05/24/2026
As if filling the shop with beautiful furniture and a sunrise grant award were not enough(previous post), we have already been home a week with our beautiful healthy daughter Jane Maureen Melde.
I am so thankful for my wife ,without her, I would have nothing, but since this is my business page, I’ll stick with I wouldn’t be a furniture maker. She has encouraged me and supported me in following this dream. Shortly after going full time in 2021 I had gnarly-bloody-ambulance-surgery-physical therapy-for-months accident, I’ll spare you the bloody photos. I was in shock from a traumatic injury, but I was terrified that I’d lost it all and would forced to go back to teaching. She still supported me to get back on my feet and back in the shop. She has put up with early mornings, late nights(NO power tools), and some weekends without me. She is the only person I can ask for an honest opinion about what is wrong with a piece I’m working on. She is an incredible person, mother, and partner. She’s also an incredibly talented hairdresser. Even “Melde Made” as a business name was her idea. It’s basically her business I just work here.
I love you and I will forever be grateful for you.
Note on the photos: I made signs for both kids rooms and put up Oak wainscoting in Janes room. Thank you to for doing a fantastic job painting the new wainscoting and trim. The wide open Red Oak grain still pops with this lovely hint of pink paint.