My Humble Apologies...

...For not updating more over the last few weeks.

Things have been hectic for the past few weeks, with fairs, special events and the regular farmer's markets taking place, as well as custom orders and regular sales both steadily climbing. Throw a dash of family life in there and there's not a ton of space for blogging left over.

In fact things have been so busy that not only have I not been posting as many items as I would like, I'm not even getting pics taken of them as often as I should. So I must apologise for falling behind on this, especially to those of you who actually check out the blog for gift and shopping ideas.

This week will be a busy one...again. The Madoc Fair is next weekend (mark it on your calendars, Sept. 13-15) and I will be working like mad to catch up on some backorders, restocking regular items, doing some custom orders and finally trying to kick out some new items in time for the fair.

However, during all of this madness (that I love) I will try to get some pics taken of all the stuff I haven't snapped yet, and hopefully I can manage a post a day as I was not too long ago. I have been trying, and still am, to make this blog an integral part of the Maple Ridge Creations customer interaction experience. However, I need your help.

Some of you have been following the blog for some time, and some of you have been following the business even longer and I am asking for your help in a couple of ways:

1. Be honest in your feedback. I like glowing reviews; I think everyone does; but in order for me yo continue to grow I need to hear the bad along with the good. I think I notice most of my mistakes, but feedback is only worthwhile if it's honest and both broad and specific .

2. Spread the word. Add the blog to your RSS feed, +1 us on google+, like us on facebook, share posts everywhere and remember that you do not have to be local to the Madoc area to buy or order things. So when someone is looking for toys: tell them about us. When someone is having a baby shower, wedding shower, anniversary, birthday, retirement party, or housewarming party: think Maple Ridge Creations. And please don't think that we're limited to just what's in stock. some of our best items have come about because someone decided to think outside the box.

One last thing you can do: If you are planning on ordering something for Christmas, please (please, please) don't wait until the last minute to do so. Things are already getting busy for Christmas and while I am trying to stay on top of them, if you wait until Dec. 20th to order something for your nephew or grand-daughter, I can't promise it will get there on time even if I can get it made within an hour. please try to get your Christmas orders in by the end of October. Obviously, if they come later i will still do my best, and I'd like to stay busy to the end, but less stress is good for all of us I think :) and earlier is...well...just better.

thanks to all of you who have helped make the business a success so far. We are hoping for greater things by the end of the year and have lots of plans for new products in the near future.

Toy Helicopter

One of my original toys, finally seeing the light of the internet!

I made one of these for my boys about 9 months ago, and to the credit of the wood, it's still in one piece!A little dinged up, but still in great shape. 

Made from spruce and pine (and a bit of BB plywood), sanded smooth and sold unfinished and chemical free so you know it's safe for your children and you can decorate it yourself (if you want). A couple small dabs of non-toxic wood glue hold on the pontoons and that's it. No metal parts are used, only wood.

A great toy for kids of all ages or a great gift for aviation enthusiasts. For custom staining or finishing additional fees apply, ask for details when ordering . Shipping available worldwide.

The Christmas season for custom ordering has officially begun. If you want something guaranteed in time for Christmas make sure to order soon.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.