Meet Fargo’s Maker: Josh of All Trades

Tell us how you got started with your businesses.

Although I really just started my business last year, I’ve been working with my lathe for almost 15 years. It all started because my wife bought me a gift card to build a custom fly fishing rod. After doing some research, I realized the most complicated way to build that rod would be to turn my own wood handle. So I bought a used lathe to give it a try.

What are your personal favorite items you’ve created so far?

Several years ago, I collected a cool piece of driftwood from the shores of Lake Superior. I thought it was a really cool piece but had no idea how I was going to use it. After really getting into wood turning, I decided to have it dyed and stabilized and mixed with some epoxy to make some really cool pen blanks. It’s really interesting to see the final piece have little specks of sand and holes from the years spent in the lake.

This year I started creating topographical lake map lights. It’s a fun combination of my love of fishing and 3D printing. I have maps of some of the more popular local lakes now, but I’d love to make some more custom pieces.

What was one of the most difficult pieces you’ve created?

This year, I built a custom rod for a trip to one of my favorite places to fish, the Brule River in Northern Wisconsin. I decided to use a really beautiful piece of flame box elder for the handle. This wood was very soft and difficult to work with. It also had to be stabilized before I could turn it. The handle was too long to fit in one piece so I had to get creative with my build process. It was really fun and rewarding to finish it. Too bad it didn’t catch any fish on my trip!

What is the most popular item you specifically sell?

Right now, I would say my custom lighters and pipes. They’re retro-style refillable trench lighters cased in custom-turned wood or acrylic sleeves. I’ve made them in a lot of color combinations, and they always turn out to be such unique, fun pieces.

What is something you’ve enjoyed the most about doing this handcrafted business?

The challenge. It’s one thing to just go out and make things in the shop, but to keep coming up with fresh ideas and creating has been a lot of fun.

What is the most challenging thing?

Finding ways to create things others aren’t. There are so many talented makers out there it can be hard to stand out.

What is something people might find surprising about working with 3D printing or wood turning or both?

The barrier to entry for both crafts is actually fairly low. If it’s something you’re interested in trying, you can get relatively inexpensive tools and get started. But on the flip side of that, the sky is the limit on how difficult you want to make it!

For 3D printing in particular, there is a lot of problem-solving involved. The newer printers are getting better and better, but if you get into 3D printing, you need to plan to spend quite a bit of time troubleshooting and tinkering with the equipment. Which is the part that makes it fun for me)

What is a word that best describes you?

Curious

What advice would you have given yourself five years ago?

Just jump in and do stuff. Trying new things can be intimidating, but once you get started, it’s not as hard as it seems.

Where can people find your work?

I sell some of my work at Unglued in Brewhalla, I have an Etsy shop (joshofalltradesmn.etsy.com) and I have a Facebook (/joshofalltradesMN) and Instagram (@joshofalltrades218) account where you can contact me about custom orders.