The wonderful world of wood combined with the worldwide web have helped a local man beat back boredom.
Oakwood Road resident Christopher Ex, a self-described stay-at-home-dad, kicked up his love of working a notch and started an ‘on-line? business. The Ortonville Wood Shoppe was born last September and kept Ex from going stir crazy.
‘I’ve been a stay-at-home dad since 1999 and had, what the doctors call, a severe case of cabin fever,? Ex, the father of two children, Jacob 10 and Hannah, 7, said.
He found life at home when the kids went to school was, well, boring. ‘I felt better and more focused when I remodeled then expanded our deck. And, when I finished that, I started making little things for my wife,? he said.
Friends and family saw his custom wood- working and told him he could ‘sell it.?
‘But, I didn’t like the idea of toting everything around to craft shows,? he said. So, with time on his hands he investigated companies that provide web pages for individuals.
‘I found the place I liked, picked the format, entered the text, pictures and prices. Now, whenever I finish a project it goes on-line.?
Ex said it took him ‘about a month? to work out all the bugs of ‘exsbarn.com,? but now things are running smoothly.
‘I get about 500 hits a month and make enough money to keep the site going,? he said.
Life before the on-line wood shop was in the education field. Before he and wife Jill decided he would stay home to raise the kids, Ex was an athletic trainer at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School.
‘I did that for eight years,? he said.
His affinity for wood working started when he was growing up in the Standish area. ‘My dad was a carpenter for 25 years and whenever he was doing anything my dad would take me to work with him.?
Ex makes custom shelves, bunk beds, dressers, tables, children’s toys, rockers, yard decorations ? whatever his customers have wanted.
‘I enjoy it,? he said, adding that stay- at-home parents might also find solace in an on-line venture. ‘If they can swing it, I’d do it.?