Whittlin' Dixie

“Study to be quiet…do your own business…work with your own hands.” ~St. Paul

In recent days, I have been scouring classified ads and running all over South Arkansas looking for used woodworking tools. It’s an itch that only sawdust has been able to mollify. I blame Joe.

Joe, a friend from church, is a brilliant guy and master craftsman. A couple of years ago I asked him if he would be interested in building something for me. He told me that he would be happy to, but would prefer it if I came over and helped. “You might learn something,” he said. I did.

I learned woodworking is not only hard work, it’s also a heck of a lot of fun. And it can also be a lucrative business too if a man has a will to work and hone his craft.

My dream for some years has been to make a living as a writer and author. Still is. But the bill collectors don’t wait for the next book or essay to go to press. So I have decided to turn this woodworking hobby into a side business. Start small (working from a modest woodshop at home), make quality products, and hopefully earn enough extra folding money to keep the wolves at bay. I can think of few ways I’d rather divide my time than between days in the shop and evenings at the writing desk. 

In addition to making custom furniture and cabinets for local customers, I plan to open an online shop so that I can ship smaller items (wall art, stools, kitchen utensils and décor, weapons concealment shelving, etc.) throughout the Lower 48. 

I would like to ask you to pray that this would be a fruitful endeavor. My goal is to follow St. Paul’s advice, “Do your own business…work with your own hands.”

In order to get started, I need to finish transforming my shed into a workshop. Evict the snakes. Install some flooring. Hang some lights. Thankfully, I have amassed most of the necessary tools and equipment to begin in earnest. But this also means that I have depleted my savings. 

So, if you would be interested in helping cross this final hurdle, I could certainly use it. If you do, I will match the dollar amount with a corresponding discount on your first order. (For instance, $25 dollars = 25% off orders of $100 or less, $50 dollars = 50% off, and so on. Larger custom items would receive the same discount, minus cost of materials.)

I will make a catalog available online once the shop is in working order and ready to begin turning out projects. Your discounts will not expire, so you could order sooner or later as you are so inclined.

Realistically speaking, I won’t be able to accomplish this anytime in the near future without your support. But with your help, I should be able to get up and running within a matter of weeks.

If you would like to contribute to the shop build fund, feel free to do so directly here. Or if you prefer some other means, don’t hesitate to contact me here.

Thank you guys for helping me turn dreams into reality.