Like all good stories, this one starts with dogs and Pinterest.
In 2016 I wanted to build a dog bed for my two rescue pups, Dixie and Reba. As they are quite large dogs, I was seeking out a space saving solution. In my search, I stumbled across a few ideas on Pinterest a.k.a. “Crafting Idea Paradise.”
All of a sudden it hit me… what if it was a dog bunk bed? It also dawned on me, that using rescued pallet wood would be a fitting choice for my rescue dogs.
So, I sketched out some plans and marched up the hill from the house to my husband’s workshop. My intention was to get my loving and talented woodworking husband to build it for me. Like any good wife who wants something, I batted my eyelashes and attempted to motivate him.
However, he took one look at the plans, and unfazed with my flirting, turned back to me saying, “You find the pallets and I’ll teach you how to build it.” {Sigh… I’m losing my touch.}
For me to build it myself seemed like a daunting task. At that point in my life, I had no idea how to use, let alone name the majority of the tools in his workshop. I mean what the heck is a lathe or a drill press or a reciprocating saw? Plus, some of the tools, like the “loud beast with teeth” that he calls a table saw, scared the hell out of me.
My patient husband gave me his famous cat-got-the-canary grin and soon instructed me on safety, tool names and their proper usage. Before I knew what I was getting into, the project commenced and I got over my fears. Most surprisingly, I found that woodworking was fun! Plus, the dog bunk bed turned out amazingly well!
Suddenly, I cultivated a passion for woodworking… specifically, up-cycled pallet crafting. Since that fateful day, I have built many wonderful things and have taken over Ron’s workshop. I still give him a little space in the corner to do his own wood projects. {If he would have just made it for me in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened. Wink!}
Then I did something terrible… I mean wonderful.
I posted a picture of the dog bunk bed on my Facebook page to share with all my friends and family. This lead to multiple commissioned works to people all over the country. Happy people started requesting things that I had never built before. Like a 10 ft. rustic armoire with 6 rolling drawers, a book shelf and a hinged cabinet. Yep, I built that. The client loved it!
It’s obvious that I have the pallet craft bug. I can’t drive by a pile of pallets without looking longingly at them and envisioning what they will become.
Now I’m on Etsy with my own little shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/tuffmommapalletcraft
My work may be a bit more expensive than similar projects you might find there, however it’s high quality work that I stand by. Furthermore, it’s for a great cause.
I decided since my rescue dogs inspired me to take on pallet crafting, that I will give my Etsy profits to places that serve rescue dogs.
If you believe in what I’m doing and see something you like in my shop, give me a shout or a comment below!
With love ~ Vashon, the TUFF Momma
(Stamped on all projects I make. This way you know they are authentic.)