New Rustic Wood Products

So back in the late fall we cut a bunch of wood cookies (slice off the end of a log). Below are the results from some of those cookies. 

This is a new type of product that I am hoping will do well this year. I will caption the products below, but here's a quick synopsis of related products that I hope to make that follow in these styles and out of different woods: Coasters, cake stands, cutting boards, trivets, candle holders, bowls, dishes, accent and conversation pieces, and more. 

Spalted Birch Bowl $35 SOLD

Shallow bowl made from spalted birch

Hard Maple Candle Holder $30 SOLD

3 candle holder from sugar maple

Spalted Birch Candle Holder $15 SOLD

Single candle holder from spalted birch

Hard Maple Candle Holder $25 SOLD

4 candle holder from sugar maple sapwood

Maple Heartwood Candle Holder $10

2 candle holder from sugar maple heartwood

Spalted Birch Accent $20 SOLD

Conversation/accent piece from spalted birch

Sumac Candle Holder $12 SOLD

Candle holder from staghorn sumac

All of the wood used in these projects has been gathered from fallen trees, effectively making it "reclaimed" and definitely sustainable. Each of these is completely unique. More kinds of wood and more variety of projects will be showing up throughout the year, especially once the snow melts and i can find downed trees again!

Back at Last...

Well, we're halfway through February and I haven't posted since December...

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and holiday season. I took a few weeks off from the shop to spend some time with the family and recover from the Christmas rush. Things have been busy nonetheless and so I find myself a bit behind posting some new things.

If you were a Maple Ridge Creations customer last year, or if you have been a regular blog follower, you should be aware of some changes that will be coming (some are already here) this year. Here's a quick breakdown of what to expect:

1. Product changes. From the beginning of June through to December this past year, we managed to turn out at least one new product every week. Some of those were very successful and some weren't. I will continue to experiment with new products this year (since there's a million things you can make out of wood) but the variety will likely not be growing quite as fast as it did last year. So some of the things you might have seen last year will likely not be returning this year, but they will continue to be available as custom orders.

Also related to product changes: Last year a lot of our selection was stained pine. Due to the amount of time involved in properly applying stain to every little hole, I am hoping to use a lot more hardwood this year, so expect to see more in maple, beech, cherry, walnut, mahogany and more. Hardwood is considerably more expensive than pine, but by saving time by not staining I hope to keep costs from increasing too much, while at the same time increasing quality and durability of many products.

2. Prices: I hate rising prices. Absolutely hate it. Sadly, however, some prices will be going up. For one thing, last year was a bit experimental. We have had some time over the holidays to examine a bit more closely our profit margins and the amount of time involved in certain products and we feel that we are still charging a fair price for the products and services being offered. The other factors are, unfortunately, government related. As electricity costs in Ontario continue to rise, and with food prices already going up in expectation of rising minimum wage, I need to make more money to maintain the same standard of living (which isn't all that high).
Shipping prices will continue to be done at estimated cost when made directly by email or phone, but shipping costs have gone up with Canada Post earlier this year.

3. Where to find us: Last year my bread and butter location was the Marmora Farmer's Market, and I will be there again this year on Saturdays through the warmer months. I plan to also spend some Saturdays at the Madoc Farmer's Market. How often I am there will depend on the reception of the community. I will continue to visit other venues as they become available, whether craft shows, fairs, fundraising events, etc. And of course you can find us here on the blog. Custom order inquiries can be done through phone (613-473-5408), email (mapleridgecreations@gmail.com) or in person. Shop visits are by appointment only, but can be arranged. I am always happy to sit down with you and work out what you want before you make a commitment to have me make it for you.

4. A real website (?): Nothing concrete is in the works quite yet, but we would like to have a proper website by sometime later this year where you can browse a gallery, make inquiries and order directly from the website. If there's anything you would like to see, please let me know.

Why am I telling you all of this? Quite simple. You are my fans, followers and customers, and many of you are friends as well and I value you and your input. I want to include you in the (not so secret) workings of Maple Ridge Creations.

Canada Flag $15

On a quick final note: I will be putting another post up almost immediately after this one featuring some new products that I've been playing with over the Christmas break, so be sure to check that out too.

It's good to be back! Thanks for reading!

End of the Year...

So here's where we are: there are eight (8) days until Christmas, two (2) weeks until New Year's Eve and that means that you have seven (7) days left to get quality unique products from Maple Ridge Creations before having to wait until the new year. Fear not, gentle blog reader, fear not...there is yet hope...

The 2013 craft market has effectively ground to a halt. However, to give everyone a chance to do some last minute Christmas shopping, Maple Ridge Creations (that's me if you haven't been paying attention) and Amazing Coffee in Madoc are teaming up to bring you a great Christmas shopping experience. Imagine being in a comfortable little coffee shop, enjoying your favourite hot beverage while the snow gently falls outside, and casually perusing custom hand crafted wood toys, home decor items and novelties and chatting with friends and thinking of the wonderful days to come.

Now, you might have to bring your own friends, and Maple Ridge Creations does not in any way guarantee the degree of wonderful which your coming days may be, but, along with Amazing Coffee, we feel we can pretty much assure you of the delightful hot beverages and hand crafted wood part anyway. Also, we make no promises about the accuracy of the weatherman (weatherpeople?) but then, neither does he.

Regardless, this coming Saturday, December 21st, 2013, Maple Ridge Creations will be set up for the entire day (or until they kick me out) at Amazing Coffee. I expect to have my entire in stock inventory with me, including a few things which have not been for sale anywhere else before. It will also be a good time to chat with me about custom projects for the new year (January is already starting to back up).

After Saturday, I will still take orders for in stock items until December 24th. They can be shipped or picked up (by appointment only please) as per usual.

The shop will be closed until the new year concerning production, but I will ship in stock products after Christmas. I don't guarantee how quickly they will get shipped but they will get shipped.

I expect to reopen by January 6th, so any custom order made by then will begin to work their way through then.

Since I am about as busy at present as I would want to be, I doubt I will be making any further blog posts until Christmas, so:

On behalf of myself and my family, we would like to wish all of our followers, customers and Facebook and google+ friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

30 Market Tomorrow

To my friends in Peterborough and area: I'm coming to see you tomorrow!

I will at the 30 Market sale tomorrow in the public library building on Aylmer St. from noon until 7pm.

If you 're unfamiliar with 30 Market, everything is under $30, which if you're still doing Christmas shopping, is probably very helpful to your bank account.

In addition to great prices, there will be more than 20 vendors in attendance, drawings for prizes and more. So whether you're into "buy local", making final purchases for Christmas or just looking for some great deals on quality products, stop on by and see what's going on.

Saturday I may go to the new flea market in Belleville (at Bridge and Sidney in the Giant Tiger plaza) or i may just stay at home. Haven't decided yet, but there's a good case to be made for both. Since the beginning of June I've been spending the whole week making things in my shop and then selling them on Saturday. Since then I've had one (1) Saturday off. But the end (for this year) is nigh!

The reason being that I have only one show left after this weekend and it will be a great show. If you haven't read it elsewhere, I (Maple Ridge Creations) will be at Amazing Coffee in Madoc for the whole day on December 21st. Probably from open until close (or almost anyway). This is a special collaborative event: you can come to see me and try some truly great coffee (or tea or hot chocolate), or you can come in for the coffee and take a look through what I have left in stock.

In particular, this may be a good time for those of you who have ideas for projects for the new year to come in and talk those ideas out with me. I don't expect to be taking any pre-Christmas special orders (who knows...someone may get lucky) but a sit down consultation over coffee is a great way to work out details on those ideas for custom stuff and see what I can (or can't) do for you.

I could go on about plans for the new year, but then what would I talk about next week?

Custom Signs

Alright, it's late and this is my third consecutive post. All because I love my customers and those who follow the blog. Regardless..I'm getting tired and have a few more things to cut for the sale tomorrow so...

MAny of you have no doubt seen the "MAN CAVE" sign below. I think I included it in a blog some time ago, and it's typically a regular feature on my table at sales. BUT...did you know I can make you almost any sign in the same basic style? (betcha didn't!)

Now there's an irony here...I've actually made 3 custom signs this week and delivered all of them today...without remembering to take pictures of any of them. I have solicited a few recipients to take pics and graciously email them to me and when they do, I'll update, but since this is a popular Christmas gift idea, I thought I'd put it up anyway. 

Now first off, the sign can say just about anything you want it to (I won't do anything vulgar, but I'm pretty easy otherwise). One of those done this week said "SERENITY NOW". Last names are particularly popular, but feel free to be imaginative. 

Second, it can be any colour (that I can find stain for) that you want, or it can be left natural for you to finish yourself (or leave as is). 

Finally, they can have accessories. The one below was done for a couple (their second such sign with me). Sadly, I didn't have an appropriate place to hang the sign for taking pics, so it's hanging on a tool chest here, which is in turn showing off one of the most common features of my shop: sawdust. However, you'll notice the house number hanging below it (slightly off centred intentionally) and the chains for hanging it (linked together to make transportation easier. 

Since a common question is "How much?"

Basic custom signs start at $30. Larger signs may cost more. Stain, finishes, and accessories are all extras. 

If you're looking for something different, feel free to contact me with your idea and let me make it a reality. 

That's it for me for now. Good night, have a great weekend, hope to see you at the sale and if you have a custom order for Christmas, please get it in this week. Check out older posts for more ideas. 

Cooper Craft sale this weekend!

Alright, so now that I've finally gotten some new products up, here's where to find me this weekend.

 Cat and mouse standup figures

I like two day craft sales. I think it's because I get one day where I get to just show up and wait for people to come and see me. No packing the van, no setting up, just a bit of rearrangement of the table (if necessary) and on to business. At the same time, it's a nice opportunity to get to know some of the other vendors that you're sharing space with.

Regardless of my sentimentality, I will be at the Cooper Craft sale this weekend, both Saturday (today) and Sunday, from 10am to 4pm both days.

Horse and buggy welcome sign

For those not familiar with Cooper, it's a pretty small place. Nestled away about 10 minutes North of Madoc on Cooper Road, it's just a little hamlet (I've no idea how many people claim to live there).

The sale will be at the old schoolhouse. If you're not sure where that is, just follow the signs.

"Faith", "Hope", and "Love", ask about custom names and words

To get to Cooper from Hwy 7, turn North on Cooper Road (one road East of Hwy 62, the same road that the Madoc Fairgrounds, TimBEr Mart and Kingdom Hall are on) and drive North about 10 minutes. Follow the signs, I'm assured there will be many.
From Hwy 62, if you're feeling intrepid, you can also take Bannockburn road into Cooper, but beware, the road is unpaved (most of it anyway) and it's a bit less gentle than taking Hwy 7 and Cooper Road. If you're not a local, you should probably just take the first set of directions.

Triceratops rocking toy

I've heard only good reviews about this sale: excellent vendors, good turnout and even great food. There will be food served on the premises for those interested. Proceeds go to the Women's Institute and all the good casuses they support.

New Clocks

Well, it's definitely that time of year again, so I thought I would post some of the newer clocks to come out of the shop for your consideration. (see what I did there: "time", "clocks"? Guess I should probably stick to woodworking then...). 

I like doing clocks. They are a wonderful blend of form and function, art and practicality. You can display so much of your interests, hobbies, personality or favourite TV show or hockey team and pass it all off with the redeeming notion of keeping track of time. 

These are the latest out of the shop, but I hope to have some more coming next week as well (time permitting). 

Basic Guitar Clock $35 each (colour can be customized)

The guitar clock is made from 1/4" baltic birch ply and stained Minwax Early American with a light Varathane finish. I expect a lot more of these to be on their way in the future, probably not only in different colours, but possibly in different styles of guitar as well. Maybe even different instruments ( I know a French horn player who I just know wants a clock with her instrument of choice).

Walnut Flair Clock $55

The "Flair" clock I've done before, but not quite like this. The previous model was stained pine and 3/4" throughout, but this one is 100% walnut, 3/4" backer and 1/4" base. A light oil finish brings out teh colour and leaves the wood looking natural.

Snowflake Clock $40

The snowflake clock is another redo, but this time I've left the pine all natural. There was some beautiful grain colouration in this piece that made it feel like a very wintry clock, so I left it alone and just gave it a light shellac finish.

Mother and Child Clock $55

Unfortunately there's a bit of glare off the clock in this one. The back is solid 3/4" cherry while the front picture is 1/4" birch ply. The clock is a mini in this one, just a little 1 7/8" insert. Very classy piece in my estimation and a great gift for any mother.

Any of the above can be made with different colour schemes or wood species. Custom ideas are always welcome and appreciated.

I would like to give credit where credit is due: The above designs are all used with permission from Steve Good of scrollsawworkshop.com. Steve does a lot of excellent work and spends a lot of time on new designs so that guys like me can spend a bit less time playing with computers and drawing and a lot more time in the shop. Thanks Steve.

To make up for lost time this week, another post should be following after this one in just a few minutes.