Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts

08/23/2026

🦉✨ A Calendar That’s Built to Last! ✨🦉

This one was a fun project to bring to life on the laser! 🔥🪵

I created this custom perpetual calendar with a nautical/coastal theme, featuring a detailed compass rose, lighthouse, waves, and map-inspired design. Every detail was carefully laser engraved and layered to give it that unique 3D look.

The best part? No batteries, no electronics, and no replacing it every year! Simply adjust the month and date, and it’s ready to go year after year. 📅

Projects like this are exactly why I love what I do at Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts—taking a piece of wood and turning it into something functional, unique, and built to be enjoyed for years to come.

🔥 Laser engraved. Handmade. Built to last.

What do you think of this one?

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

🚤 35 Custom Wood Challenge Coins — COMPLETE! 🚤

We’re excited to officially wrap up this special project for the Camden County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division!

A total of 35 custom wood challenge coins were laser engraved, carefully finished, and completed with attention to the details that make each piece unique.

From the Marine Division imagery and Sheriff’s vessel to the intricate engraving throughout, this was a fun project to bring to life. Every coin represents the pride, service, and dedication of the men and women who protect and serve their community on the water.

A huge THANK YOU to the Camden County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division for trusting Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts with this project!

35 coins. Custom engraved. Project COMPLETE! 🔥

If you have a challenge coin, department emblem, unit insignia, or special design you’d like turned into a custom wood piece, Give-A-Hoot Woodworks can make it happen!

08/19/2026

🔥 Four Charge Books. One Brotherhood. One Incredible Engraving. ⚓️

We had the honor of creating this custom engraving for four Navy Chief Selects — each receiving their own charge book, with a special twist.

Individually, each book carries its own portion of the design. But when all four books are brought together, the engravings line up to create one complete image. 🇺🇸⚓️

It’s a pretty fitting representation of what becoming a Chief is all about: four individuals, one team, one brotherhood, and a shared commitment to the Chiefs’ Mess.

Every line, detail, and transition had to be carefully engraved so the four separate pieces would come together as one seamless design.

This was definitely a fun project for Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts, and we’re proud to have been able to create something this meaningful for a group of future Navy Chiefs.

Congratulations to the Chief Selects! ⚓️
Anchor’s Aweigh!

If you have a special military retirement, promotion, commissioning, or Chief Select gift in mind, let us create something truly one-of-a-kind.

🇺🇸 Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts
Custom craftsmanship. Meaningful memories. Made to last.

08/05/2026

🐾 Another custom project completed for a very special customer! 🪵

This custom dog kennel name board was created for a handsome pup named Winston. Made from beautiful maple, the design features a detailed 3D laser-engraved portrait that captures Winston’s personality and makes for a unique addition to his kennel.

To create this piece, I:
✨ Laser engraved the portrait on my xTool S1 to achieve the detailed 3D effect.
✨ Sanded the maple with 320-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.
✨ Wiped the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining dust and residue.
✨ Applied a coat of beeswax paste to seal the wood and enhance the natural beauty of the maple grain.

It’s always an honor to create custom pieces that are both meaningful and built to last. Seeing projects like this come together is why I love what I do.

If you’re looking for a personalized dog kennel name board, pet portrait, or custom laser-engraved gift, I’d love to help bring your idea to life!

Thank you for supporting Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts!

08/02/2026

Another productive weekend in the shop! I kicked this project off on Friday, and it’s coming together nicely.

The carcasses for the two under-bench storage cabinets are now built, primed, and ready for the next stage. I also finished building the cabinet carcass that will house my DeWalt 13” planer, helping create a more organized, efficient workspace.

Every project like this gets me one step closer to a shop that’s built for productivity and quality craftsmanship. Looking forward to getting the drawers, doors, and final assembly completed soon!

Thanks for following along on the journey as I continue improving the Give-A-Hoot Woodworks shop!

07/26/2026

Another step closer to completion! ⚓️

The final finish has been applied to this custom wooden plaque using beeswax paste, bringing out the beautiful natural grain of the wood while adding a warm, rich finish that really makes the engraving stand out.

One of the special details of this piece is the wooden trident, featuring a beautifully engraved Chief’s Anchor—a meaningful symbol that adds an extra personal touch to this retirement tribute.

We’re down to the final steps now: wrapping the trident’s handle with paracord and putting the finishing touches on this one-of-a-kind piece.

It’s always rewarding to watch a project like this come together from raw wood to a finished keepsake that honors a career and a lifetime of service. ⚓️🇺🇸

07/26/2026

My wife’s classroom cabinet was missing shelves, so I decided to build two! 🛠️🪵

The cabinet needed a couple large shelves, but I didn’t have a single board wide enough for the job. So I took two 11.5-inch boards and joined them together using my Kreg MortiseMate Loose Tenon Jig and wood glue. After carefully aligning everything, clamping it up, and letting the glue do its thing, I ended up with two large shelf ready for the cabinet.

A little creativity, the right tools, and some time in the workshop can go a long way! Hopefully, this gives my wife some much-needed extra storage space in her classroom. 📚✏️

ShopTime Handmade DadProjects

07/23/2026

Progress Update: The Trident is Taking Shape! 🔱

After a lot of careful shaping, sanding, and refining, the poplar trident is finally formed and ready for the next step. Every curve, point, and transition has been hand-shaped to create a clean, balanced design worthy of this custom military departure gift.

Before engraving the finished piece, I took a scrap piece of the same poplar over to the laser to dial in the engraving settings. Testing on scrap first helps ensure the artwork comes out crisp, clean, and with the perfect depth before making the final mark on the project.

It’s always exciting to see a design go from a simple board to something that will become a meaningful keepsake honoring someone’s service.

Stay tuned—the engraving is next, and that’s when this piece really starts to come to life.

🔱 Veteran Owned
🦉 Give-A-Hoot Woodworks & Crafts
Crafted with precision. Built to be remembered.

07/20/2026

From a simple board to a piece worthy of honoring a career.

Today’s step was all about the details. After milling the poplar to final dimensions, it was time to head over to the router table. Using a 45° chamfer bit, I carefully eased all four edges to create a clean, beveled profile that instantly transforms a plain board into a professional-looking plaque.

It’s amazing how one simple router pass can completely change the look of a project. The crisp bevel adds depth, elegance, and gives the finished piece a timeless appearance before any engraving or finish is applied.

Every step in the process matters, and taking the time to get these details right is what makes a custom military retirement gift something truly special.

Next up: sanding, engraving, and bringing this plaque to life.