Crafty Canadians
How one hobby naturally led to another
Afew years ago, I took up photography after receiving a camera from my kids for Father’s Day. Over time, I got better and folks started asking for framed prints of my work. At first I bought frames but then thought, why am I buying expensive frames when I can make my own?
I began collecting wood that otherwise would end up in the landfill and started making my own picture frames.
As I made the frames, I decided to make other things as well. I started o with something simple such as coee tables and end tables, still using salvaged wood I’d collected.
I soon realized I needed a workshop, so over a couple years, I collected even more wood that was headed to the landfill and built myself a little workshop of 100 per cent salvaged materials.
I have now turned my hobbies into a little side money-maker called “4All Woodwork & Photography.” I got the idea for the “4All” part of the name from a combination of two things. First, my brother told me that my late father used to say to him, “For all, you’re not a bad young fella.” Second, No. 4 was Bobby Orr’s jersey number and he was my brother’s favourite player.
These days, I can make just about anything that folks request.
One of my favourite projects is building lighthouses. As I am from P.E.I. originally, I wanted something to remind me of back home. I made one and then thought I’d see if anyone on social media would be interested—i’ve sold 30 so far and have shipped them all over Canada!
Besides lighthouses, I also make rustic wine racks, rustic gramma kitchens and just about anything else. My wife, Corina, and I even made a kitchen table and benches with 90-year-old wood from a family member’s old farmhouse. I have to say, woodworking and photography have become two of my greatest passions.