We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Foreman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’ve always had a passion for woodworking and a dream of turning it in to business. Furthermore, I wanted to bring my creations to life but lacked the necessary equipment to do so. This changed when the pandemic hit and I was suddenly faced with the reality of having more free time on my hands. I had also just moved 100 miles from my hometown in Duncan, OK for work and luckily my new home afforded me more space.

On one of our trips home to see family, my father-in-Law, Jack, showed me a project he was working on in his shop. It was a birdhouse made to look like a face with a beard. Jack had been making these for family and friends and expressed to me how much time and work went in to each one. There was a demand for these birdhouses but the means of productions was slow and tedious. This got my wheels turning and I proposed the idea of a machine that could do the tedious work while leaving the creative and finishing touches to him.

While browsing online, I came across an advertisement for a CNC (computer numerical control) machine made by BobsCNC. I was fascinated by the possibilities this machine offered, and after some research, decided to take the plunge and buy one. Despite the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, I saw this as an opportunity to invest in our future and build a small business from it.

The CNC machine arrived at my doorstep a few weeks later. The machine I chose, a BobsCNC KL744, comes as a kit that you assemble. After a few long nights and a weekend in the shop the machine came to life. I spent hours upon hours learning how to use it. I was determined to master the machine and bring my ideas to life. I started small, creating intricate wooden objects for friends and family. And finally, was able to create the first prototype of the birdhouse.

From this initial idea, business grew, and I invested in additional equipment. Needing an outlet to sell the items I was making I joined as a vendor at the Edmond, OK Farmer’s Market and began touring Oklahoma at craft shows and events. By the time I got ready to start selling at events, my wife Bonnie had also started her own business making wreaths and bows.

The pandemic had its challenges, but it also gave me, and my wife, the time and space needed to turn our passions into a growing business. With the CNC machine at the heart of our operation, we were able to bring this vision to life and offer beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Anthony Foreman. My beautiful wife Bonnie and I have three children Beni (18), Asa (7), and Phil (5). I grew up in Duncan, OK, where I lived from 1989 until 2020 when we moved to Arcadia, OK. I graduated from Comanche Highschool in Comanche, OK and attended Cameron University in Lawton, OK. While in Duncan I had the extreme privilege to own and operate a successful graphic design company until 2010 when I transitioned careers to Information Technology. From 2007 until 2016 My family and I operated the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan.

My love for arts comes from my family. My paternal great grandfather was a builder, carpenter, and farmer. My paternal grandmother was an amazing painter. My maternal grandfather was a master plumber as well as a builder/maker. My uncle works with glass and mirrors as well as makes and designs all kinds of cool things. My parents are both very creative individuals that have been very supportive of my endeavors. My dad attended the University of Oklahoma where he studied stage craft, he also introduced me to computers and digital art. My mom is a multitalented crafter. You can easily say that I am influenced by a multitude of artistic people in many different mediums.

I think I’ve been interested in woodworking since I was very young, it just wasn’t something I could do on my own until I was much older. I dabbled with the artform much of my adolescence doing all kinds of projects. My dad and I did a lot of projects together from skateboard ramps to Halloween decorations to props and sets for Duncan Little Theatre and the Trail Dance Film Festival. When my job relocated me to Arcadia in 2020, I was blessed with space I could setup my tools and add a few new ones to explore my woodworking once again.

My interest in graphic design, computer illustration, and technology led me to Computer Numerical Controlled {CNC} woodworking. With CNC I can precisely carve and cut my computer art into various types of wood, acrylic, and more. This technology has allowed me to prototype products, create signs, and even make some neat projects to sell.

I enjoy making something tangible. A lot of times, the art I create stays within the computer screen so being able hold something and see it from every angle is very exciting. Woodwork is often a solo activity, so it gives me an outlet to unwind and relieve stress. I love the challenge of making things and solving the problems along the way. Woodworking has all kinds of benefits for entertainment as well as being practical. It is exciting, dangerous, challenging, and ultimately rewarding.

I love and am proud of the fact that I can create pieces of art, many times functional, from just an idea. I can take raw materials and make something unique for your business or your home. I’ve made signs, cabinets, display shelves, boxes, home decor, birdhouses, seasonal decor, and more. I’ve made useful things and things just because.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Supporting makers, creatives, and hand-made businesses is essential for both personal and economic growth. These individuals possess unique talents and skills that can contribute to the economy and improve their own lives through the sale of their creations.

When people are able to earn money doing what they love, it not only provides them with financial stability but also a sense of fulfillment and purpose. They are able to turn their passions into a career and make a living from their creativity. This can lead to increased self-esteem and a better quality of life, especially if they are able to pursue their passions full-time.

Supporting hand-made businesses also helps to keep traditional crafts and techniques alive, preserving the cultural heritage of a community. These makers offer unique and personalized products that can often not be found in large retail stores, adding diversity and character to the market.

The maker community often source their materials locally, helping to stimulate the local economy and create jobs in their community. By purchasing hand-made products, consumers are not only supporting the individual creator but also the local suppliers and service providers who support these businesses.

Buying local and supporting makers, creatives, and hand-made businesses is a way to invest in people and communities, promoting personal and economic growth. By giving people a way to earn money with their talents

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewording aspect of what I do is creating something tangible from an idea and earning a living from it. It is the realization of a dream and the culmination of hard work and passion. When you can turn your ideas into a tangible product, and see your imagination come to life and share it with the world, the feeling is indescribable.

There is a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with creating something unique and valuable. The process of turning an idea into a physical product involves problem-solving, experimentation, and a willingness to learn and grow. And you must be willing to fail and learn from those failures. When that process results in a successful creation, it is a powerful feeling of satisfaction.

This process opens new possibilities and provides room for financial growth. The ability to turn a passion into a career or successful side-hustle and make a living doing what you love is a gift. This not only improves quality of life, but also allows you to have a positive impact on the world through your work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.punchintreeswoodshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punchintrees/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/punchintrees
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/punchintrees