Oak Lair brings personal touch, artistry to wood working

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started contacting Bright about the highly localized game accessory.

“That’s the type of thing I like to do, is just sort of plant the seeds, scatter some seeds and see what happens,” he said.

Just recently, Bright got some of his magnets into the gift shop at the famous Leinenkugels Brewery in Chippewa Falls, which he called a “big win” due to the amount of people coming through there. He’s also provided items for the Chippewa Area History Museum.

One of his first customers was Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa, near where he grew up, which sells his magnets as low-cost souvenirs for tourists.

Another line of products he makes are decorative trail signs, which incorporate symbols used by the National Parks Service. For those who enjoy activities like hiking, canoeing or camping, the six-by-six inch signs provide a wordless way to celebrate their hobbies inside their homes.

“They’re kind of whimsical too,” he said. “The little figures are almost like Lego people or something. They’re just kind of fun.”

Bright said his creations usually just “start with a conversation,” and he eventually provides a rendering to a customer to show them what is achievable with his wood-cutting technology.

Some of his ideas come directly from his experiences in the outdoors. Years ago, he and a friend were out fishing in a canoe when they stopped and pulled the craft onto the shore. The position of the canoe – partially protruding into the water and perfectly framed by trees on all sides – inspired him to take a photo of the scene.

Years later, that image ended up on a piece of his wall art shaped like the state of Wisconsin. He has etched similar images inside the shape of a northwoods fish. Both of these items are among his most popular.

As advice for those thinking about turning a hobby into a business like his, Bright said “Be prepared to take on some technical challenges.”

“You want to know what you’re up against,” he said. “In this particular case, you’re dealing with a laser beam, so it can carry some hazards. You have to know how to maintain the machine. It has to be in pretty much perfect alignment all of the time. The lenses and mirrors have to be cleaned all of the time, the exhaust has to be working properly. There’s a chiller that keeps the laser tube at a certain temperature.”

Anyone interested in ordering Bright’s work, or providing him with an idea for a project, can contact him through his website, theoaklair.com.