We’re about to launch a new Online Store and I’m pretty excited about it. It should make ordering and receiving some of our more common pieces- FAST! Glacial Wood Products specializes in custom wood turnings, but some of our clients have repeatedly ordered similar sized components for their furniture, cabinet and building projects. To answer that need, I’ve worked to create an online store that features table legs, posts, appliqués, bun feet, corner guards and half round moulding. Later this year, we’ll have some fun and add novelty items like wood plates, mini baseball bats and magic “Potter” wands. I’ll also use the online store to move some excess lumber and equipment.

This is a big step for me and my team. At Glacial Wood we pride ourselves in creating exactly what our clients want… and we’re able to make those components in over 30 wood species. We are not going to stop doing that- Custom work is our bread and butter and it’s what I love to do. The online store is being built to offer convenience. Online shoppers will be able to choose from four wood species in a handful of sizes. The components in the online store will be shipped within 5 business days of making the order. Our online shoppers will also be able to use PayPal for billing. Look for the Glacial Wood Products online store to open in March. You’ll be able to get to it by going to our website, glacialwood.com.

It’s been pretty snowy in the Glacial Ridge region of Central Minnesota this week. I had a hard time getting into the shop the other day because of the weather. To make matters worse, my office manager, Jeni, took off for a warmer climate and didn’t bring back much sunshine as a souvenir for me. I’ve been thinking of sunnier days and fun… like boating on Minnesota’s beautiful lakes. Here’s a nice shot of from one of our clients, Burger Boats. We did some work for their beautiful boats. Hope it brings you warm, sunny thoughts during this snowy time of year-

Dick
www.glacialwood.com

BROOTEN, MN-As the Wood Industry attempts to emerge from one of the worst recessions in decades, Glacial Wood Products is finding ways for clients to save money in 2010. One key way for wood professionals to save is to focus on restoration and renovation projects. Many consumers and contractors alike are exploring renewing existing cabinetry, stairways and furniture.  Whether it’s replacing damaged wood pieces or creating new elements, Glacial Wood Products supports those efforts with the ability to replicate any existing wood turning.

“Our clients trust Glacial Wood Products to support their renovation and restoration projects. The Glacial Wood Products team can copy any wood turning- All we really need is a picture and the specifications and we can do it,” says Dick Johnson, President and Founder of Glacial Wood Products.

Glacial Wood Products also supports efforts to refresh existing spaces in homes and businesses. It isn’t always necessary to pull out an entire staircase of balusters or a wall of kitchen cabinetry. Glacial Wood Products can work with companies to find new ways to incorporate newel posts, appliqués and finials to create a new look in an older design. 

“It’s not only cost effective to update a cabinet or staircase that’s already in place, it can also be good for the environment. We support “green” efforts and can help our clients use existing design elements to shape a project,” Johnson says. “We’re able to save wood but focusing on what’s already in place, before adding something new.”

Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified. Glacial is also a member of True North Woods, an organization that works to promote Minnesota produced forest-based products.
The Glacial Wood Products drafting and design team uses 20-20 CAD design software to help cabinet makers and other wood professionals place wood turnings into their plans. Glacial’s skilled team is trained to find the best use for wood turnings and assist cabinet designers and architects with their plans.

About Glacial Wood Products
Glacial Wood Products is the largest custom wood turning facility in the country. Custom balusters, newel posts, table legs, knobs, pulls, handles, bun feet, and decorative columns are all made in Glacial’s Brooten, Minnesota facility. GWP manufactures the highest quality wood turnings for all types of industries using the latest technology, insuring lasting, durable and beautifully crafted parts. Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified and creates sustainable wood components for clients all over the world.

Inspiration can come from anywhere
Inspiration for a wood turning can come from almost anywhere, even an old trash heap. While digging around on my farm near Brooten, I uncovered dozens of old bottles. As I wiped the dirt away, I could see the old imprints of medicine and tonics that past residents on my land used. The bottles were round and delicate, yet sturdy enough to survive decades buried in the ground.

I brought the bottles into Glacial. We set up the lathes and created some wooden replicas of the bottles. I even sold some to craftspeople. They became pretty pieces of painted folk art. Now the market for wooden bottles has slowed, but I’ve heard there is a small comeback. Somebody saw some decorative ones on the Today Show.
My own wood bottles now sit with some of the original glass bottles next to our wooden plates, magic wands, mini baseball bats and other novelty items. We use them to show clients that we can create or re-create just about anything they have in mind. I like to have the bottles around as a reminder, inspiration can come from anywhere.
Mistakes aren’t always bad
We have a new style of post we’re showing off in the Glacial Wood Products sample room. Our office manager, Jeni, calls it the “Waffle,” I think it sort of looks like a “Pineapple.” While turning a 3 inch by 34.5 maple post, we crisscrossed some of the lines. Instead of the reeding we were looking for, it came out in a woven pattern. We’re still looking at it, studying how it was done. It looks like a something colonial, with a tropical influence.
Featured Product: Reclaimed Wood Tables
Glacial Wood Products has FSC certification. While we do use domestic, sustainable wood in our facility, there are other steps we take to be conscious about the lumber we use and its impact on our planet. We are working with a client called Red Barn Reclaimed out of Edina, Minnesota. Our team built amazing dining, bedside and side tables for Red Barn using reclaimed wood. It’s beautiful. Check out their website at www.redbarnreclaimed.com.
-Dick

BROOTEN, MN- Glacial Wood Products is a featured exhibitor at the AIA Minnesota Convention and Product Expo November 10, 11 and 12, 2009 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. GWP is proud to share efforts in creating sustainable, cost effective wood components. Architects from Minneapolis, St. Paul and across Minnesota will meet Glacial Wood staff and craftsmen to learn about sustainable practices in the wood turning industry.

Glacial Wood Products will exhibit with True North Woods, an association that promotes Minnesota based forest products. True North Woods is made up of manufacturers, builders and suppliers who follow practices to best protect Minnesota’s forests and wood species. Members of True North Woods are suppliers of FSC certified products. Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified, which means it uses wood from sustainably managed forests. GWP’s craftsmen use innovative processes that include using FSC certified sustainable wood species for stair components table legs, knobs, pulls, handles, bun feet, decorative columns, or posts.

“Sustainability is an important part of our business” said Dick Johnson, President of Glacial Wood Products. “What started as a trend on the East and West Coasts, now plays a key role in building projects across the United States. As the country’s largest custom wood turning company, it’s important for Glacial to be a leader in sustainability.”

Glacial Wood Products also works with reclaimed wood products to create furniture components and stair parts. GWP’s design and drafting team work with clients to find the best uses and techniques to feature reclaimed lumber.

Glacial Wood Products will be at the AIA Minnesota Convention and Product Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Look for GWP at Booth 523 with True North Woods. The Expo begins at 4:30pm on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. The Expo will be open Wednesday, November 11 from 11:15-2:30pm and Thursday, November 12 from 11:30-2:00pm.

ABOUT GWP

Glacial Wood Products is the largest custom wood turning facility in the country. Custom balusters, newel posts, table legs, knobs, pulls, handles, bun feet, and decorative columns are all made in Glacial’s Brooten, Minnesota facility. GWP manufactures the highest quality wood turnings for all types of industries using the latest technology, insuring lasting, durable and beautifully crafted parts. Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified and creates sustainable wood components for clients all over the world. Look for our new stock product line of stair parts and other wood components in November 2009 on glacialwood.com.

by: Dick Johnson, President – Glacial Wood Products