Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Weekly.
Hi Matthew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I come from a family of blue-collar workers. The Weekly’s have been in Oregon since the pioneer days, and we have a long history of building things with our hands, making use of what’s available and living off the land. I watched my dad fix things around the house and even remodel the homes we lived in as a kid. He always reused any material that he could, he never wasted anything.
I didn’t find my love of woodworking or salvage until my late 30s. But I’ve always had a love for things like abstract art, and I liked the idea of crafting rustic items out of discarded materials.
I didn’t start out in a high-end workshop or with new lumber from a big box store. It all started when I picked up a stack of pallets from a business close to my gym.
I immediately noticed all of the knot and grain patterns, weathered colors and the unique character of each type of wood.
I got to work in my carport which is still my “studio” today. It’s where I break down pallets, sand/prep, design & build,
I am self-taught, so my initial focus was on simple, practical items geared toward gardening or outdoor living.
I began with simple raised beds put together with the same nails that I pulled out of the pallets. Some of those first ones were pretty rough looking. But I eventually graduated to custom porch planters, lattices and even indoor wooden planters, ladders and stands.
After a year of building strictly outdoor garden and home accessories, friends and family started putting in requests for custom tables, a POS counter and even an aquarium stand.
I learned to put the same skills to use into larger scale rustic designs. Everything I build has a story and previous life. I love taking something that was destined for a landfill or burn pile and turning into a unique functional piece that will last for years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Supply has sometimes been an issue, and then there is learning how to work more efficiently and graduate from hobby to business. My audience has somewhat limited how fast I can sell things that I build. Also managing running my Janitorial business and trying to juggle my time with everything else I have going on.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I handcraft custom outdoor planters, garden accents, and rustic farmhouse indoor furniture (Tables, cabinets, and custom storage) using reclaimed lumber.
I’m self-taught with a passion for abstract art design. I don’t follow a standard woodworking blueprint. I try to let the unique character of the wood that I’m using sing of shape the design as I’m building it. You will definitely find things that you won’t see in a regular shop or big box store.
I’m proud of being able to give usable material an upcycled second life with individual character.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Probably my love for old school video games, vintage 1970s roots reggae and heavy electronic dub.
A lot of people are also surprised when they learn that I’m a longtime metal detecting enthusiast/treasure hunter.
Contact Info:
- Website: weekly.matthew@gmail.com
