They say nothing can prepare you for the role of a parent…especially a parent during an unexpected pandemic lockdown with a teenager. That’s what Shane Bergman, his wife Kandis and their daughter Layla (along with millions of other parents) experienced last March.

“They shut down the schools and we were all at home. But then Layla finished all her schoolwork within a few weeks so she had nothing to do,” Shane says.

They could have panicked and signed their kids up for a million additional online courses, but that’s not what happened with the Bergmans.

Necessity is the mother of invention…especially during lockdown

Since his daughter completed the school year early, Shane had to quickly think of a project to keep her occupied that would also help bring some normalcy and fun into their lives. He kept in mind that Layla wants to be an engineer.

“My wife Kandis had always wanted a patio set, so I asked her if she wanted us to build one. So we all got in on it together. I got all the wood, Layla helped with the measurements, joining and puttying, and Kandis painted it. So we made a little assembly line.” 

They all enjoyed the work, and Shane felt good about using lumber produced in east Texas — especially since part of his job is to sell New England Forestry timber to lumber mills in that area. 

After they completed the set, Kandis posted a picture on Facebook. Little did she know that photo would launch their pandemic family woodworking business.

“She got so many likes from the photo that she asked if anyone would be interested in buying one…we got 4 order requests within the first 24 hours.”

Lack of Experience Didn’t Stop The Bergmans from Building and Selling Their Furniture

Shane and his family which, up until lockdown, had very little experience building, went into business head first.

“My Dad was a welder and then he went back to school to be an Elementary ed teacher, so he had a lot of blueprint skills and I’d help him on projects growing up,” Shane says. “But it’s different when you’re actually there measuring and making the cuts. The year before, Layla and I built a deer stand and put a tin roof on it and stained it. That was our first go and we haven’t looked back.”

YouTube videos, some refresher geometry tutorials and hands-on work provided the bulk of the Bergman family woodworking education. 

“My daughter wants to be an engineer so she’d do all the measurements with me and she kept a little cheat sheet up in the garage. The hardest things for me were the angles, because I want to know exactly how you calculate that, so I refreshed my geometry and everything to get that right.”

The orders poured in throughout lockdown, which made for many busy nights in the garage.

“We started in March and did that for literally a month straight after work Monday through Friday. It was to the point where my wrists and fingers were killing me! But it was fun and we’ve had a few people reach out ever since. If I would have known what I know now about the rush on wood, I would have bought a big flat of 2X4s in the beginning from our local sawmills. But I’d have to say it was fun just hanging out and listening to music with Kandis and Layla.”

How did he keep his daughter engaged with the hard work and long nights?

“I’ll be honest with you, she was always saying she needed to make money so I told her I’d pay her a commission and she went for it and learned some responsibility too.”

His Favorite Woodworking Piece To Date

Although patio sets were their most popular product, Shane’s favorite piece he’s built is this two-seater burnt bench pictured below.

Here’s how he achieved the finish using fire:

“When you use southern yellow pine, you’ve got naturally lighter and darker colors in the wood grain. So, you take a little blue propane torch, light it and keep it 3-4 inches away from the wood and it just accents it like a zebra print. Then we add a clear coat.” 

The technique takes patience, but it’s not hard to learn.

“Just don’t do what one of my buddies did. He used lighter fluid to speed up the process. It worked, but I wouldn’t recommend it! I spent about an hour and a half on just that bench to get it right, and once you see the end result it’s pretty cool. That board had really good characteristics.” 

He learned the technique on YouTube.

Shane’s Advice For Woodworker Newbies: Make The Time and Just Do It

Obviously Shane doesn’t shy away from learning something new on the fly. But his perspective serves as good advice for aspiring woodworkers who are on the fence about how and when to get started:

“I just do it. I’m one of those people who believes you can’t get time back, and some things you’ve got to say no to and some things you say yes to.

“Anything you want to do now, whether it’s mechanics, fishing or anything, you can find a way to kind of get your feet wet and learn. After you research it you’ll find it’s not that hard. I’d just type in ‘wooden patio sofa’ and see what videos came up. For woodworking though, Home Depot has a lot of stuff online and they’ll give you a whole list of exactly what you need, the lengths, etc. The cuts are the most intimidating, especially if you’re going to cut on an angle. Also, I wouldn’t jump in and buy the most expensive tools to start with. I’d go to Harbour Freight to start out with a cheaper tool, and that way you can find out if you like it before spending more.”

As we’ve all learned over the last year and half, life can throw us some unpredictable curve balls. And something like a pandemic lockdown can create serious challenges for families. Yet, the Bergmans’ story serves as a reminder that life is truly what we make of it. 

In their case, a lockdown brought them closer together as a family, taught Layla some basics about managing money and starting a business and provided the opportunity for them to forge a new hobby in woodworking. Not a bad way to spend a few months stuck at home.

Congrats to Shane and his family on their pandemic side-hustle and beautiful patio sets!

The post The Woodworkers of New England Forestry: Shane Bergman appeared first on New England Forestry Stories.

Human beings have used hand tools to transform wood into homes, furniture and survival tools for centuries. However, the invention of electricity in the 1800s quickly propelled powertools to the frontlines of the industrial, professional and hobbyist trades of woodworking. Yes, most builders and artisans still use some hand tools, but few would be willing to give up the convenience and thrill associated with modern power tools.

Yet, as society has sped forward—adopting anything and everything to make life more convenient, efficient and streamlined—there have remained a minority dedicated to the “old school” way of hand-crafting wood. Today, in the fast-paced culture of 21st century North America, unplugged woodworking is experiencing a serious comeback.

One of the leaders in this movement is a former musician-turned-woodworking mentor and best-selling author: Tom Fidgen. He runs “The Unplugged Woodshop,” a 100% handtools-based woodworking school in the heart of downtown Toronto

Tom has written two books and teaches classes online and abroad (and has some big fans here at New England Forestry!). We caught up with Tom to learn more about his journey to going unplugged and the growing trend of hand tool-based woodworking.

How Tom Went From Record Deals To Woodworking Unplugged

Most modern woodworkers use a combination of power and hand tools, with more emphasis on the power tools. This once was the case for Tom, who originally learned how to build from his father.

“I started woodworking with my dad at a very young age. He was a firefighter and did carpentry jobs in his spare time. After high school I became a professional musician, signed a record deal and did a lot of touring. Whenever I wasn’t playing music or on the road, I was always building or making something.”

Tom put his woodworking skills to work in set design, carpentry shops and building wooden boats.

As a guitarist and singer, he was always hyper-aware of the risks of using power tools for the sake of his hands and hearing. But it wasn’t until he moved from the Canadian East Coast to Toronto that he gave up power tools for good.

“Not knowing what kind of shop space I’d be able to afford in the city, I decided to leave all of my power tools behind and see if I could make a go at making furniture with only hand tools. That was around 2007 and I haven’t looked back since. Hand tools made sense and have been my norm for the past 14 years.”

Blogging Opened The Floodgates For The Unplugged Woodshop

Like many artists, Tom started a blog to document his process and display his hand-crafted furniture. Little did he know his blog would launch a new career path.

“Soon after I started the blog I was approached by Popular Woodworking to write a book on the subject, Made by Hand: Furniture Projects from the Unplugged Woodshop. Two years later, I signed another publishing deal with the Taunton Press. With the release of my second book, The Unplugged Woodshop: Handcrafted Projects for the Home and Workshop, I started to get invited to teach in woodworking schools all over the world.” 

Tom soon opened his own school, The Unplugged Woodshop in Toronto. There, he welcomes students from all over the world, in-person and online, to learn how to hand craft furniture and other works of art using hand tools exclusively.

The Unexpected Benefits of Going Unplugged

When asked what types of people his classes attract, Tom replied: “I get a lot of engineering students, architects and artists in my classes. But that said, I get men and women, young and old, amateur and professionals. I think we as humans enjoy the creative process and making things with our hands is critical in our behaviour.”

Students sign up for Tom’s classes to gain experience practicing his unique form of hands-on instruction. But for many, the classes and the process become about much more than just the woodworking:

“I think so many people sit in front of a screen day-in and day-out with nothing to physically show at the end of their days. Woodworking, especially using only hand tools, fills the gap.”

Slowing down and working with hand tools also gives students the added benefits of stress relief, increased focus, and a feeling of accomplishment.

“Learning how to slow down and make things by hand is extremely important and healthy in our fast-paced society.”

For Tom, what he loves most is the process and the people: “I love the challenge. Both in teaching as well as in my own making. I also love meeting people and watching them grow and get excited about learning a new skill. It never gets old.”

Tom’s Favorite Wood, Favorite New Project and Sources of Inspiration

When asked about his favorite wood to work with, he said, “Hmmmm…that’s a tough one….probably maple if I had to pick just one.” A fitting tribute to his home country.

His favorite new project blends his two passions for music and woodworking: building guitars.

“After playing since I was a kid, and being so involved in woodworking, I knew the two mediums would someday meet. Two winters ago I finally decided it was a good time to try building instruments and I absolutely love it. Mixing the two things I like most, music and wood.”

After talking with Tom and spending time on his website and blog, it’s hard to imagine he ever lacks inspiration. However, every artist needs his muse.

“As far as cabinetmaking, I love the work and philosophy of James Krenov,” Tom says. “But as far as inspiration, that oftentimes comes from other non-woodworking places. A painting, a fabric or texture, a photograph or a good design. Inspiration is everywhere, we just have to allow ourselves the time to find it.”

Tom’s Advice For Aspiring Unplugged Woodworkers Is To Literally Unplug

“Just start. Step away from the computer and go and make something. I have a membership site on my website where people can join for $20 a month and see what I do day-in and day-out. I just posted episode 890, so there’s literally years of content with lots and lots of wood working projects. In June I’ll be teaching in Sewanee, Tennessee, at Shakerag Workshops. And of course I’m always at my shop here in Toronto.” To learn more about Tom and the Unplugged Woodshop, including membership and upcoming events, check out The Unplugged Woodshop website and follow him on YouTube and Instagram @theunpluggedwoodshop.

The post Returning To Woodworking’s Roots: An Interview With The Unplugged Woodshop’s Tom Fidgen appeared first on New England Forestry Stories.

The story behind the design of Laura Peacock’s rustic DIY wooden cooler pays homage to the man who taught her not only about woodworking, but also about what it means to make the most of what you have and to be a blessing to others.

Like father like daughter, in more ways than one!

Laura learned the basics of woodworking from her father while growing up in small town Florida. His woodworking skills were born of necessity and honed for pleasure as a young man. He was a Vietnam veteran who did most of his woodworking outdoors or in his shop, which is what drew her to the craft.  “My brother and I gravitated towards whatever Dad was doing because it was outside and we were outside most of the time. So we were naturally drawn to it.”

“My dad was one of nine kids, so they didn’t pay people to do things they could do themselves. My dad picked up woodworking to help out around the house. He wasn’t great at it for a long time, but he crafted his skills and eventually got good at doing a lot of different things.”

“We mostly learned from watching him. Our family was really close and we did everything together. We wanted to work together, whether it was canning season, building a deck, adding a room, or building a birdhouse. Except there was a line drawn between my mom and dad, dad didn’t cross to mom’s quilting and she didn’t cross to his woodworking territory!”

Ironically, Laura’s father worked for New England Forestry in the Fernandina paper mill (New England Forestry owned the mill until 2014, when New England Forestry Advanced Materials spun off into its own company). “It’s funny to think that my Dad retired from New England Forestry, now I work for New England Forestry and we both share that love of woodworking.” Like father, like daughter, in more ways than one.

Though Laura’s father passed away from lung cancer about 7 years ago, her family still continues their traditions of helping one another and others. Whether it’s helping each other with woodworking projects, volunteering at church, or helping a disabled neighbor mow his ditch, Laura’s father instilled a strong sense of generosity, dependability and community in his children.

The story behind the cooler: inspired by pallets, made from fencing panels

Laura’s cooler, a finalist in the New England Forestry employee DIY Contest, was inspired by her friends in Nashville. They asked her to help them build one out of pallets.

“I saw the picture and was like, heck yes!”

But Laura had other plans in terms of design and execution.

“My Dad was actually doing pallet crafts long before it was a thing. When I got married, he built me what seems like an 800 pound china cabinet out of pallet boards. So, I knew what a chore they can be to take apart.”

Keen on avoiding the chore of pallet dismantling during her next visit to Tennessee, and eager to surprise her friends with a premade gift, Laura figured out another way to build the cooler.

“I really like taking a design and figuring out how to put my own spin on it. I had just repaired my privacy fence and I had fence panels. So I said, forget about pallets, I’ll just use these. It worked out perfectly!”

For the cooler itself, Laura bought a basic red chest cooler and built a rolling rustic cabinet around it. She removed the top from the cooler and built a wooden lid to fit. Then she added a spout on the side for drainage using basic plumbing hardware (a pipe and a spigot).

“So, I had the whole thing made, but led them on to believe we’d go find some pallets and build it. They were so surprised! I’m like that. If you give me an idea I’m probably going to try it out.”

In addition to its good looks, the cooler is also super functional, as it can be rolled around to different parts of the yard, to block parties, etc. She even included a small chalkboard sign on the cooler that can be customized for special occasions.

“I’ve built about 5 of them now and have yet to finish my own! But that always seems to happen because I love giving my stuff away.”

Woodworking as a hobby and a side hustle

Laura not only builds and designs beautiful coolers and furniture, she’s also created a side-job making door hangers out of plywood (pictured below).

“So woodworking has also become a great way to make some extra money, but I mostly just enjoy doing it. Especially these days when people are starting to appreciate handmade items more. That’s another thing, I feel like my Dad and I started doing these things (like working with pallets, making custom door hangers, etc.) before they became trends.”

Thanks to the skills she learned from her father, Laura was also able to do most of the renovation work on what she lovingly refers to as her “new-old-home,” including installing crown molding and replacing sheetrock. A big sell-point of the home was the 3-car garage, which meant she now has more than enough room for a woodshop and storage.

As a hobby, Laura derives great pleasure from transforming raw materials into the finished product. But ironically, she does not consider herself a “creative person.”

“I never felt like I was a really creative person. But I don’t have to be creative, I just have to be a copycat! I have the tools and I have an ability to take something that’s not and turn it into something that is, and it makes me feel good.

“The ties to my family history, and just seeing people’s faces when they unwrap a camper door hanger to hang on their camper door…I just love to make other people happy.”

Bridging the gender gap in woodworking: advice for women who like power tools

For whatever reason, woodworking has been a predominantly male pastime. Yet women are perfectly capable of mastering the art and skill. Here’s Laura’s take on the gender gap and how women can get past it and join the party:

“I’m in my mid-40s, and for people like me and older, there’s a line that’s been drawn about what men do and what women do. As women in general, and it’s easier for us to limit ourselves based on those old stereotypes. But know that it’s okay to break the mold a little bit. Because the thing is, if you want to learn something these days you can learn how to do it. There are thousands of resources out of there.”

“As my mom would always say when I’d ask her if I could do this or that, ‘Why not?!’ Give it a shot. The worst that can happen is you’re out a bit of money for materials.”

“I used to teach, and I’d tell my students that if they could read they can do anything. You don’t even have to be able to read these days. Just ask Alexa, Siri, or tell your TV remote what you want to see. Knowledge is power, learn all you can and become all you can. There are no limits!”

You can read more of our DIY stories featuring talented woodworkers here.

The post The Woodworkers of New England Forestry: Laura Peacock appeared first on New England Forestry Stories.