Most of us develop up studying a bit concerning the hobbies our dad and mom love, however we dream our personal desires, plan our personal careers, and chart our personal paths by life. We could by no means anticipate that those self same hobbies our dad and mom frolicked sharing with us would possibly sooner or later develop into one thing we cherish.
An finish desk and creation of Maple Bay Woodworks. That’s what occurred to 29-year-old Craig Slingerland of Kimball, Michigan. A husband and father of two babies working a full-time job in info know-how, Slingerland remembers his childhood years when he was at all times together with his dad who had a ardour for creating issues out of wooden.
“I at all times thought that he might make something I ever needed – and actually he did,” he says. “He made me a rocking horse, a gumball machine, and all types of distinctive gadgets out of wooden. Then as he acquired me within the store and confirmed me the way it occurs, I noticed how tough it’s.”
Slingerland’s father, Todd, shared this love for his interest with him early on in his childhood. Having reworked their household dwelling, Slingerland recollects that each element had his father’s private contact, from creating all of the trim to customized constructing each cupboard.
“Now being older and having gotten into it extra myself, I’ve a deep appreciation for what he can do and at all times go to him for ideas or recommendation if I would like it,” he provides.
Slingerland remembers his dad’s pleasure whereas he instructed him on small tasks of his very personal to observe creating issues from wooden. Over time, Slingerland’s father helped him to hone and ideal his abilities.
After Slingerland’s highschool years when he says sports activities and typical teenager actions have been a precedence, he finally realized the love he had for woodworking. Re-visiting the abilities that his father had taught him as a younger boy, Slingerland started to create customized tasks with a few of his favorites together with espresso tables, wall artwork, and different dwelling decor.
Craig Slingerland, proprietor of Maple Bay Woodworks. Slingerland laughs and says that it did not take lengthy earlier than issues started to pile up at his dwelling, and the thought of promoting a few of his merchandise quickly turned a actuality.
“I might solely make so many issues and I figured if I preferred doing it, and there’s a marketplace for it, why not go for it,” he says.
So he started advertising and marketing his tasks on just a few social media platforms and has now launched his personal small enterprise which has helped to create further revenue for his household.
A gentle, area people shopper base together with relationships with furnishings shops as a possible provider, in addition to markets that characteristic Michigan-made gadgets are a few of Slingerland’s long-term objectives for the longer term.
Following within the footsteps of his father, Slingerland plans to show his kids learn how to woodwork. He hopes that not solely will additionally they discover enjoyment in making their very own creations, however that they keep in mind and cherish having frolicked working alongside their dad — simply as he did together with his father.
See extra of Slingerland’s creations at fb.com/maplebaywoodworksmi or on Instagram @maplebay_woodworks.