The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Wellingtons create custom wood work
Wellington Woods: Laurie and Kenny Wellington create unique items from damaged wood
MADISON » What does a tree farmer do after a severe wind stormdestroys dozens of acres of trees?
For Laurie and Kenny Wellington, that meant a bit of a change of plan, or as Laurie called it, the chance to “make lemonade from lemons.”
They had moved to the area in 2012, building a new home, but just two years later a storm of straight-line winds took down 50 acres of their trees in Hubbardsville. That potentially- devastating incident actually became the foundation of a brand-new business for the couple. The damaged wood made perfect material for wood crafting, so they opened their Wellington Woods shop in Madison to sell their uniquely crafted items.
From tables to mantels, their one-of-a-kind woodcrafts offer gift item ideas not available anywhere else. Even now, they never have to cut down living trees for new projects. Mother Nature takes care of providing the supply for them, Laurie said, and nothing goes to waste. Whatever doesn’t turn into a craft project becomes fuel to heat the building, Kenny said.
Wellington Woods invites holiday shoppers to the an-
“If people bring us their ideas, we will make it.”
— Laurie Wellington, Weelington
Woods
nual Holiday Open House sponsored by the Madison-Bouckville Promotions group, an organization of participating businesses seeking to strengthen sales for all. The Open House started Friday and runs through the end of the day Sunday, with several of the area shops on and along the Route 20 corridor from Madison to Bouckville decoratedfor the holidays and serving tasty treats. There is also the chance for visitors to winprizes, in addition to the holiday bargains for sale in the shops.
This time of year, the Wellingtons are offering custommade gifts for the holidays, working like Santa’s elves themselves to create gift items not available anywhere else.
“Our niche is definitely becoming the custom pieces, made right to our customers’ specifications,” Kenny said.
“If people bring us their ideas, we will make it,” Laurie added.
The Wellingtons were looking for a central location for their new shop and the build--
ing -- recently the site of the Veranda -- was available and they bought it this past July. Although when they first visited the site they found it could obviously use some loving care, and the ceiling was actually lying on the floor, the couple saw a lot of potential there.
“It was an old historical building and people were reminiscing about it. We were thrilled to be able to purchase it,” Laurie said.
They quickly jumped right into the sales excitement of the famed Route 20 area in August as the annual Antique Week returned, the biggest event of the year for the antiques and collectibles community, where they are right in the midst. Although the majority of their business is newly-made woodcrafts, they do have some antique wares in the shop, items as much of interest to curious historians as they are to collectors.
Antique Week went well for them, Laurie said, and helped get the word out about the fledgling business and the new repurposing of the old-time building.
Kenny is the carpenter, and Laurie is the painter. Together, they create beautiful works of wooden artistry. And because they have their own saw mill, and make the items themselves, there is no middle man … giving them the ability to keep their prices low, Laurie explained.
It’s now coming into the slow season, so they are in the process of totally renovating the site. Laurie said they are going to be open shorter hours by appointment during the winter as they go through much of the building to expand to a full five showrooms by the spring.
Working together on the new shop has been rewarding Both agreed for they the enjoy couple. the chance to take their products from the simplest wooden beginnings to the artistry of the final creation.
“I like being able to be creative,” she said. “I’ve been coming up with ideas for years and years, and it’s been a longtime dream of mine to someday have a gallery.”
“I enjoy making things out of unusual pieces of wood,” Kenny said, noting some of the seeming imperfections in the wood actually give it the most character and are often the most attractive. “We are taking it right from the beginning,
straight through to the end product.” The ideas are always bubbling … even a simple stroll through an area of forest or watching a television show has taken on a whole new meaning for the couple.
“When I walk through the woods now, I look around and think, ‘ What can I make from that?’” Laurie said.
“I will be watching a TV commercial and say, ‘ Did you see that table? We can do that,’” Kenny added.
Wellington Woods is located at 6969 State Route 20 in Bouckville, at the intersection of Route 12B. For more information, visit: www.wellingtonwoodscny.com The Holiday Open House runs through Sunday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more on that event or any other offering from the antiques and collectibles community along Route 20, visit: www.madison-bouckville.com
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