Madonna and Child Picture Plaque

My name is Mike. I’ve been a woodworker since I was 12, when I built my first guitar from a book. Since then I’ve built toys, boats, cradles, a clavichord, and a log cabin.

I’ve always loved Christmas, so when I became a Christian I wanted my own tree. But the only ornaments I could find were snowmen and Santa Claus, which seemed to be missing the point. I began making wooden nativity-themed ornaments and selling them at churches here in NE Philly for the last few years, donating the proceeds to local crisis pregnancy centers. I’ve since added scrollsawn picture plaqes and hand-turned wooden pens.