Whidden’s Woodshop

It all started, as these stories often do, with a bit of sawdust and a stubborn refusal to pay retail prices for furniture. But we’ll get to that.
The Early Days: Sawdust in Our Veins

I come from a long line of makers. My great-grandfather was a carpenter, and my grandfather wasn’t allowed near a hammer after a porch swing mishap in 1952, but he sure could whittle a good-looking duck. Growing up, we didn’t go to summer camp—we had “build-it-yourself” summers. If something was broken, we didn’t call a repairman; we pulled out a toolbox. Sometimes it worked. Other times, we just made a bigger mess and learned new swear words.

It was from this hands-on upbringing that Whidden’s Woodshop was born. The idea was simple: Why not take the skills I’d inherited, add a dash of modern creativity, and make something people could actually use? And thus, my love affair with custom engraved pencils began. Yes, you read that right—engraved pencils.
The Humble Pencil: More Than Just a Writing Instrument

Now, you might be thinking, “Pencils? Really?” But let me tell you, the humble pencil is an underrated hero. When I started tinkering around with engraving machines, I found out that there’s something magical about taking a simple tool—one we all use—and making it personal. I thought, “Hey, why not engrave people’s names, motivational quotes, or even inside jokes on pencils?”

I had a vision of classrooms across America filled with students scribbling away with pencils that said things like “You’ve Got This!” or “This Homework Won’t Do Itself.” And it wasn’t long before we expanded into custom engraved gifts for businesses, wedding favors, you name it. The personalized touch is our bread and butter.

But of course, it didn’t stop there.
Kickstarter Campaigns and the Art of (Almost) Failing

Like any ambitious craftsperson with big dreams, we decided it was time to launch a Kickstarter campaign. You know the type—the kind that starts with a blurry video shot in your garage while trying not to step on sawdust-covered Legos. The idea was to bring Whidden’s Woodshop to the masses and get our engraved pencils, woodcrafts, and other assorted products into as many hands as possible.

And because I have a sense of humor, I named the campaign “Pencils with Personality.” The backers came trickling in, and before long, we had surpassed our goal! (Okay, not before a few sleepless nights and the obligatory panic attack, but hey, it worked.) This success allowed us to branch out into other items—ornament pouches, pencil pouches, and even custom erasers because, as we all know, sometimes you need to erase your mistakes and pretend they never happened.

But let’s not gloss over the lessons learned during those Kickstarter days. For one, never underestimate how difficult it is to engrave 10,000 pencils while your kids are using half of them to build makeshift sword fights in the backyard. There’s something about a pristine, custom-engraved pencil getting jabbed into the dirt that just hits differently.
The Products: From Pencils to Pouches to…More Pencils?

If there’s one thing we’ve learned at Whidden’s Woodshop, it’s that people love functional, personalized items. We started with pencils, but soon expanded into a variety of products—each one more fun (and functional) than the last.

Custom Engraved Pencils: These are still our bread and butter. Whether you want a motivational quote, a witty one-liner, or your company’s logo, we’ve got you covered. We even offer bulk orders for schools, businesses, and, yes, weddings (because nothing says love like a pencil with your wedding date engraved on it).

Pencil Pouches: Who knew storing pencils could be so stylish? Our pencil pouches come in a variety of materials, from velvet to PVC, and are designed to be both durable and downright attractive. Plus, they’re perfect for students, artists, or anyone who’s tired of rummaging through their backpack for that one pencil that’s always at the bottom.

Ornament Pouches: Holiday season is a big deal at Whidden’s Woodshop, and our ornament pouches have become something of a cult favorite. These velvet drawstring pouches come in a range of colors and sizes, perfect for gifting ornaments or keeping them safe during the off-season.

Engraved Erasers: Yes, you read that correctly. We engrave erasers. Because even when you make a mistake, it’s nice to have something that reminds you it’s okay to start over.

Family Business: The Whiddens, Craftsmanship, and Chaos

Running a family business is a bit like herding cats, only with more sawdust. My wife, bless her soul, is the organizational mastermind behind Whidden’s Woodshop. While I’m out there dreaming up new products and occasionally gluing my fingers together, she’s the one making sure orders go out on time, customers are happy, and that we’re not hemorrhaging money on engraving machines.

Our kids, of course, are right in the thick of it too. They’ve grown up surrounded by the sounds of machines whirring, pencils clattering, and the occasional four-letter word when a project doesn’t go quite as planned. My oldest has developed an entrepreneurial spirit of her own, launching “Whidden’s Crafts”—a side hustle that mostly involves hot glue and glitter, and which I suspect will one day become our biggest competition.

But the beauty of it is that we’re all in this together. Some families bond over board games or camping trips. We bond over figuring out how to package 500 velvet ornament pouches without them getting squashed in transit. And let me tell you, nothing brings a family closer than spending an entire Sunday evening fulfilling orders and trying to keep the dog from eating the packaging peanuts.
Expanding the Shop: What’s Next?

Now that we’ve made our mark with pencils, pouches, and erasers, we’re starting to dream even bigger. We’ve begun experimenting with woodworking tools—handcrafted wooden rulers, custom engraved tool handles, and other items that we hope will inspire the next generation of makers. After all, Whidden’s Woodshop isn’t just about selling products; it’s about encouraging creativity, craftsmanship, and a healthy respect for the humble pencil.

We’ve also got plans to launch another Kickstarter campaign. This time, we’re aiming for something bigger, bolder, and (hopefully) less stressful. The idea is to create a line of custom DIY woodworking kits that families can do together—simple, fun projects like building a birdhouse or crafting your own holiday decorations. And yes, we’ll probably throw in an engraved pencil or two because, let’s face it, that’s kind of our thing.
Why We Do It

At the end of the day, Whidden’s Woodshop is more than just a business—it’s a passion. We believe in the power of creativity, the joy of making something with your own two hands, and the simple pleasure of holding a well-crafted pencil. Whether you’re a student, an artist, or someone who just loves the feel of a smooth, well-made wooden object, we’re here for you.

We also believe that humor is a big part of what makes us successful. Running a business—especially a family-run one—isn’t always easy. But if you can laugh through the chaos (and trust me, there’s plenty of chaos), you can get through just about anything. So, if you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed, just remember that somewhere in Pennsylvania, there’s a family trying to keep their dog from chewing on engraved pencils while frantically packing orders before the kids get home from school.
Join Us in Crafting the Future

We’re always looking for new ways to engage with our customers and build a community of like-minded makers. Whether you’re here for the custom engraved pencils, the holiday ornament pouches, or just to hear the latest chapter in our ongoing saga of running a family business, we welcome you with open arms (and probably a cup of coffee, because we need it).

So, what are you waiting for? Check out our latest creations, join our mailing list, and, most importantly, pick up a pencil—an engraved one, preferably—and start creating. Because at Whidden’s Woodshop, we believe that everyone has a story to tell, and we’re here to help you write it… one pencil at a time.

And with that, I’ll leave you with this: No matter how big our dreams get or how many pencils we engrave, we’ll always be that family in the garage, covered in sawdust and laughing through the chaos. That’s the Whidden way.