We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Shirey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Kelly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I stumbled upon the scroll saw at a time it was relatively unknown. There wasn’t a large community to be found on social media and I didn’t know anyone in my area that used one, so I took to youtube! I found some basic information on how to use a scroll saw there as well as some patterns to start learning different types of lines/curves. Knowing the scroll saw inside and out has allowed me to create so much, but it’s also been critical to learn other tools like the table saw and miter saw!
If I could change anything to have allowed myself to speed up my learning process it would be to find my community sooner. I’m not sure the community was actually “there to find” when I first started, most of my closest scroll saw friends started right around the same time I did. However, they have been the biggest part of my learning process since that initial year. We help each other through everything: sharing new techniques, sign disasters, customer relations, everything! There’s nothing like having someone completely understand what you do especially in a niche field like this.
The biggest obstacle for me is best summed up with the phrase “you don’t know what you don’t know”. When it came to woodworking, I didn’t even know what to ask. Luckily, I met a local woodworker through a sign that was made for his son and he has helped me learn so much! I’m now able to anticipate issues and have an idea of what obstacles I might run into, although my process and skills are ever evolving. It seems that with each sign I learn more and try to add in new features. When I have no idea where to start with a technique, I have a whole community of people willing to share information and get me on the right track.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I create 3d custom signs and offer a wide variety of products. From newborn footprints and handwriting signs to custom nursery signs and logos. My business started after our daughter, Eden, was stillborn in 2017. I stumbled upon a sign showing 3d newborn footprints and fell in love with that idea. They were cut to scale and something about being able to feel the size of the prints was so powerful to me. Well I kept trying for a year to get in one of the “restocks” and purchase this product but never snagged one! I finally said to my husband: “Hey, I think we could figure out how to make this”. I didn’t even know what the machine was called that was used to do it (it’s the scroll saw!) but after countless hours on the internet I was able to find the information I needed to get started.
The business has evolved SO MUCH since then but I’ll always offer those initial product types. I’ve gone from what I think is “crafting” to actually woodworking. It’s like this whole world and future that I never saw for myself but I LOVE the way it challenges me. I love working with my hands, creating, and learning in this field. Learning everything is one of the biggest struggles with this type of work for me because it is all so foreign. I’ve been SO lucky to have the right people come into my life though and help me learn. I’ve added a jointer and planer into my tool arsenal this year and hopefully an upgraded table saw by the end of the year. It’s the ability to use and know about things like this that will set this business apart as more people discover the scroll saw! Simple things like rabbiting and mitering a frame vs simply nailing it into the side creates a higher quality, longer lasting product! I’ve also spent so many hours on my scroll saw that it has become second nature to me. It’s still the most fun part of the process for me and despite it getting easier and easier, I try to find ways to complicate my cuts and add more interest into my signs.
I am most proud of the quality product that is created. It’s all the attention to detail that I give each sign, from clean scroll work and tight miters to quality paint jobs and high-end wood finishes. I want the products I create to be heirloom quality and an investment for my clients that is completely worth it!
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Community!! I’m not sure the community was actually “there to find” when I first started, most of my closest scroll saw friends started right around the same time I did. However, they have been the biggest part of my learning process since that initial year. We help each other through everything: sharing new techniques, sign disasters, customer relations, everything! There’s nothing like having someone completely understand what you do especially in a niche field like this.
When I first started the phrase “you don’t know what you don’t know” couldn’t ring more true. When it came to woodworking, I didn’t even know what to ask. I learned so much on youtube, but even that information was difficult to find. I managed to get my business started but it didn’t really take off until I found my community. Through this I have learned so much. I’m now able to anticipate issues and have an idea of what obstacles I might run into, although my process and skills are ever evolving. It seems that with each sign I learn more and try to add in new features, constantly leveling up my work. When I have no idea where to start with a technique, I have a whole community of people willing to share information and get me on the right track.
I’m often asked why I freely share tips and tricks for others making signs on my page. Don’t I want to keep that information to myself? Why help the competition? But to me, no one is competition. I can’t make all the signs for everyone and there is enough demand to go around! Also, the scroll saw has been such a positive impact on my life and if I can help just one other person find the joy in it then I do, I’m happy! I’m so thankful for the woodworkers that have helped me and I only hope to give that back to others!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I currently work in retail and through my years there I have missed get togethers, children’s events, and just nights with my family in a field that I don’t fully love and lack passion/excitement. Since discovering the scroll saw and turning this into a business, I have begun to see a different path for myself. The idea of working from home and doing something I love has taken hold of me and that is the goal for my business! My hope is that when my children are school age and I have more time while they are at school I can take this business full time! I love the idea of seeing my kids off to school in the morning, working the day in my garage, and being there to greet them when they come home. The idea of not missing their events or family get togethers because I have to work. I know that I will probably work 10x more and harder with my own business, but it will be on my time and it will be doing something I love!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopedenwoodcrafts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eden_woodcrafts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenwoodcrafts