People spend too much time with their noses buried in electronic devices nowadays, choosing to buy stuff from big box stores or online mega-conglomerates. I want to keep the craft alive… making things with my hands, sometimes assisted by machines. I have a passion for making that “something special:” for people.

Why LYTOMIZE Woodshop? Countless times I’ve seen questions posted online asking about what someone ought to name themselves as they set out to establish a public profile. It came easy to me as it is a combination of the first two letters of my three biggest woodworking mentors along with mine thrown in for good measure:

• LYle - my late father Lyle. He built a workbench in his basement when I was little and I remember spending time down there while he tinkered around with his tools.

• TOm - my late uncle Tom. This guy gave me the very sound foundation of woodworking knowledge upon which I build and expand upon with each and every project I take on.

• MIchael - me! Son, husband, father of one awesome little girl who has a growing love for tools and will soon become an excellent partner in the workshop.

• ZEnon - my now 99 (!) year old uncle, WWII veteran and unwavering source of information as a former foreman from the National Research Council. A great woodworker in his own right, he was turning pens and making other small items right through 2022 - I’m so privileged and fortunate to be able to pick up the phone and pick his brain… he’s been a crucial resource in helping me oversee the building of a new workshop.

As I navigated myself through my first year of “making for the public” in 2022, I quickly learned that there was a gap in customized and personalized gifts for kids as well as from kids to their parents. Think Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. With Canada’s population becoming more diverse each and every year, I’ve also identified another big gap in the availability of personalized items for kids who aren’t named John or Jane. I intend on filling that gap.

Located seconds from Franktown in Beckwith Township, I’ve created items for people in Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth, Almonte and throughout Lanark County…. but I’ve shipped and delivered projects in and all around Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec as well. Thanks to Canada Post and other services, I’m not just limited to a 100km radius of my shop - I can ship anywhere in Canada and beyond!

Do you have any suggestions? Send me a message through the Contact page and I’ll get back to you ASAP!