About Me

I've been a creative person as long as I can remember. I’ve always enjoyed woodwork, painting, drawing, and making/doing things on my own. Seriously, I love anything that begins with “DIY”. I am kind of addicted to the whole hands on experience.

In 2013, I began collecting pallets and piling them in my garage with a goal to build an outdoor bar. I built the bar! COLD BEER anyone? After building the bar, I had tons of pallets left over. Then it clicked! “I can use the wood to make All Sorts of Things!” And I did! ...giving pallets a second chance at life!

My Uncle Larry gifted me with a 'hand-me-down' table saw. My garage gradually transformed into a craft room/wood shop. All of the earnings from projects went towards news tools. I later began making pallet wine racks, garden boxes, birdhouses, and custom signs for friends. The custom signs were a big hit! I later expanded and started making custom signs, upon request, for others (e.g. signs with scriptures, family sayings, favorite quotes, etc.). The orders continued to come in. It was great! However, I didn’t have a “brand”.

One day I finally sat down and started writing a bunch of names on paper. The word “RARE” popped into my head and it stuck. I was creating pieces that were RA[r]E. I was making items that were unusually remarkable and not easily found [in stores]! It was an added bonus that my name landed in the word. 

Many value a touch of personalization in gifts. It’s rare to have a unique piece that no one else has. Who doesn’t love a good ol’ conversation piece? 

I’m also on a continued mission to save as many pallets as possible from going into the trash and into our US landfills. It's a Win/Win. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to happily indulge in my hobbies; to challenge my skills; to play a role in repurposing wood for the benefit of our environment; and to create hand-crafted pieces that hit home for others to enjoy!

...and that is why I created RA[r]E.