The bottom pic best captures the quilting pattern.


It is a little more reddish than the pic shows as well.


I don't expect this piece to sit around for long. Contact me for details regarding purchase. I will say I'm cheaper than Ikea and if you buy this with the side table you'll save considerably.


As always, custom work available for your furniture. Maybe it's a small table like this or a large dining room table or a family sized picnic table. Maybe you like this spalted maple, or you'd prefer oak or walnut or elm, or maybe you'd like a basic, inexpensive table made from pine, spruce or hemlock. Contact me to see what I can make for you.

Sunday 11 August 2013

Dinosaur Pull Toy and Custom orders

So last weekend a woman came by my booth at the Marmora farmer's Market with her young son. He really liked the standup dinosaur puzzle I had on display, but she thought he was a bit young for it. So she asked if i could make her a pull toy in the same design. 

I could say that I couldn't do it, but from the pic below you've probably figured out the opposite is true. I told her she could pick it up the following weekend if she didn't need it sooner. "Really? You can have it ready that fast?" she asked. Apparently people are used to waiting a long time for custom orders to get done. 

I'd love to say that I'm so far behind in custom orders that I have a 3 week waiting period, but that's not true. Most of my sales come from in stock items, but I always prioritize my custom orders for a few reasons. 


First of all, it's a sale already made. After a bad experience with one customer (upon whom I am still waiting for pickup and collection) I have made it policy to request 1/2 price down payment minimum. If you've already paid for something, you don't want to wait longer than you have to, and I want to fulfill a paid obligation before anything else.

Second, it just seems to be good policy to look after your customers. Since I try to keep my regular items in stock, people just buying those items are almost never put out or waiting. They come looking and leave (I hope) happy. People who are looking for custom made items though, come looking and leave hopeful. I want them to have a pleasant experience and part of that is expedient service.

That's really what it's about for us here at maple Ridge, doing our very best to provide customer delight. Not just customer satisfaction. We like to see someone's eyes light up when they get that item that they ordered but have never before seen. That look that says to us, "Wow...that's even better than I had hoped!"

I get compliments on my work all the time, but the greatest compliments involve things like "Can I have a bunch of your cards to give out to my friends?" That's when i know I've done my job well.

So anyway...
About the dinosaur. The lady picked it up this past Saturday and was pleased with it. It is now among our regularly stocked items. It's made of 1 1/2" spruce with 1" pine wheels and some 3/16 dowel for axles. As with all of our pull toys it can be made into a wheeled toy (without the string pull) or a puzzle, or just a standup toy or scaled down (or up) as a cutout figure.

And for all the kids out there who like dinosaurs...I think  some more might be on the way soon..

*Note: The wood surface in the foreground is from my wormy maple coffee table. I finally took some pics and might even do an extra post tonight showing it off.

Saturday 10 August 2013

Coffee...or else!

So, if the feedback I get on these signs is any indication, caffeine may be the only thing holding our world back from the brink of destruction. 

Apparently a lot of you out there are coff-a-holics and the world at large is at danger when you don't get your fix, especially in the morning. 

The good news is that now you can advertise the threat you pose to society to those around you in an effort to make the world a safer place. Think of it as an invitation to others to promote world peace by getting you a coffee. 


Made from 2 layers of 1/4" baltic birch plywood and stained to make you think of your favourite caffeinated beverage. Put it up at home, work, your locker at school, wherever you like.


Other custom signs available upon request. Let me know what I can make for you.