Vander Wood and Design

Well I’ve packed it all up and I’m taking a break. ✌️

It’s not goodbye forever. I feel like I’ve only barely grazed the surface of the woodworking world and I have so many more goals. But right now life has made a little pivot and is giving me a different opportunity.

Instead of pouring down workshop roots I’ve decided to travel the country instead. I’m a nomad at heart and I’m going to embrace this freedom to pick up and go wherever I like, whenever I like with my whole being.

I’m excited to see where I go and the people I meet. I plan to still learn and explore my craft further along the way, just not with my own two hands doing the actual making.

Thank you for the love and the support over the last couple years. I’m looking forward to sharing in my travels and the things I find until I’m back in my own shop.

I love doing custom projects for events including weddings and rehearsal dinners. It is even more special when it’s my brother’s wedding!

I love to see photos of my work shared! Here is a custom bookshelf I made for a client who had a specific design she wanted. It is made of birch plywood from and finished in dark walnut by .

This is my first project using rabbets and dadoes for support instead of hardware only and I am so happy with how she turned out.

This was also a guest using plywood edge banding and I have to say I am not a fan. I had to reheat it 2-3 times to get it to stay on and then I felt like it just kept picking up fuzzies. Maybe I need more practice or a different brand 🤔. (Any tips/tricks will be much appreciated!)

Thank you to all my clients and followers. Y’all are the reason this is possible!

Remember that post from last October when I said, “HEY I’m getting a workshop!” and I was so excited? Then life happened and things changed and I still have no shed and I’m still in my teensy house where I have to take over my guest bedroom to get anything finished. Especially when the Charleston weather never wants to cooperate with my schedule. But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Just don’t expect a factory finish on your custom piece 😂😂😂.

FINALLY getting to put my router skills to use after taking the “Respect Your Router” class by .labs! Starting a new job that is 100% travel has definitely put a very fluid timeline on all of my woodworking projects and commissions at the moment.

These rabbets are far from perfect, but I’m happy with the fit for a first attempt! Here’s to learning new things and poring said things into practice! 🥂

Stay tuned to see how dadoes go! 😬😬😬

Took my first trip to a lumber yard today and it was probably one of the most intimidating experiences of my life! I sat in the car for a solid 6 minutes debating on whether to get out or just leave.

But I am so glad I did it! The quality of wood, the service, and the friendliness of the staff was all excellent even while they were extremely busy! That will teach me to call ahead next time😬.

Thank you to for some tips on what to expect when going to a lumber yard! And I am excited to see what projects I can turn out with as my supplier!

I love when I get to see client photos! 🙌

I still remember this 8 foot long table being a bear to build, but she looks so nice in this studio! To see all the action check out YouTube channel.

I love when I get customer photos of a recent delivery!

This is a dog crate topper I built for a sweet coworker out of pine. I used plywood for the top and ripped a 1x3 for the edging. I had actually planned to use the 1x3 without ripping it and then realized the door wouldn’t open with it that thick and had to adjust. Just another instance of everything can look perfect on paper, but real life is not perfect! Stained with a mix golden oak and English chestnut by Minwax.

Hopefully the dog will love it as much as his human! 🐶🐶

Is 3 classes too many??

I’m asking for a friend….😆😆😆

I have recently discovered .labs, , abs and took my first class all about how to router. By . Unfortunately I haven’t been able to put my skills to the test as much as I would have like, but it was an excellent tutorial.

Can’t wait to see what other things I can learn with the upcoming classes!

It’s a beautiful sunny day and I want to see your sunny faces! Come out to to find my booth and tons of other amazing vendors!

12-5pm TODAY! ☀️☀️☀️

Looking for that perfect small space bench to compliment your piazza ceiling or entryway??? I’ve got you!

Come out to on Sunday afternoon to see this little beauty as well as some other new stuff I’ve been working on!

What’s your favorite way to distress wood? I used to paint and then sand but have recently come across dry brushing. I love that it’s so quick and it doesn’t need to have that perfect look.