Small Town, Big Dreams: My Journey with Boardman Co Woodworks
So, let me tell you about my little corner of the world—Boardman Co Woodworks LLC. It sounds fancy, right? But believe me, it’s just my garage adorned with sawdust, the lingering smell of fresh pine, and an old radio that blares classic rock while I’m out here in my little woodshop. I started this modest venture not with grand plans, but out of sheer love for crafting things with my own two hands.
I’ve always been that kid—well, not a kid anymore, but you get the point—who’d rather build a treehouse than play video games. All those afternoons spent transforming rough-cut lumber into something I could jump off (without breaking my neck, I hoped) instilled a passion in me. Fast forward to today, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes, learned a ton, and here I am talking to you, friend, with a warm cup of coffee in hand and sawdust under my fingernails.
Building My First Project
Now, I remember the first project I took on as an official builder. It was supposed to be a simple coffee table. Just a straightforward box of wood, right? Nah, I made it out to be a monster. I started with some lovely oak I found at my local hardware store. I’d done my research—watched a few videos, felt confident—yet the moment I picked up my miter saw, I felt this wave of dread wash over me.
You’d think cutting wood would be as easy as slicing butter, but I almost gave up after just that first cut. I mean, there’s nothing like the sound of that saw whirring and the sharp scent of sawdust in the air to get the adrenaline going. I had lined up that beautiful piece of oak so perfectly, and then… well, it splintered. Oh boy, did I almost throw in the towel.
The Lesson of Patience
I let that frustration stew for a couple of days. The wood sat there, forlorn and lonely, while I kicked the idea of ever making that coffee table to the curb. But, you know, I eventually came back. I realized that I was expecting it to be perfect right out of the gate. So, I took a deep breath, and promised myself to slow down a bit.
It turns out finding the right tools made the biggest difference. I grabbed a good quality Ryobi circular saw and—oh man—like magic, it sliced through that oak as if it were just a piece of cardboard. I learned to respect the wood, to take my time, and to enjoy the process. You know, the smell of the fresh cuts was oddly calming after that initial chaos.
Connecting with the Community
As I got into it more, I also started connecting with other folks in town. We’d exchange tips over coffee—just chilling at the local diner. Everyone’s got a story, and I picked up some gems along the way. One guy, let’s call him Jim, told me about his homemade table saw using a mismatched collection of old parts. I couldn’t believe it until I saw it myself; it was like something from a mad inventor’s workshop! But what stood out to me was how much pride he took in that DIY arrangement.
I decided I wanted that same pride when I started building furniture for others. As I began to take commissions, I had to learn the hard way how to deal with clients. Let me tell you, communicating wasn’t my strong suit, and there were a few awkward moments. Like that time I misunderstood a request—thought I was making this beautiful custom bookshelf, but they needed a simple set of shelves for their garage. Did I sweat it out? Oh, you bet I did! But I learned to listen more, to ask questions. It honestly helped me grow as a craftsman, even if my heart sank every time I almost handed over a giant armoire when a simple shelf was all they wanted.
Finding Joy in Every Grain
With each project, I also found my style. I started mixing woods—maple, cherry, walnut. The colors—a deep amber, that lovely swirl of a cherry grain—I can still picture it vividly. I sometimes stand there, just inhaling the scent of freshly sanded wood and feeling totally at peace. It feels silly, but I swear it’s meditative.
I did this coffee table project a while back with some reclaimed wood, and, once it was done, I almost didn’t want to sell it. You know that moment? When you finish something and just stand there taking it all in? It’s magical.
Then came that “Aha!” moment when I realized this isn’t just about building furniture—it’s about creating memories. The people who sat around that table, sharing coffee and laughter—that makes it worth it. The connections I’ve built, the smiles when someone sees their dream furniture come to life—it’s priceless. I remember delivering one project and watching a family gather around, pointing and smiling. At that moment, I felt like a little piece of my heart was tucked into that table.
The Takeaway
So, if you’re thinking about diving into woodworking, or really anything that gets your creative juices flowing—just go for it! Don’t worry about being perfect. Those knots in the wood, the splinters, the wrong cuts—they’re all part of the adventure. Trust me, you’ll learn more from those mistakes than any tutorial out there.
And hey, there’s something beautiful about imperfection. It’s where the magic happens, and where every piece tells a story. So grab that saw, carve out some time, and remember, sometimes the best creations come from a place of patience and love, even if they do start in a pile of sawdust.
