Meet Tyler Eichelberger | Craftsman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Eichelberger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I figured that I could get a lot more experience with different projects if I put myself out there to potential customers. Oddly enough, I didn’t even really put a ton of thought into it. I just kind of did it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I pride myself in keeping the business process personal. It’s easy to get lost in the numbers, but I strive to always focus on the people. I love hearing the stories of people spending time by the fire pit with family while enjoying a patio furniture set I built them. Or the family who lost the food loving matriarch of the family, and want a new cutting board or noodle board to keep the love going. I’m most proud of the relationships I can build.

That’s all well and good, but at the end of the day I’ve got to make a product people want to spend their hard earned money on. Figuring out what sells and what doesn’t is a true trial and error process. Mostly errors in the beginning. I went into my woodworking journey thinking I could just make large furniture pieces/sets and I could just knock them out on the weekends. The reality is that while I thoroughly love making those pieces, not everybody wants or needs a 12 foot live edge table. I had to learn to truly diversify what types of pieces I create. You can’t be a one trick pony in an Amazon world. You also can’t expect success from just working on the weekends. Even a ‘side gig’ needs full time commitment.

I want people to see the beauty of true craftsmanship, and the value in hand made. Go ahead and keep your Prime membership. Just don’t let ourselves forget the value of hand made and the time and effort it takes to learn a craft.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You can’t visit Fuquay Varina without a stop at Aviator Brewing Company. After a good meal and a tasty beverage, head over to Revelry Barber and Shave Shop for a great haircut with old time barbershop vibes. Head over to the business district in the fall for Celebrate Fuquay Varina. Camping and fishing at Jordan Lake.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt my stepdad Joe deserves all the credit, praise, and respect in the world. I named my shop after my Grandma and Grandpa, and it was Joe who fostered my fascination with woodworking in particular. He didn’t have to say anything- I would just watch him work. He’d whip up a shaker style hutch buffet like it was nothing. Then he’d put up a pergola on a Saturday morning. He doesn’t say much about his work, but he doesn’t have to. The work speaks for itself. These days, he’s just a phone call away to answer any questions I have or even just to show him my latest projects. He’s always there to tell me when I’m overthinking things, but even more to give me a ‘job well done’.

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/gritandgracewoodwork

Instagram: @grit.and.grace.woodworking

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gritandgracewoodworking