Hardwood to Memories - We're Crafting Products Meant to Be Used
Our Crafting Process
Every piece that leaves our shop starts with a simple belief: wood products should be built to be used, not just admired. From the first board selection to the final buff, we take a careful, hands-on approach to every step of the process. We choose quality materials, allow proper cure times, and finish each piece for real-world performance in kitchens, homes, and gathering spaces. What follows is the path we use to turn raw hardwood into something meant to serve — and last.
From Request to Ready — Our Build Process
Every All*En Crafts™ board is built through a deliberate, hands-on process. We don’t rush wood, and we don’t skip steps. Here’s what happens in the shop:
1. Board Design Request
It starts with the customer. We gather the intended use, preferred size, wood species, and any custom requests so the board is built for how it will actually be used.
2. Source the Raw Materials
We carefully select hardwoods for grain, stability, and food-safe performance.
Food-safe epoxy is used only when absolutely necessary to stabilize natural imperfections — never as a shortcut.
3. Epoxy Cure (48 Hours)
If epoxy stabilization is required, the board rests a full 48 hours to ensure a complete, stable cure before moving forward.
4. Layout & Glue-Up → Clamp, Clamp, Clamp
Boards are dry-fit for grain flow and strength, then glued using Titebond III and clamped firmly and evenly. Proper pressure here is what creates long-lasting joints.
5. Glue Cure (24 Hours)
After glue-up, panels rest 24 hours to fully cure. Wood moves — patience matters.
6. Cut to Final Dimensions
The cured panel is milled and trimmed to its working size.
7. Flatten & Shape
Boards are flattened for a true working surface.
Charcuterie boards are cut to their final decorative shape
Surfaces are sanded through 40 → 80 → 120 → 150 grit
Each board is branded with the All*En Crafts™ mark
8. Juice Groove (Carving Boards Only)
For carving boards, the juice groove is precisely cut on one face only — giving customers flexibility in how they use the board.
9. Optional Stenciling
If requested, custom stencil work is applied.
Boards are then finish-sanded to 220 grit for a smooth, touch-friendly surface.
10. Oil — First Coat
The first coat of food-safe mineral oil penetrates deep into the wood fibers.
11. Oil — Second Coat
A second coat ensures full saturation and long-term moisture protection.
12. Wax Application
Our conditioning blend is applied to help seal the surface and enhance the wood’s natural character.
13. Buff It Out
Each board is hand-buffed to a soft, natural sheen — never plastic-looking, never overdone.
14. Deliver a Quality Hardwood Memory
What leaves the shop isn’t just a board — it’s a piece built to be used, enjoyed, and passed around the table for years to come.
All*En Crafts™ — handcrafted quality, made to be used.
