Woodworking has been part of Alan’s journey most of his life.  In some ways it was an artistic outlet to being an engineer during the day.  Alan started learning woodworking as a teenager at his father’s side as he built cabinets and renovated a 120-year-old farmhouse.  Once on a Christmas visit home to Nova Scotia he built a butcher-block cart in his Dad’s shop, and it came back as checked luggage to be assembled and finished in Northern Ontario.  Living in apartments did not stop Alan from accumulating tools and working on small projects, he did have to find borrowed space when the table saw came around. For the last 35 years basement woodworking shops has been his refuge.  He still dreams of a shop out back!

In 2007 Wood Eye Creations was born out of necessity.  Our family had used and given as gifts breadsaws for over 40 years, and then we could no longer get them!  Alan was challenged to fill the gap, after all he does woodworking! It was his first product. Small hardwood pieces that were too small for cabinets, yet too nice to burn accumulated in both sheds.  A desire for unique wedding presents started him down the path of cutting boards!  The family of cutting boards has grown and evolved into many sizes and styles.

Alan retired from his day job in 2016 and Wood Eye Creations became his new full time job.  Alan lives outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia and spends as much of the summer as he can by the ocean in Pictou County.  His shop has taken over more of the basement with wood storage spread over three sheds.

If Wood Eye Creations had a motto it would be “Make it Fun and Functional”.  If he does not have fun making it, it does not happen!  Why can’t an item have a purpose and be functional, and still be fun?  When you pick up an item it should feel good to touch.  This year’s new addition is the Whale.  It’s a cutting board, a charcuterie board, a presentation board.  The tail is a comfortable handle, and the whale is more and more taking on an impish grin!

He also doesn’t conform to an exact design, each item is unique.  He lets the wood speak to him on how it should be used.  No cookie cutter production.  Hardwood is a precious resource that should not be wasted.  We want his creations to be passed down and still being used for generations to come.  We use Canadian Hardwood to make all the creations which we try to keep to around twenty five designs.  Each one is finished with Beeswax from Nova Scotia.  From the glue we use, the resin accents and the finish it’s all food safe.