Why I Build What I Build
Some of my earliest memories of woodworking aren’t of tools or shops, but of things my grandfather made.
He built toy boxes for my sisters and me when we were kids, and for other people in his life too. I remember watching him work, admiring what he could create with his hands, and being fascinated by the idea that someone could take raw materials and turn them into something meaningful. Those pieces weren’t flashy, but they were solid, intentional, and made to last. Long before I ever picked up a tool myself, that stuck with me.
My own journey into woodworking grew out of that admiration. Early on, some of my first larger projects were deeply personal, a challenge coin display case for my uncle, a headboard for a close friend. Those pieces weren’t about perfection. They were about care, purpose, and building something for someone specific. That’s where the hook really set.
I’ve always been drawn to real wood over cheap plastic or particle board. There’s something grounding about knowing a piece was shaped by someone’s time and attention instead of stamped out by a machine. No two boards are ever the same. Even pieces cut from the same tree can look completely different. The grain, the color, the movement, it’s all unique. I love discovering beauty in wood that you’d never expect just by looking at a standing tree.
What excites me most about woodworking is longevity. I want to build things that don’t just survive a few years, but live on for generations. Pieces that get used, not just admired. Beautiful, yes, but also functional. I don’t want my work to sit on a shelf like a museum piece. I want it to be part of everyday life. Gatherings, meals, conversations, quiet moments at home.
About a year ago, woodworking started to shift from something I loved doing into something I wanted to seriously pursue. I was burned out from real estate and tired of dealing with work that didn’t always feel meaningful. I still work in real estate, but woodworking became the place where I felt grounded again. Up to that point, I’d mostly built for family and friends, and the reactions I got made me wonder if this could be more than a hobby.
In the fall of 2025, I tested the waters by doing several shows. The response was better than I expected. In January of this year, I officially formed Acacia Wood Works as an LLC, and I’ve been building momentum ever since.
When I do shows, I usually bring one or two larger pieces, often coffee tables, to show what I’m capable of on that scale. Alongside those, I offer smaller handcrafted items like charcuterie boards, cutting boards, coasters, bottle openers, home decor, and what I call my “gathering boards”, oversized serving boards meant to bring people together around food and conversation. I love the balance of offering heirloom-style furniture while also creating smaller pieces that make meaningful, handcrafted gifts.
Something people don’t always realize is how much time and thought goes into handmade work, even into smaller, repeatable items. Wood is unpredictable. Each step requires attention, adjustment, and care to make sure the final piece is the best it can be. It’s easy to see a small object and a price tag without understanding the hours, decisions, and love that went into it. Every piece represents problem-solving, patience, and respect for the material.
At the heart of all of this is a deep appreciation for what wood is and where it comes from. As a Christian, I see woodworking as working with a resource God created, and there’s something humbling and rewarding about revealing the beauty already present in it.
My work is for people who value craftsmanship, time, and intention. For those who are tired of disposable, mass-produced things and want something made with care. When someone buys a piece from me, I want them to feel excited, confident in its quality, and hopeful that it’s something that might one day be passed down.
This blog will be a place where I share more about the process, the stories behind certain pieces, lessons learned along the way, and what goes into creating work meant to last. If you’re someone who appreciates well-made things and the stories behind them, I’m glad you’re here.
