Useful Tips

Now that summer is here, everyone we know is planning a vacation. After more than a year at home, some are heading off to farther reaches and changing their scenery in big ways. But one way to get some rest and relaxation in, closer to home, is to spend time in nature. One of our favorite ways to enjoy the summer season is to get outdoors. Camping, fishing, hiking and sports are all ways to connect to others, yourself and nature. These activities can all be done simply and with minimal supplies, but many outdoor adventures require some small accessories...

Playing a cribbage game is a sure way to enjoy some entertainment. It’s a hugely popular game for a reason, and has endured through history, with stories about its past ranging from royalty to submariners in the military.  It’s a perfect game for two to play, though it can be adapted for more players. The rules are a bit complex, with a layer of subtlety that must be learned through practice. Scoring points and winning a cribbage game depends on which cards your opponent has played, if cards in the remaining deck will help your hand, and your position on...

The holiday season is over, and we’ve settled into the New Year, but there’s another reason to celebrate, coming up. If you’ve got eyes for someone, Valentines Day may be a moment that gets you excited to show you care. On the other hand, it could be super stressful, with pressure mounting over how to make your love swoon.  It’s easy to think that you need to go overboard with pricey gifts and a lavish display of affection. But oftentimes, it really is the thought that counts. We like to think of our wooden boxes as the ultimate way to...

Buying American made products has never been more important.  With a global pandemic to contend with, small business owners have struggled to operate, more so than in any time in recent history. Products that are made in the United States are an important part of our economy, and buying them helps the situation in so many ways. Many American made products are manufactured by small businesses. Supporting them translates quite literally to supporting families and communities. Small businesses in the US employed 60.6 million Americans in 2017 according to the Small Business Association - that’s over 47% of the working...

A musician must practice in order to improve their performance. Practice makes perfect, right?  As any musician puts more time and intention into regularly using their instrument, studies with mentors or teachers, and challenges themselves with new technique and tunes, they will naturally become more advanced. It’s part muscle memory, part cognitive function, and partly a result of improved sensitivity to stylistic nuances.  Musicians who are new to learning an instrument may prefer to start on a student grade instrument, or borrow, rent, or buy a used instrument. Basic technique can be learned on any one of these, and the...