Mike Blackard a.k.a. The Wood Butcher
Hard at work on the scroll saw.

**Thirty Years Of Making Sawdust**

Making something out of a piece of wood means a lot to me and comes easily for me. I love to show other people what I can do. I try to make you a quality product for a fair price and give you the best service I can...

It seems like I have been working with wood all of my life. I can remember watching my Dad build a rabbit hutch in the back yard when I was 6 or 7 years old. He didn't use any plans or drawings: only what what was in his head. The hutch went together, and held quite a few rabbits for a long time. Maybe something started back then... Both of my Grandfathers were carpenters, and I think some of that rubbed off on me.

After high school I attended college for a year, then I switched to a Vo-Tech school to study carpentry, cabinetmaking and bricklaying. I entered the job market when construction was in a slump. After several years of different jobs, I started to buy a few tools and started making sawdust.

I began my woodworking "career" making Christmas presents for my family and friends. I then started going to a few craft shows. I tried to make a living off of wood for a couple of years, but I had to go get a "real" job to pay the bills. During this time in my life I met my wife and things really started to look up.

Since our marriage, I am now able to devote 100% of my time to my wood crafts. We went to about a dozen smaller craft shows in the Fall of 1998. We sell our crafts in two craft malls, have crafts on consignment in several shops, and we just ventured into the computer world.

This web site became a reality December 31, 1998. Since then, I have been busy with internet orders from all over the USA and the world.

Due to a busy internet business, we bought a building for my shop and just opened up a store in the front part. If you are ever near Beaver, OK- stop by. It is on Main steet. The name of my "dream shop" is The Wood Butcher Shoppe.