What is Log Season?

Log Season is HERE!

Just as I have about had my fill of cooking in the Dragon Wagon, it's time to winterize it and start thinking about logs. Whatever version of 'tism it is that makes me sabotage regular employment can also affect my own endeavors if care isn't taken. The resulting mix has been someone who freelances for local TV stations, creates adventures for D&D, operates a food truck, and LOGS.... among other things.

It started as an experiment on ETSY, but was an idea that lingered with me for a long time. Many years ago, I thought there must be a way to sell a piece of Maine with a candle in it without being a fine finish carpenter. I suggested this to my dad once and he was convinced no one would want a log with a candle. I assumed he was right, like I did a little too many times even though I had a great respect for him.

Cutting Logs

Many years later, I was sure I could sell goods on Etsy, but what? I kept gravitating to the logs and now I knew a little about Yule, religions that adopted others, and  marketing.

It was a slow start to get to production and I ruined a friend's bandsaw blade trying to cut green birch in two. Sales were coming in though. I eventually came across a system to get the logs cut down the middle, drilled, and planed. Now there is a log season and a winter income around the shop.

Holidays can Suck

For the vast majority of my life, holiday seasons were financially the WORST and tightest times. Capitalist society also puts HEAVY pressure on people to unleash unreasonable amounts of spending in these leanest of months. Many retailers even suggesting you are less of a parent, spouse, or family member if you aren't buying big ticket items. Yes  in the US there are commercials of people just buying cars with giant bows on them as gifts.

A long time ago we personally discarded that idea but the winter months were still pretty tight. Etsy sales have filled this gap now. ETSY is FAR from perfect, and indeed pretty frustrating much of the time, but it's where the shopper web traffic resides.

Upgrades

Along the way I picked up a laser burner/cutter and now some of  the product are accompanied by laser burnt imagery.

I love the Dragon Wagon, but sometimes I am glad to see it at rest and I'm able to ease into my shop with Tuka the Wonder Dog and just cut and drill things while listening to Delta Blues.

Want To See Some Logs?

FEHUWORKS is the name I've given the wood shop and Etsy items. Depending on what time of year it is you're looking at this you may or may not see a wide selection... but there will likely be some logs.

This bit of reflection is written as I sit and rest my back between cutting sessions and plans to trudge the woods of Maine for more birch logs.

and now I've added a bandsaw mill - but more on that another time.

In Other News

I picked up a MechMaxx 32" bandsaw mill while the price was right. I have a few plans for this to contribute to the ETSY options, but moreover as our new dictator doesn't understand business economics, or how to read, he keep tariffing things arbitrarily. That includes Canadian lumber which supplies the northern half of the US. I have to build a Shelter for the wagon, and possibly an addition to have Mom move back in with us if he continues to steal social security and other benefits from her.

As I plan on 'digging in' this will be a nice productive side option for trade and material supply for us in the upcoming recession or depression.

In the matter of just a few logs, I ruined a blade by backing it into a log and popping it off the track under tension. Luckily the blades aren't as expensive as I thought, but you have to buy them in 10 packs. So....  eh...

Learning curve mistakes aside, I can tell it's a cheaper version of some mills, but it's still a solid mill and does the job. I feel good about this purchase.