During the winter in 2015, I was a sophomore at West Chester University. As Christmas break crept closer and closer, I knew I had to make a great Christmas gift for my roommate! Planning to make a decent attempt at hand-lettering a bible verse (John 3:30), I drove to my local Target to pick up a cheap canvas. As all Target experiences go for me, I found myself with wandering eyes, bigger than my wallet. I carefully scanned the art aisles as I brainstormed every possible creation I could create. My eyes came to a halt and rested on a little slice of wood and a wood burning tool. Immediately, I knew I had to take on this craft. After purchasing the tools to the best Christmas gift ever and contriving an excuse for my parents as to why I spent $40 on a wooden present for my roommate, I got to work…and I never stopped.

Friends saw my burning and over time the word and the orders spread like fire (pun-intended). Since my first wood burning, I have sold dozens of burnings to friends, family, and even strangers! I grew on social media, and I even have a few wood burnings selling in Cedar Falls, Iowa at The Burrow. I strive to put hard work and attention into every wood burning that I make. If I had to pinpoint what drives me to continue to wood burn for people, I would say that my love for God creates in me a passion to serve people. I believe that we are made in the image of God and because God is our creator, we enjoy creating and we like to enjoy what has been created. My mission for 1229 is to love others through a reminder that they are loved and created by God in a way that is just as unique and personal as a custom, made-to-order piece of wood.