January 2024!

What’s happening?

This is generally a quiet time – just after Christmas, all market are done, and it is quiet. Or is it?

Not for CC Creative – this is my time to get ready for the year ahead. Getting ready for the upcoming year includes new markets, new projects, new customers. -New Year!

This is traditionally when I tear down my CNC machines for maintenance. Why? So that I have as trouble free of a year as possible. I rely on 2 CNC units, both equipped with router and Laser in order to help me provide the products and quality that my customers deserve. These two are the hardest workers in the shop. Aside from bits wearing out, which are replaceable, they are subject to endless hours of continual use. While they are extremely reliable and very accurate, that doesn’t happen by accident. They have bearings that can wear, motors that weaken, and occasionally due to unforeseen circumstances they can jam or go out of alignment.

So each January, I take them apart, inspect all the bearings and wearable parts, and replace whatever is questionable or close to wearing out.

This year is no different , except this year, I have upgraded certain components to help the machines run at their best possible efficiency. I also replace all the sealed bearings, and inspect and or refresh any non sealed. I believe it is best for me to know my machines completely – that way if something does go wrong or need immediate attention, I am able to repair as needed.

Lasers and drives all get recalibrated to keep to my own high standards for quality and accuracy.

In addition to the CNC units, all other units – saws, planers, sanders, etc. do get a thorough cleaning, adjustment, and lube. Planners and jointers get blades replaced and sharpened, saws get checked for alignment, as well as thoroughly clean and adjustment. Also a good time for adding any equipment needed, or eliminate non used equipment.

NEW ITEMS/ DEVELOPMENT

Throughout the year, customers will ask for different items. Some I accommodate during the year, others I will park until I have time to develop. This is the time to sit down and design/develop these into functional items for the year. This year, that means some more of our great solid hardwood games, as well as some musical ideas that have been brewing for a while.

– more to come in future newsletters.

AND TIME FOR ME

A few projects we wanted done around home – some tables etc. they say the mechanics car is the last thing he will work on. Sometimes that is true for woodworkers as well. That table or desk we wanted waits till last – well now is the time.

Also Jan – March is my own time to build one more guitar for my personal collection. Again – more to come on that.

Hoping to further develop with YouTube videos, highlighting the development of some of these. Stay tuned for some learning videos and getting to know more about what I do and how I do it.

This will be another year of growth for CC Creative Wood

I look forward to sharing with all of you.

Stay Safe, stay warm, and please Stay Tuned.

~ Cam ~

More about Customers, and a new venture!

Hi again. Well, last blog I mentioned that I may be talking about something a little different, and I will. But first I wanted share another awesome customer story.

About a week ago, i noticed someone asking online if they knew anybody who could build them a folding wine picnic table. I replied stating that I could likely help them out. They had several other recommendations for different companies. Bit this customer responded and asked if I could do this. Now, to be clear, I have built lots of items in my life, including side tables, coffee tables, light bars, cabinets, etc. BUT – I have NEVER built a folding wine picnic table. Before last weekend, I hadn’t even heard of them! But it looked interesting and like a challenge, which as you get to know me, you will know that I am a “challenge accepted” person.

We exchanged messages and pics back and forth, discussed different wood options, etc. I sent pics of some of my work, and they really liked the look of the Arrariba that I had. Turns out my supplier didn’t have any, but I had just enough to complete this project. And, as you will see it has amazing grain and pattern.

So, we agreed on a price for the Arrariba, finish, etc. “Oh and you will make sure there are pins to hold the table open and closed?” Didn’t even think about that, but – “challenge accepted”. Agreed on a timeline – 2 weeks to completion. Deposit was sent, and I set out to design and build this. In my research, most of these tables are 12” diameter. But they wanted 18” and we agreed to that. Had to reverse the folding direction – no big deal. But – how was I going to implement this folding mechanism? Well setting up the holes for this was the easy part – cut the leg and brackets on the CNC and everything will line up. But I wanted a pin to hold it, that didn’t look industrial. So I decided to inset a rare earth magnet into a pocket on the leg. I then turned 2 pins on my lathe and inset the opposing rare earth magnet in the ends of each of these. Works like a charm. Made 2 just in case the customer loses one. One is Maple, the other is Walnut. All in all this customer is getting my first, but probably not my last, folding wine picnic table. Sent her a picture today of the table and her comment was “ stunning”! Just what I wanted to hear. Another very happy customer. And delivering a week early! A few days ago, same customer sent a pic of a Shark tree ornament and asked if I could make one. Challenge accepted! And succeeded. The pic I was sent was off a laser cut metal ornament, mine iOS created out of 4mm Maple.

I absolutely love making customers visions come to life, and I feel that I truly overdelivered on this one!

When I quoted on this project, I recommended an oil and wax finish. It has become my go to. I also included a 2 ounce container of wax for touch ups and refinishing.

That has been my latest project – designing and making my own oils and waxes. The product I was buying was getting costly as it is a food safe item. So I did my research, and formulated an oil and wax finish. Not going to give away all that I do, but will tell you that it is 100% food safe. Some ingredients include Mineral Oil, Coconut oil, Vitamin E, as well as Beeswax. Unfortunately for my wife, I am using up some of the beeswax she got four her pursuit into candle making. We purchased 5 pounds of raw Beeswax. This is amazing to work with, as we had to first filter this and reform it into smaller blocks to use for various projects. In various formulations, I have perfected an oil for primary finish, as well as a beautiful wax for final finish. The look and feel of the finished product is, in my opinion, better than the purchased items. And the smell of this finish is extremely pleasant and sweet. And the finish is soft and smooth. Added bonus – softens your hands while you work! Next up for tonight’s project is to work on a higher solid, carnauba wax based product. Hoping that turns out as good, as carnauba is a harder finished that can be buffed to a higher shine.

I will be provided 1 ounce tins of wax with all of my charcuterie or cutting boards, as well as selling the tins to any customers that are interested.

That’s all for this week – stay safe, and enjoy your time with family and friends.

This is my second post thus far.

Today I want to discuss building custom items for my customers.

Since I have started this small venture called cc.creative.wood, I have been building various items. Some as stock items, some just because I want to try, and some items that are custom made. Sometimes these items cross over to making a variant of a stock item, and/or making it a custom item.

The most common item for this would be my cribbage boards. Started with my guitar shaped cribbage board. I had advertised this and then got inquiries – could I make this a 4 lane board? Yes I can, and did. Next inquiry – can I make a 29 cribbage board, but make it a 4 lane? Never thought about making a 29 board, so set out to draw that in CAD. Succeeded in that and added a fourth lane. Was a bit of work, and rework to make everything fit properly and keep a reasonable geometry. Once I got that design I showed it to the customer, and she wanted one! Awesome, someone liked my design. When she came to pick up the board,she mentioned that her mom played a version of crib called “golf” crib. Can I build that? And it would need to be four lane. I think so. If I could get a picture, I could make something work. She had sent a pic of a crib board with every 4th segment coloured green. So I started designing. I designed several variations of this. Tried to make it look like a links style course, but that turned out too big. Didn’t even show that to the customer. Kept working on various designs, working with the customer and receiving feedback. After several versions and adjustments, we were able to find a design that worked. When she came to pick up the board, she brought her Mom, who explained the golf crib game to me. Confusing to me, and I have to admit I have forgotten the rules. They both loved the boards I had built for them. Got a great review on my facebook page from the customer.

I had two guitar boards that I sold that got customizations. One customer was getting this as a wedding gift for some friends that got married during the Pandemic. Asked if I could engrave the couples name and their wedding date on the board. Not a problem. Second Guitar board, I had the customer ask if I could make his board out of Mahogany, and engrave his and his wife’s name on them, and paint the engrave black. Haven’t done that before, but just happened to have recently ordered the masking material required for this. That one turned out great, and another happy customer!

Did a night market in Inglewood in September. Had one of the food vendors come over from his truck and ask about my acoustic enhancers. Wanted to see if his phone would fit. It did not as his phone was larger. I took measurements of his phone and told him I would make this for him during the week and deliver it to him the following week. We talked about a different style stand for the enhancer to allow for the extra weight. After we agreed on the enhancer and stand, he came back to ask if I could add his name engrave to the front. This was a first for the enhancer for me. But I did get the product done and delivered as promised. Another happy customer.

While getting a massage and talking with my therapist, she was looking for a gift for her brother, and guess what? They all love playing crib!! I can help. I happen to have a board in stock, and there is room on the board to customize the front with her brothers name. Got that done in time for the birthday, and was sent a message later stating that it was a huge hit.

From the Night market as well – received an email from a customer who had purchased a Yin Yang set. They looked at my cribbage boards, and they have a dear friend that they wanted to surprise with a birthday gift. A cribbage board with a Tarot card theme. They sent over samples of the Tarot cards. This was going to be a challenge – but I knew I could create something for the customer. So research started. They sent me two cards one of the world and one of the sun. The two were from different decks. Found a sun card to match the world card, and laid this all out. Sent the design to customer and they were happy with it. Then started to program cuts and tool paths. This was the most complex board I have done, and I was very happy with the finished board. This boars took in excess of four hours on the CNC just for the cards due to I the detail. Customer contacted me after they received the board to tell me it was even nicer than the picture I sent them, and they were pleased. I am hoping to hear back how their friend liked the gift.

Last one – this just happened this weekend. A friend of ours is moving away, and wanted a crib board with his and his wife’s initials on the front, and a small quote on the back to mark and remember their adventure. Again, I had stock that I could engrave and have the board ready for them within a day. Great to see him when he came to pick up his board. He left a great review on my facebook page, stating that this is heirloom quality for them.

What I personally love about all of these is the fact that the customers were not just buying a product, they were looking for something special and they shared that with me. I appreciate having the opportunity to build each and every one of these as well as all the products I build. I take great pride in being able to help my customers get something truly special for their loved ones or for themselves.

I truly enjoy this hobby, and take great pride in all I do. If I am not fully happy with what I am building for my customers, I will start over. What happens to the products that don’t work out? They sit in my shelves and in most cases will get cut up and re purposed for various other products.

If your still with me on this, and are wondering what is new and next. Stay tuned for my next post this week to find out. A slight diversion from my woodwork.

Well, here is my first post. This is all new to me as far as a website and blogs. It has been a journey to get to this point. But, with the support of my wife and son, I have been able to explore and expand my woodworking.

So todays post – a little about me. There is a descriptor in the website, but a quick summary is woodworking has always been something I enjoy. I got this passion many years ago while in High School. Took a short class in woodworking. At that time it was combined with other classes and you would take three disciplines in a semester. My two favourites were electronics and woodworking!

I enjoyed wood turning and convinced my Dad to help me buy a lathe. It was an old Rockwell/beaver. Had that up until a few years ago. It was close to 40yrs old and still worked great. Replaced with a Rikon Variable speed/reversible model.

Back to the teen years – I would use the lathe for spindles and make coffee tables. Made several and sold to friends, and family of friends. 50.00 each at that time. Made out of oak solids and plywoods.

Then I decided to get brave and build walls for the bathroom in the basement. Weird angles and panelling for the walls instead of drywall, but it worked and provided privacy in what was just an open space in the basement.

My mother had her mothers rocking chair, and at that time it was quite old, but not in good shape. So, I decided one day to restore this for my mom. It took quite some time, and I had to make a few spindles(good thing I had a lathe!). Mom was so happy, and she put it in her bedroom. I still have that old chair. It has a few more spindles broken and knowing what I know now, I will restore it as close I can to its original beauty. It’s a unique chair as my Baba must have been as short or shorter than my mom(mom was under 5 ft). The chair sits very low. This might be good project for an upcoming YouTube video.

There were many projects like these. Hope chests, Blanket boxes, anything someone would mention I was always the “ I can do that” guy. It has served me well through the years and life. I have gotten away from woodwork, and then come back to it several times.

For me it is not just like an old friend. It IS an old friend. Comforting and familiar. It is easy for me to get absorbed in a project, and at least temporarily escape the insanity that is our world at this time. It is a time for reflection and memories. My thoughts will wonder to family and friends no longer with us. A time for prayer, and hope. And the occasional “Dad would be proud of this one”.

Well, that covers most of my teen years. I will continue into my twenties and onward in the next post.

For now, please enjoy the site. I am open to suggestions or ideas from all, And I look forward to continuing on this journey.

Stay safe, and remember if you be anything, be kind.

Talk soon.