Handcrafted
January 9, 2008 - 12:32pm — JYork
Tucked back in the hollow between Backbone and Clapper ridges near Entriken, Pennsylvania, is a small shop where Jim (Wack) Marshall spends his day handcrafting items that he sells via the internet and at local crafts shows.The popularity of his hand-painted and stenciled wooden plaques, lighted Saltbox miniature buildings, and lamps keeps Jim busy.
Usually during time spent in the woods, I would cross paths with “Wack”, and we would discuss the latest “who, what, and where” details for the current hunting season. I knew he was a good hunter, but I never had him pegged as an artisan.
Turns out people from around the country and the world, for that matter, have come to appreciate Jim’s woodworking skills.
Jim’ shop is a typical woodworking oasis. You find racks of wood stock, project templates and jigs, and tools and machines to cut and shape the wood. As with any workshop, there is a pile of “odds and ends” from previous cuts and projects that look useable, so they are kept just in case.
Adjacent to his “cut and shape” workshop, there is another storage area where Jim paints, assembles, and stores the various craft items on which he is working or preparing to ship.
Like a cook who uses every pot and pan in the kitchen, Jim works full blast and cleans when the time is right. I think he uses the depth of the saw dust in his work area as a gauge to know when that time has arrived. Personally, I like the way the place looks, but Jim wanted some advance notice so he could “redd up" before I was invited to visit and take pictures.
Take a moment to visit with Jim by way of the following video.
The Internet is changing the way people earn a living, sell products, and shop. You can click here to visit Jim's Website and learn more about his handcrafted items.
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Comments
Wack the Wood Wizard :)
I loved the story! Raystown Primitives products are most definitely quality beyond expectation. However, some of the things Wack has built "outside of the craft world" are just as impressive. He truly IS a wood wizard! But, since he's my step-dad, I'm a little biast. I couldn't begin to count the times I've showed up with a magazine in hand (for inspiration, of course) with what I'm sure he would say is the all too familiar question, "Hey Wack, can you make me one of these?" :)
The home repair requests are endless, but that goes without saying... each one always to perfection and always with my greatest apprecation!
I'm so proud the rest of the world is beginning to recognize what "us family members" have known all along.... ONLY GOOD THINGS COME OUT OF PAPPY WACK'S SHOP!
Again, I loved the story, the pics and the video. A job well done!
Sincerely,
Missy Krayushkina