Shop Dogs Custom Woodworking

01/22/2026

2025 recap/photo dump/something clever that the kids are calling it these days…part two!

2025 was a big year of home projects/pupgrades at ShopDogs HQ.

1 - Technically late 2024 but fully decorated in early 2025 was a matching pair of couches. Our old sectional finally called it quits, and these are a really fun replacement. All white oak from my grandparents backyard, highlighting my favorite quartersawn grain pattern with the medullary ray flecking, bookmatching, and a lot of challenging new joinery. And the mattress seats have already been put to good use for multiple funion sleeovers!

2 - The home office got a big storage boost with some built-in shelving around the doorway. It gives the room an interesting entrance and a ton of capacity for holding our growing list of hobbies (this was shortly after construction, and not nearly full enough yet (lol)

3 - The living room also got a big makeover with a built-in entertainment center, complete with tons of storage and a home for my great-grandparents old toy box. (and yes, the built-in is level, the floor is just that wonky right there)

4/5 - Later in the year, our board gaming habit took off so of course we needed to add a game table! Eventually (some day…maybe) it will get a removable top so it can function as a dining/coffee table as well.

6 - Not to be forgotten, the shop got a major upgrade too by finally bringing in a SawStop. This has been a dream tool addition for awhile now, and I am stoked to have it (and all of my fingers) as a permanent resident.

7/8/9 - Last but certainly not least (and she will make sure you know it), Poppy became the newest member of the ShopDog crew. Maddux is (usually) thrilled to have a four-legged coworker around again and she brings a lot of fun and excitement every day

01/19/2026

2025 recap/photo dump/something clever that the kids are calling it these days…part one!

Quite the busy year for ShopDogs! We got in quite a few home projects and several fun commissions.

1 - These spatulas and herb st*****rs were a big hit at Christmas (and excellent prizes/bribes to encourage playing more board games)

2 - The Bar-M ranch was established following the classic scenario where the 2 year old wins the family bracket challenge

3 - The perfect baby shower present for when the mailman is expecting a special delivery

4 - They may not be my team but I’m happy to support my dad’s KC fandom with a cutting board that will definitely never be cut on

5 - Of course you can’t just go pickup your local milk order unless you have something cute for transport

6 - And finally a desk and coffee table combo that were long in the works, ready just in time to head out to their new home in Arizona

11/15/2025

Just finished up a great project for the alma mater! Dunlap Athletic Booster Club was looking for a better way to store and display their spiritwear. We came up with a design to look like old fashioned wooden bleachers, and built that around some tote storage and custom display items. It debuted at Maroon and Gold Night yesterday and hopefully will see many more to come!

Thanks to the boosters, Dunlap Athletics, Dunlap High School for a fun project!

10/22/2025

While it might be spooky season now, the holly jolly season is just around the corner!

These cheese boards would make a great gift or help you host a wine-derful gathering, and are available now! All solid walnut with the hardware installed and ready to slice.

$40 each, can arrange pickup/delivery near Peoria or add shipping if out of town. Message if interested or if you have questions!

02/14/2025

Beautiful kitchen trio that was recently donated to Foster Village Peoria for their Fostering Love Gala silent auction! Hard to top the classic All-American combo of Walnut, Cherry, and Maple. Raised some money for a great cause, and someone got a big upgrade to their kitchen!

02/06/2025

Ah, the simple serving tray! Had a little fun with this one by using some highly figured quartersawn white oak from my grandparents tree. The ray flecks really POP on the sides, and are quite wild on the bookmatched solid wood bottom as well. And for good measure, the grain wraps continuously around all four corners, which is a fun technique to amp up a simple object. Makes for a great display piece, in addition to more practical uses!

02/04/2025

Love supporting a fantastic local cause!

We can’t wait until Saturday!!!! Huge shout out to our sponsors! And thank you to our life and silent auction donors as well!

Thank you to our sponsors:
⭐️ Angie Powers, Realtor - Keller Williams Revolution (Platinum Sponsor)
⭐️ Hy-Vee (Gold Sponsor)
⭐️ Widmer Interiors (Gold Sponsor)
⭐️ BCS Construction (Silver Sponsor)

And thank you to all our Auction Donors!

✨ Pat Sams, COUNTRY Financial (Platinum Donor)
✨Stone School Farms (Platinum Donor)
✨ Alexander's Steakhouse Peoria (Silver Donor)
✨ Grace and Peace Lutheran Church (Silver Donor)
✨ Shop Dogs Custom Woodworking (Silver Donor)
✨ Handmade by Peggy K (Bronze Donor)
✨ Grant and Thomasina Madden (Bronze Donor)
✨ Autohaus of Peoria (Bronze Donor)
✨ Amanda Stevenson Photography (Bronze Donor)

Can’t wait to see you all Saturday, doors open at 6pm!

01/23/2025

Handmade tools with a handmade toolbox! Another family gift featuring some beautiful quartersawn white oak, again from my grandparent’s tree. This was a lot of fun to figure out the different tool stylings and mixing in some other wood species. White oak, cherry, walnut, and maple all play so nicely together!

01/20/2025

Upgraded the mug stand to a double version this past Christmas! This was a super figured chunk of white oak from my grandparent’s tree that I kept as an offcut from another project. It ended up making the perfect organizer for their coffee/tea station. Found a fun mug to pair with it at the discoverpeoria shop too!

11/13/2024

Delivered another great trio of wedding gifts recently! Love combining handmade touches with practical items that might last as long as the marriage itself, while also being some of the most used items. Can be done as individual pieces, or go together with a few people and do the whole set to match!

03/04/2024

Rack ‘em up! Lots of helpful racks for organization and display. Plenty of walnut for our house of course, but some cherry managed to sneak into the large item rack under the island.

02/23/2024

Flashback Friday to this fun Cookbook Stand and Charcuterie board combo made as a wedding gift, custom engraved with a logo from the wedding invitations! Maple and Cherry always make a great combo, and who can resist a custom addition?!?