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Olson Wood Works, White Bear Lake, MN (2026)

08/16/2024

I made this box as a gift, it measures 9 1/2 inches long 4 inches wide, 2 inches deep. This is a box design that I have done in the past and is meant to be used as a desk box to house, pens or pencils. I wanted this to be special so I picked out a very nice straight grain piece of red elm for the body of the box. I then went about the process of re-sawing the lumber so that I could get a four corner grain match, this is a very small detail that most would never notice but once you do, it looks very nice. I splined the corners with walnut to strengthen the box. I then picked out a very nice piece of Walnut for the top. This piece had some really nice figure. I lined the box with leather, so that things wouldn’t rattle around when put into it. Then came the task of sanding through many grits, and then applying the finish, which consists of thinners, varnish, and boiled linseed oil. This is applied in a method called French polishing. What that means is that it’s put on in very thin coats sanded back then more coats applied until you build up a very nice gloss shine. This is evident in the box itself as red elm is a very porous wood. I don’t recall how many coats I applied, but it was many. I then made the handle for the lid which on this box, I thought a simple design would work well and not take away from the rest of the box so I simply used a bevel cut piece of walnut. I realize it’s just a silly little box, but wanted to make something special and I hope it’s treasured for a very long time.

04/25/2024

I don’t often post personal things, it’s usually some goofy thing that I have made or baked or cooked and the occasional harebrained idea,however, today is a very good day and it would be wrong for me not to recognize Lauri for her bravery and steadfastness. She had her last oncology appointment today. And after 10 years that started with surgeries then chemotherapy and radiation, followed by countless scans and medication‘s that caused her a lot of discomfort, of which she never complained about. She was given the ALL CLEAR!!! today. I had to kind of chuckle. She said she had one more of those anti-cancer pills to take, and having been given the all clear even for a moment, considered not taking the last one. However, she said she’s going to see this thing to the end! So tomorrow this nightmare will officially be over. Those of you that have been through cancer understand that this is a very emotional day for both of us. Never for a moment was there a doubt that she would fight this thing to the end and ultimately beat it, but there’s no way that I can possibly express how in awe I am of Lauri. Throughout this whole ordeal, she has always kept her sense of humor, after all she has had to live with me. So if you see her, please give her a thumbs up, a way to go, a hug, whatever, because if anybody deserves it she does. Here’s to the next 10 years !

03/30/2024

This was a very interesting and fun one to do. This one was made to honor a grandfather, and actually took his grandson years of research to get everything correct within the display. The frame is made out of elm, which isn’t a real common framing wood, however, has some spectacular grain. I hope it’s treasured for many many years to come. Thank you for trusting me with these items

03/07/2024

I’m quite sure I’ve never been considered an artist, wood hoarder yes, artist, no. However, I had this really nice piece of walnut. That was too small for a table being about 13 inches wide by 29 inches long, but it has some beautiful grain and colors so I thought I would try my hand at wall art. After flattening the slab and hand cutting the bowties, it was sanded through all of the grits, I then applied one of my favorite finishes, Odies oil. Which is a natural hard wax finish. Once that had cured for several weeks, I then re-sanded it with 2000 grit and applied a topcoat of oldies oil . I think it’s got a very nice sheen. It was a fun little in between projects project. Now I better get busy with some real stuff. I really do have to upgrade my phone with a better camera. Looks much nicer in person.

02/08/2024

It was truly an honor to build this burial flag display. As you can see this soldier served during WWII, and as I was told he was in the thick of it. Once he returned stateside he started a successful business and also farmed. As you can see by the DOB and DOD lived a full life of 100+ years. He was truly a member of the greatest generation. I can’t even imagine the changes he had to adapt to throughout his life. I am humbled and honored to be trusted in making this display. It is my hope he would approve.

01/14/2024

After Lauri rearranged our family room furniture there was a 12 inch void next the the sofa, where she was using a very small round table/plant stand that I had made out of a piece of applewood as a table. It was way too small and was not going to hold her beverage and a book. So to the shop I went. After measuring and determining that I needed a custom size table, that being 24 inches long by 12 inches wide and 18 inches tall, I went through some of my scraggy pieces of white oak and found just the board to use (I am a wood hoarder) after measuring and figuring out how to cut it to get most of the pieces I needed, I went about cutting milling and making the parts for the table. I did have to go into my cut off bin for a couple of pieces, but for the most part made the table out of wood that would most times be used for kindling. I decided to go with a mid century modern style, which is way out of my usual craftsman furniture style. This required me to make a template for the splayed legs and go about making the pieces I needed. After all pieces were made, came a bunch of sanding assembly and finishing. I used a hard wax oil (Odies oil) applying the initial coat, letting it harden then sanding to 1200 grit and reapplying and buffing the final coat giving it a very nice luster. I don’t like shiny finish that looks like plastic. I know it is a small table however there is a considerable amount of woodworking that went into it. One of the interesting parts of this table is that I actually cut, milled, and solar kiln dried the materials for this table. Another example of why not only do I love being retired, but am never bored. Onto the next project.

01/06/2024

And so the process begins. I know there are premade bow ties (or as my dad a lifelong carpenter would call them, Dutchmans) but I find that I can determine the size and shape of them if I make them by hand. After I cut them on the bandsaw I use a chisel and file to finesse them into the perfect shape. I then scribe the shape of each one onto the slab and go about chiseling and routing out the slab to accept them. These are used to stabilize areas where the slab has cracked. Once they are installed the crack will go no further. And I think they look pretty nice to boot. This slab is red elm and I am using walnut bow ties, I like the subtle contrast. The crazy part is that this is actually the bottom of the slab. I install them on both sides so the slab will be stable for generations. There is also a subtle visual difference between using a jig and doing them by hand, that is that the very corners on the hand chiseled inlays come to a sharp point and the ones using a jig are rounded. I know, something 99% of people would not notice, but I do. And I find it very therapeutic to do them the old school way. Stay tuned I think this table is going to come out pretty sweet.

01/05/2024

Nice day of flattening slabs. There are 5 beautiful table tops just waiting to happen. Left to right. White oak, White oak, Walnut, Walnut and Red Elm. I already know which one is the first victim. 👍👍👍

01/03/2024

A small sampling from my happy place. Stepping it up for 2024. Stay tuned.

12/27/2023

I had a very touching thing happen today. I recently had a request for an urn for a beloved pet, it was explained that this was very special for the family as there are also two children that had never known the family without their dog Nika and that this was going to be a very hard thing for all of them. After the materials were selected I went about making the urn. (I thought it would be nice for the two boys to have a small Nika nameplate for their rooms). Today I met with two members of the family, the dad and his 9 year old son. After some conversation I was given funds to once again “pay it forward” of which always shows kindness beyond words. I alway use pay it forward funds for materials for future urns. And in the spirit of the kindness shown I also pay it forward with my time. While I was talking to his dad the 9 year old asked his dad to unlock their vehicle, I thought he was just getting cold, however he returned with a 5.00 bill from his Christmas money and wanted to contribute to the next family. I told him that was very kind and wasn’t necessary, however no was not going to fly, he said that he thought this was a better use of his money. I can only imagine how proud his dad was at that moment. It pretty much took all I had to not get any more visibly choked up than I already was. Just when you think the world has totally flown off the tracks, something like this happens and restores all faith in some the young people around us. Clearly this young man comes from good stock! I hope in some small way this urn helps this family..

12/27/2023

Busy in the shop. 😳

10/18/2023

As a dog person, making these always tugs at my heart. I hope that in some small way this helps. I really hope this brings back great memories of Oakley.

Olson Wood Works

08/16/2024

04/25/2024

03/30/2024

03/07/2024

02/08/2024

01/14/2024

01/06/2024

01/05/2024

01/03/2024

12/27/2023

12/27/2023

10/18/2023

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