A couple was on a trip and came across a bench(last two pictures) they really loved. They liked how old and distressed it looked. Also how it looked like it was built with what the people had at the time. All of these things gave it character and personality to them.

With these two pictures and talking with the wife I recreated the look for them. She told me that when it came to distressing the bench that there couldn’t be enough. She said”take all of my frustrations of 2020 out on it.” I told her that if I did there wouldn’t be any bench left haha!

After I left from delivering the wife thanked me for making what is now her favorite piece of furniture in the house. Now if THAT doesn’t make a creator feel good nothing will!

A couple had an old solid wood twin sized bedframe that used to belong to their now very grown up son. They didn’t want to get rid of it but were tired of having it sitting in the garage leaning against the wall. When the wife called me she started off with “I know this may sound weird and I don’t know if you would be interested in do something like this but we want to turn ours son’s old bedframe into a bench.”

Little did she know I have ALWAYS wanted to do this but could never find the right one. After I convinced her I wasn’t kidding I made it happen! They had not decided whether to paint or stain it so I just sanded it all down. I was very happy to be able to do it for me...I mean them(haha).

I was contacted by a gentleman with a special request. He and his brothers lost their father a little while back. He wanted to have an old school portable suitcase style bar made out of wood his father used to make an old cabinet decades ago. It was to hold one good sized bottle, six whiskey glasses and cigars/cutter. The customer and his brothers planned to meet at a local park and use the bar to have a special toast to their dad.

After hearing the story and idea I just had to make it happen for him! After getting the pieces of the broken up cabinet and planing the wood down I discovered both old growth oak and poplar. I came up with a design, got approval and went to work. The deep greens of the poplar and the golden tones of the oak gave this creations such a one of a kind unique look.

When I met the man to deliver the bar he was extremely happy and grateful to me for helping his family honor their father by creating such a sentimental piece. He said they will pass down to the next generations. I was and still am honored to be able to do it.

 

The dining table this family was using was just a little to short of elbow room as the kids started to get older so they called me with an idea. They had a old workbench that they only used once. It had a solid maple butcher block top that was the perfect size but definitely needed some love. I took it home, flattened both sides, sanded it down and sealed the wood with six coats of  food grade sealer. When I brought it back and installed it to the old dining table base the family was amazing that it was the same scratched up dull looking wood that was collecting dust in the garage.

A lady was having a very large custom front door made for their house. It was very modern with textured glass. When it came to the company adding a matching steel handle the home owner had something else in mind. She commissioned me to help her pick out and use a six foot piece of hardwood to create a handle instead. She wanted a natural element to contrast and pop against the cold look of the steal and glass. We picked this walnut that had beautiful figuring throughout. As the sun hit the door at different times of the day the wood would visually change like rippling water. These pictures definitely do not do it justice.

 

Was contacted by a customer who was tired of her “boring, not me” kitchen and needed a change. She had been in her house for awhile but it never felt like her. The customer already changed her flooring and painted most of the house. It was time to tackle the heart of the home. After starting with the countertops and backsplash the island was next on the list. She wanted the it to be faced with whitewashed oak with an “X” farm pattern. Later she replace the pendant lighting and painted the cabinets white. The customer said it turned out even better than she had in her mind which is a big compliment! #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #kitchen #kitchenisland #refacing #barnlook #whitewashingwood #anothersatisfiedcustomer

This was a fun one. The customer who was moving into a new place by herself wanted to take both an old television cabinet and wooden wire spool and turn them into an entertainment center/tv stand and a side table. She wanted to give them a refresh while still keeping their age and character. Because there wasn’t enough room for the rolling barn door she wanted I came up with sliding version for the renewed cabinet. I completely reinforced the main box, added the shelves, bead-board to the back, used the chalk paint she chose and distressed it.

The spool was cleaned up, sanded, reinforced and had a round piece of tempered glass added to the top. They were the perfect contrast to her brand new modern apartment. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #progress #woodenspool #glasstop #reuse #recycle #oldtubetelevision #upcycle

 

Was contacted by a soon to be expecting mother who really wanted a baby gate that would look like a white picket fence with a matching gate in the middle. It was going across the opening of a room and would be attached to each side like a built in. The main purpose of this(besides being an awesome esthetic idea of the customer) is to keep all the babies play toys in and protected from their bulldog(that she also loved)that apparently sheds a lot, slobbers and would chew up the baby toys. I was extremely happy to make this happen for her! It is 30” tall and has a house shaped mailbox. The customer asked for flat white paint. I chose one that had no vocs and is washable which will come in handy having a kid and a bulldog. Haha!

The boxes in the room are filled with farm style furniture, accessories and padded floor tiles that will complete the theme. They were waiting for the fence before they begun. I can’t wait to see it all together! It was a fun project with great people! The new mom says she loves how it turned out which is always the icing on the cake for me. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #babyroom #playroom #keepthedogout #bulldog #picketfence #whitepicketfence #indoorfence #roomseperator #install #happycustomer

My parents inherited this table from my grandparents when my father’s parents past away. My 82 year old Dad used to eat at this table when he was a kid. And it was used when they got it. I am honored to refinish it for them. The bonus is that it will someday be passed down to me.

My parents wanted it sanded and refinished but they for sure wanted to make sure I kept as much of the original flaws as possible so it would still look as old as it actually was. After sanding it down I realized the table was made of a combination of two different wood types. I chose the dark because my parents like the darker look and it will darken more over time. Considering the leaves have a little bit of natural red tones in a couple of parts I am happy with the color match overall. #refinishing #table #familyheirloom #honored #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702

Here is a cedar bench I finished up. Decided to give the base both a little pop and strength by reenforcing it with screws and using poplar wood for contrast. I originally made it for fun and to stay creative with the idea to maybe sell it. Whenever I create something for a customer my wife usually asks me if we can keep it. Well when she asked this time she was happy the answer is yes. Will probably go in the entryway of whatever house we end up getting. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #cedar #cedarbench #hesaidyes #happytokeepit

While I was making the card display holder for my wife(@rnjetta) I liked the way the combination I used looked so I decided to make a set of coasters with it that will be up for sale. As with the holder here they are with the first coat of @odiesoil original oil. #coasters #odified #buffitoff #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702

Usually I get my wife cards and we go do something for Mother’s Day(whatever she wants to do). With everything going on I haven’t been able to go and get any. She asked me to make her a card display rack and sent me a picture (2nd picture here). Well I was happy to but given what I do for a living I didn’t want to make a plain/to me boring one. I decided to kick it up a notch and used a combination of bubinga, sapele, padauk and canary woods. Here it is with the first coat of @odiesoil original oil. Posted her example and my version pictures so you can see.

In the spirit of creating with what I have while I wait to go back to work I am making some wall decor that I have been putting off for awhile. Here is the first set of 3 so far. The first set is made with both cedar and redwood and will thinly framed in African Mahogany. The second is made with cedar, redwood a with walnut as both the frame and integrated within each piece.

Here they are all finished with their final coat of three(2 @odiesoil dark oil and 1 @odiesoil dark butter). There is a still picture in the garage natural daylight and videos in full light to show how awesome they look depending on the angle you see them from. The depth and shimmering of the grain! Of course none of these do them real justice compared to in person but I don’t think it is safe to do that much driving right now Would like to sell as a set but willing to sell as individuals. These are up for sale as well as all of my both available and can be custom made cutting boards, magnetic bottle openers and wine bottle/glasses holders. Let me know if you are interested. #createwithwhatyouhave #wallart #decor #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702

Have some repeat customers that are retiring teachers from the Clark County School District who have an old teachers desk and want it to be refinished and a darker color. After I get it all sanded down properly it is going to get refinished with @odiesoil finishes in the creative colors that they have the nontoxic pigments.

It had several coats of old school amber shellac that were not fun to get off. Because there is 1/4” plywood in most areas there was only so much stripping and sanding that could be done without going too far down. The customers actually appreciate that it still looks old instead of like it was just built and wanted it to be two toned. I purposely made the top, drawer handles and legs a little darker to make the rest pop. I used both @odiesoil custom pigments(Chocolate Lab)mixed with their dark oil and their original oil to seal it. Will be adding a couple more coats(already 2 on there) to the top for extra durability. It should be back in the customer’s home office at the end of the week! I included a before, some during the process and some of the final. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #desk #refinish #goldenoak #teacher #teachersdesk #odiesoil #pigments

So I have been working on this back and forth for a little while and I am finally ready/able to post it. I was contacted by a customer who loves to cross stitch to relax in her spare time. She even likes to go on road trips, stop at an area with beautiful scenery and work on one of her creations. She searched and searched for a stand that is fully adjustable(for any size frame, standing, sitting, laying down etc), folded up for travel and was easy to use but there wasn’t anything out there. She asked me to figure out, design and build one from scratch. I like a good challenge so I was happy to do it.

Here is the working prototype that I came up with and patented. I used t track for ease of adjustment vs the old style with the holes and pins and designed it to adjust and lock in at any angle. Plus it easily folds up to about 3” tall for travel and or storing away.

I am pretty happy with it. More importantly the customer is very happy and excited to use it. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #crossstitch #crossstitchstand #fullyadjustable #patented

My wife is a very giving person. She always makes it a point to do things to make sure her staff knows/feels that they are appreciated. This year, besides all the baking and gifts she is giving them, I decided to make them each a little something from me to show them MY thanks for how well they treat her too. Here are the tea light candle holders I did to add just a little something to their bags of goodies. I sealed them with my favorite sealer @odiesoil and used my XXL Superjaws from @triton_tools_uk(which came in very handy). I hope they enjoy them! #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #christmas #alittlesomethingextra #tealightholder #tealight

Today I installed a few more floating shelves for a repeat customer. They liked the first two bigger ones I did(you can see them in a couple of the pictures on the left) they wanted to add some around the corner at the end of the hall for books and more knick knacks. They can all be seen from their living room at the same time. Once again they are happy so of course so am I. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #floatingshelves #repeatcustomer #happycustomer #anothersatisfiedcustomer #happycustomerhappyme

Been working on a dog ramp for one of my repeat customers. She has a lot of vintage furniture throughout her house including her bedroom that she wanted to match the look of. I went with bead board and wider trim.

In order to not waste the space of the cavity I left her an opening in the front for any knickknacks/plants that she wants to put in and an opening in the back to use as a sort of secret compartment since it will be up against the bed on that side. At request from the customer I also went with dowels to plug holes made for the recessed screws and left some of the brad nail holes to give it an older look instead of hiding all of the fasteners. When the material is decided I will be adding it so the lucky dog doesn’t slip while using it. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #dogramp #hiddenstorage

Did a quick delivery/install of a 5’ x 10’ substrate for a massive stone top table today with the last minute help of a good friend. He secretly took these behind the scene pictures and sent me this video later. Had to share it!

The customers always wanted a huge table that will seat plenty of people and be a statement piece for their home. Well this will do it! We made the joke saying that if they were ever robbed this would for sure not be taken ha ha! I finished the visible bottom of the table with with a few coats of @odiesoil dark(both oil and butter). They told me they were very grateful for my patience, help in making decisions in what was uncharted territory for them and customer service. This of course made me happy because I pride myself in trying to do so with every job. I can’t wait to see it when it is all done! #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #substrate #table #anothersatisfiedcustomer #anotherhappycustomer

Quick but fun project from last week. Customer is converting this “gently used” piece of furniture into a bar. He will be refinishing it himself including adding a stone top but needed my help to make it about a foot shorter in width and box it out for open storage. While I had it I decided to also replace a few small missing pieces and reinforce it in a few places(including the bottom shown in one of the pictures). He is very happy with it so of course so am I. When he is finished with his part of the transformation he will be commissioning me to build a custom top for it. #creationsbyjeff #ilovemyjob #custom #custommade #wood #woodworking #workwithyourhands #selftaught #ibuild #imake #icreate #carpenter #maker #alwaysbuilding #vegas #vegaswoodworker #vegascarpenter #vegaslocal #702 #reinforce #modify #bar #anotherhappycustomer