Woodworking crafts career for Milford couple
All of the wood burned artwork at SAPS of OAKoboji is 100% hand-drawn and homemade, according to co-owner Kevin Jones. (Photo by Stewart Chisham)
SAPS of OAKoboji is now open for business
The woodworking gift shop SAPS of OAKoboji opened its doors Memorial Day this year, bringing with it a wide variety of wholesale goods and hand-drawn wood burning artwork.
The store is run by Kevin and Jlynn Jones, a married couple living in Milford. Despite centering their business around their handmade artwork, one might be surprised to know their fascination with wood burning only started 14 months ago, while Kevin was stuck at home following an injury at his 21-year irrigation job. According to Jlynn, it all began with an impulse — a yearning to try something new.
"I had told Kevin it was something I wanted to try," Jlynn said. "He got me an $80 Amazon doodad to work with. While I was at school and he was at home, he started messing around with the wood burning pen in the living room and realized, you know, he's a wonderful artist, and things started to flourish from there."
After garnering some popularity posting their artwork online, and considering the prospect of a summer garage sale to give away some of their works, Jlynn says that the couple felt called by God to open up a storefront instead.
"We hunted for a building in town; didn't want to go too far," Kevin said. "A realtor cousin of mine told me that this building was empty. I went and asked the state for a loan or any sort of assistance, and they told us no, so, we figured it out for ourselves. The entire journey has been God-driven."
As a matter of fact, the couple's hobby has always had deep roots in spreading the word of the Bible.
"We started wood burning just as a way to share the word of God," Jlynn said. "That's how it started. It eventually brought people into our lives who helped us get this building. He really has provided. We started with nothing, now we're in this beautiful building with beautiful people we get to meet and talk with about Jesus. No matter how big the struggle is, He always provides, there's always a way. It's been like that since we let Him into our hearts."
Aside from their own original artwork, Kevin and Jlynn also hope to partner with other local artists and businesses for other wholesale goods to give away at their storefront. The gift cards at the front, for instance, are all made by a local mother-daughter duo, according to Jlynn. Aside from that, they are currently working with some consignments and getting some shirts to come in from town.
"We try to keep whatever we sell here local," Jlynn said. "That's big if we can do that."
With the flooding going on right now, business has been slow, yet steadily growing, according to the pair. According to Jlynn, some people lately have just come to the store to bask in its unique atmosphere — this has inspired Kevin to get to work on refurbishing the back room of the store and converting it into a social space, one which can be used for Bible study, coffee talk, book clubs and the like — they hope to have this remodeling done soon.
"The people who have come here can feel God's presence, and they say that. We've actually had people come in here just because they want that peace."