The Buzzwood Workshop Journal — July 2026

With the start of a new farmers market season, Buzzwood Creations is entering an exciting new chapter. Over the past several months, I have been hard at work building out my new workshop, growing my skills, and continuing to develop the kind of thoughtful, long-lasting pieces I want to be known for.

The market season is already off to a great start. I have enjoyed meeting so many new people, sharing my work, and hearing about the custom projects they have in mind. The best part has not just been the sales - it has been the conversations. I left the first markets of the season more excited than ever about where Buzzwood Creations is headed.

I am also excited to share that I recently added a laser engraver to the shop. This gives me the ability to personalize gifts live at select markets, helping turn a useful handmade item into something even more meaningful. It takes extra setup, so I will not bring it to every market - especially when weather is uncertain - but I will announce laser-engraving dates on Facebook. Of course, you are always welcome to reach out with a custom project idea.

Over the years, I have made and gifted several large cutting boards to my parents. They are beautiful pieces, but I noticed that my mom still reached for the same small plastic board whenever she only needed to chop a few tomatoes or vegetables. The problem was not that she did not like the larger boards - they were simply not the most convenient option for everyday meals.

That observation led to a simple question: what would make a cutting board easy enough to use every day? I went back to the shop and designed a smaller utility board with a handle that makes it easy to grab, carry, and store. I also added a hanging hole for anyone who wants it close at hand. My parents loved the result, so I ended up making a bunch more to sell!

When someone asks me to build a dining table, they are usually thinking about what it will look like. I am thinking about what it will look like twenty years from now.

As a mechanical engineer by day and a woodworker by night, I have developed a habit of asking questions that are easy to overlook: How will this tabletop move as the seasons change? Will this base stay rigid after years of family dinners? How can this piece remain as solid and useful decades from now as it is on the day it is delivered?

Wood is a remarkable material because it continues to respond to its environment long after the tree is harvested. It expands and contracts with changes in humidity throughout the year. A well-built table does not fight that movement - it works with it. From grain direction to joinery, hardware, and finish, the design details are chosen with long-term performance in mind.

That is why I do not think of my work as simply building furniture. I think of it as engineering furniture that happens to be beautiful. My goal is to create pieces that become part of a family's story for generations, not just until the next trend comes along.

Come talk with me at farmers markets!

· Sunday July 5th, Sturbridge town common, 9AM-1pm
· Sunday July 19th, Sturbridge town common, 9AM-1pm

Laser engraving will be available at select markets. Watch Facebook for confirmed dates.

COMING SOON - A new Website! I will be launching a new website shortly that will have all my latest and greatest projects, ideas and a custom dining table configurator, to help you design your dream table! Stay tuned for when that goes live!

Current Custom table lead time is only 3 weeks!

Every custom table begins with a conversation. Last fall, the Perkins family wanted a dining table where birthdays, holidays, and Sunday dinners could be shared for years to come. Together, we created a solid maple table with a live-edge top and a dark stained base that fit their home and their style.

To make the piece even more personal, I engraved the family's name on the matching bench. The result was more than a dinner table. It became a one-of-a-kind place for the people they love to gather, celebrate, and make memories together. I was grateful for the opportunity to build something with that kind of meaning.

Whether you are thinking about a custom dining table, a personalized engraved gift, business awards, or another idea you have not been able to find in a store, I would love to hear what you have in mind. Every project begins with a conversation.

Reply to this email, send Buzzwood Creations a message on Facebook, or visit buzzwoodcreations.com to start the conversation. I would be excited to help bring your idea to life.

Next month, I am looking forward to continuing the market season, adding more laser-engraving options, and - hopefully - launching the new Buzzwood Creations website. I cannot wait to share the progress with you.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my ideas, projects, and anyone that has read this far, it means everything to me!