We were lucky to catch up with Crystal Downing recently and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

On a hike with my family, we gathered random sticks and branches that the kids wanted to bring home. Fine, what harm could it do? If anything, we’ll have a fire later that night. I found myself intrigued with what these branches “could be” and started sanding down one of the larger sticks and before I knew it, I had made a beautiful walking stick. So, I picked up another, and another, until I didn’t put them down. One thing led to another and here I am today. I’ve expanded my horizons and now reclaim discarded wood into beautiful signs and decor.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When I was 18 and on the verge of graduating, I still had no idea what the “Plan” was for my future. I still had not found the “thing’ that truly made me happy. I imagine at that age 80% of my class was in the same predicament. Long story short I joined the United States Air Force. It was a start that would point me in the right direction and secure a path for my future. I served for 4 years and was Honorably discharged in 2006. Shortly after I became a Financial Service Rep. for Flagstar Bank. Where I also became a Licensed Banker and Certified Lender. Still, I had not found that “thing”. I was introduced to Property Management 7 years later where I worked my way up from Leasing Agent to Property Manager, and then Regional Property Manager with LR Management. This is the “thing” I was looking for… until it wasn’t. My body eventually started working against me and I inevitably lost my career. Forced into a position I had never been in before. I lost myself. Where do I go from here?

Then I found “it”! That THING! I picked up a piece of wood and since then have created hundreds of unique pieces. One-of-a-kind pieces. The knowledge, I’ve gained during these past couple of years has taken me to higher limits. My imagination now has no limit. I’m confident enough now to intertwine my ideas and the customers to create the piece they’re looking for. Whether it’s a sign for your home or a table for your patio. I am up for the challenge. Each piece is meticulously hand crafted and constructed.

I have no desire to be a huge empire. It is solely run and operated by me, Crystal Downing. This started as a therapeutic tool. It simply brings me happiness. If others get to share that happiness by simply owning one of my pieces, well, that’s just icing on the cake.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Boujee’s Biscuits and Barkery hosted a fundraiser event in August of 2025. It was an outside event. The weather was gorgeous, bright and sunny with an occasional gust of wind. Nothing to be too concerned about, at least I thought so. A few hours had passed, and the event was going quite well. Then suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew my tent backwards into the yard behind me, knocking over a 4-tier shelf and table which destroyed 80% of my work. I wanted to quit. The event prior to this one was a bust. No costumers. For 3 months I gave up. Thought to myself, “I can’t do this anymore”. Its challenging running a business on your own. Collecting wood, sanding, sawing, staining, painting, creating. Hauling those heavy totes back and forth event after event. Listing items, promoting, advertising. All things that I loved doing. Of course, there were other setbacks prior to this catastrophe but, nothing I couldn’t handle. I took a pause for a few months. Sat back and thought about the things I could do differently.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

When I got started I had very little knowledge on how to use all the necessary power tools. Router? What is that? Through my own research and the help and guidance of a few close friends, I gained the basic knowledge on how to operate and use each tool efficiently. Day by day. Growing with experience and confidence. I will admit that most things were trial and error, The most important thing I learned was not to rush my vision. I had a tendency to hurry the process and take shortcuts and well, that never ends well for anyone. I still have a lot to learn and can’t wait to know what I don’t know.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TruSawdust
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tru sawdust
• Other: trusawdust@gmail.com