Bob — Cedar Cribbage Board

This piece began as a thank-you and became something much more.

Bob — Cedar Cribbage Board

Bob’s board was my first. At the time, I had just started experimenting with cribbage designs—taking a basic template I found on Etsy and slowly reshaping it into something that felt like my own. I didn’t know it then, but that small act of tinkering would end up defining the direction of my work.

Bob is one of those rare people who quietly goes above and beyond. While I’m away on long shifts as a paramedic, he helps take care of my dogs—and he does it with genuine care, reliability, and kindness. He’s the type who never asks for a penny more, never makes a fuss, and never expects anything in return.

When I offered to make him something as a thank-you, he didn’t hesitate. Instead of keeping it for himself, he suggested gifting it to his future son-in-law at a bachelor party. That simple, generous idea became the spark that launched the build.

I chose cedar for the board—warm, forgiving, and full of character. The layout was refined by hand, the engraving dialed in slowly, and the finish built up with care. I added personal touches, adjusted proportions, and learned firsthand how much difference the smallest details could make. Every mistake taught me something. Every adjustment pushed the design closer to what it wanted to be.

That board didn’t just celebrate a milestone for someone else—it marked the beginning of mine. It was the first time I saw how woodworking could carry meaning beyond the object itself. How a gift could tell a story. How a piece made with intention could connect people.

Everything that came after—every cribbage board, box, and custom build—traces back to this one.

Bob’s board started it all.