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Gib Coalwell began woodworking as a hobby, something he enjoyed doing.

But in recent years, the Loveland man has turned it into a full-time business with himself, his wife, one other full-time employee and three part-time helpers including their daughter.

Wordsmith Wood Shop makes exquisite cutting boards, chess boards, magnets, boxes, bookmarks and even custom recipe cards. They sell his creations online through the website wordsmithwoodshop.com, at some stores including Hudson Booksellers at Denver International Airport and to other clients.

And while it has become a successful business venture, Coalwell — who spent 25 years in manufacturing before as he says “pursuing my creative side” — still loves getting creative with what he can craft. And with decades of skill, his work reflects the quality of a true craftsman.

But Coalwell says the business is not just about his woodworking background but also about the skills everyone involved brings to the table from marketing to business acumen to creative vision.

“I am in no way saying this is what I do,” he said in his shop across from Pinewood Reservoir west of Loveland. “This is what we do.”

Armed with creativity, a cadre of tools including a table saw, band saw, router, tape measure, drill press, sander and “lots and lots of clamps,” Coalwell also uses patience, muscle memory and mathematical understanding to create his signature boxes, boards and other goods.

“You have to have a vision; see things in 3D,” he said.

1. How did you get into woodworking? Who taught you and how long does it take to hone your skills? How does one learn the craft?

I needed a gift for a girlfriend in high school, and my dad taught me how to build a simple wooden box. I made it from free apple crate wood from the grocery store. My dad introduced me, but the rest was self-taught.  As far as time, it takes lots of practice. Even after doing it for 20 years, I find improvement in repetition.  The more I do it, the better it gets.

Traditionally, lots of people learn the craft through an apprenticeship, and taking classes in high school and college.  I’m self-taught; I read books, watch YouTube videos, and ask a lot of questions of other woodworkers.

As for the business side, 20 years ago, a friend who turned bowls for a living said “Sure, you can make a business of making jewelry boxes.” Twenty years later, with LOTS of help from the Small Business Development Center (especially from Jon, a consultant who has guided us for the past three years), and very patient accountant/tax advisor, and a local “cheerleader” banker, it’s a real business with real goals and real headaches!

2. What is the biggest challenge in creating something from wood? What is the greatest joy out of the process? 

(Challenge) Getting the customer’s vision right.  I want to make something that people treasure, that they want to keep forever and pass on to their heirs; something that outlives me. (Joy) Creating something that is different from things that everybody else creates.  Finding uniqueness in ordinary, common colors, textures and materials. I’m happiest when I apply the first coat of finish, the color jumps and the brilliance of the wood comes through.  All the sanding becomes worth it, and the beauty shines through …

You didn’t ask me my least favorite job. Vacuuming.

3. What are some products in which you specialize?

Jewelry boxes, cutting boards, game boards. We also make products that are easily reproduced so we can sell to the wholesale marketplace.  We have laser-engraving machines we use to produce bookmarks, magnets, recipe cards, coasters, and ornaments for retailers with custom artwork and logos.  The retailers range from small local shops in Loveland, Fort Collins, Longmont and Estes Park, to large destination-markets in Waco, Texas and Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  We even have our wares in DIA!  My wife and I are part of a team of six people to get all that done, including our daughter and three close friends!

4. What are your favorite creations and why? And what is the most unique?

Chess boards are probably my favorite.  It’s a traditional product that has been around for thousands of years and there’s still a need, albeit small. People that want or buy or pursue a chess board are happy with the product I make. It’s traditional and functional that they don’t want to put in the closet; they want to put it out on the table for display.

I guess the flared, fingerjointed jewelry box (is the most unique). I’ve not seen anybody else do one like that.  All my boxes have fingerjoints; that’s what makes my products different. The fingerjoints take more time, but they are worth the effort.   I started with a traditional square box, some with lift lids, others with hinged lids, and then I started asking, “How could I do it different?”  I started curving the faces (all four sides) of the box, and created what I call a “modern” box with an oval shape. Then, I thought, if I can curve it on the horizontal surfaces, why can’t I curve the vertical edges?  Now I get a fingerjoint that goes from small to large to small again, and changes the appearance greatly. (A fingerjoint is a method of fitting the pieces together without nails.)

5. Are there different specialties within the woodworking craft? Are some types of wood more difficult to use than others?

Sure!  Some people enjoy turning wood, some people pursue marquetry, some people make furniture, some people do outdoor benches and pieces. Some woods are much harder and don’t cut as well, like maple and purpleheart, but I use them a lot!  Some woods don’t sand well, and don’t finish well, like oak.  Cottonwood, which we have around here a lot, stinks when you sand it; it’s soft, and it mars and doesn’t finish well.

I don’t use crazy-expensive woods like teak and wenge. The exotics are harder to work with, and the end result would be a very expensive piece.  The goal isn’t to make crazy expensive pieces no one can afford; the goal is to make pieces people love and they can afford to take home.

Bonus: You and your wife, Lisa, are renovating a historic schoolhouse by Pinewood Reservoir. What is the history of the schoolhouse and how did the project come about?

It was built in 1919 as the third schoolhouse in Rattlesnake Park.  It was used as a one-room schoolhouse until the late 1950s. It was converted into a private residence in the early 1970s, and used as a home until 2010.  Its future is looking bright as a letterpress studio.

In 2010, the old schoolhouse near (Pinewood) reservoir was for sale, and the listing said it was of no value and needed to be scraped. My wife was a teacher, and certainly couldn’t let that happen.  No old schoolhouse needs to be torn down. Once a schoolhouse, always a schoolhouse. …

We feel really blessed. The idea is the schoolhouse is Lisa’s letterpress studio … She’s tinkering with cards. She’s tinkering with inserts to go inside cards. She’s printing quotes. She’s making paper. She wants to donate 100% of what she makes. Last year, she donated $170 to three different charities. Her goal this year is $1,000 for each of them. (Her products, mostly printed on a 1940s pedal-powered press, are sold now at shlp.etsy.com and soon she will have the website schoolhouseletterpress.com)

Business name: Wordsmith Wood Shop

Is there someone you’d like to know more about? Nominations for the Five Questions feature can be sent to news@reporter-herald.com.

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