It’s That Time Again!

It’s that time of the year again! I have less than a month left before my first show of 2009, so I am busily working in the shop to get my inventory built up. My online sales really increase last year between Thanksgiving and Christmas so my inventory dropped to an all time low. My custom closet business saw an increase in business over the past couple of months which took time away from the craft business side, so I am scrambling a little to catch up.

Oiling New Boards

I have been working on new cutting board designs and wood combinations this week and got about 10 boards finished. However, I sold a couple of them online this week, so I feel like I backed up a little. I also had a custom size order from Etsy this week. It’s been a good week for online sales.

I have traditionally made my boards with one or more contrasting woods. However, lately I have been making solid, one wood boards. I have had a few customers requesting all dark boards, such as walnut, and after making them, I have come to appreciate the beauty of an all walnut board, especially one that has a lot of lighter colored sap wood mixed in. The natural dark and light end grain swirls make these cutting boards real eye catchers.

My dipping boards sold very well last year, so I have also been making more on these. My source for the handmade bowls shipped me another twenty bowls last month so I should have enough for a while unless customers make a run on them like they did during the Christmas rush. I have a new product for 2009 that I call a wine snack tray. I made up 20 of them to test at the upcoming show and I should have them listed on Etsy within the next few weeks.

Wine Snack Tray