I found out last weekend that quite a few people don’t really know what I do for a living. Sure, I’m a photographer. I shoot weddings, a little fashion, and the occasional family session. But I guess most people who’ve seen my work don’t know the other half of my life. The TREE portion of it. I’ve never met anyone like myself or my family, but that just keeps things interesting. So here it is: I own and operate a Tree Nursery with my husband. And yes, this is entirely un-related to my photography life, although I will say I’ve probably photographed more trees and leaves in my career than faces to some degree. Ha!  We’ve been running this nursery together for almost 10 years now, but my amazing husband, Jason started it long before. The story is rather hard to believe, but it is true. You can read about it here if you’d like. Or just take my word for it. Our day to day life is something most people can’t relate to. There are parts of it that are easy, flexible,and crazy fun. Like, what other wedding photographer knows a little Latin when it comes to trees and gets to drive around big tractors like a boss? Yea, me. Potential post about this later?? But there are also things in our business that are hard, relentless, and overwhelming at times. And there is a ton of risk involved. But we’ve both found an immense passion for something that, at first, was just a way to make a living. Now it’s the way we make our life. But moving to the point…

A few months ago, we finally got ourselves to a place where we had the time to try something new. Branch out if you will. Ugh, no pun intended, seriously!  😉 We decided to involve my father. Yes, again, hard to relate to this one, but my father works for me. For us. He’s been working the nursery grounds with us for almost four years now and we absolutely love it. I can’t imagine my life any other way and to have my husband, my son, and my father with me on a daily basis makes me beam with pride. And I’ve come to realize I’ll probably always be a tomboy…there is just no good days for girly-girl stuff in my life these days. Boys are such boys! No matter how young or old they are! I digress again. Back to my father. He works for us now, but made his living in life as a master carpenter, a true craftsman in every sense of the word. He’s been building things with his hands since before I was born and honestly I doubt there is something he can’t make. I have always wondered why I wasn’t passed down this gene of sheer artistry….  Anyway. Jason and I decided to utilize his talents within our own business. First, he built us custom desks for our office. Then, he hand built us a tree. A HUGE, insanely gorgeous TREE out of what seems like a thousand pieces of plywood. There isn’t a single person who walks into our office who doesn’t comment on it. But it’s HUGE, and most people couldn’t afford what it would cost to make something of that scale. (Lucky for me, I was given a huge family discount! Duh.) But we wanted to make something more tangible. Something we could repurpose. Something we could reinvent with what we already have and feel good about while doing it.  And so we started making things for our home out of dead trees, cut-off limbs, and beetle-kill wood. There was little more satisfying than knowing we were making something new out of something most would burn, or throw away.

While all three of us came up with idea after idea, my father was the one who brought them to life. I scouted out things in store I wanted to buy for myself, then would run back to the nursery and tell him to just make me one. But with his own twist on it. Over the next few months, his items became tangible memories that filled my house: A bookshelf, a candle-holder, a coaster set, a frame, a jewelry hanger, a ring, a trinket box, a free-standing figuring for my mantle. There were so many things. And suddenly so many customers, clients, and friends showed interest in his creations.

So this is it: TWIGS & TREEN. It’s an Etsy Shop with a few of the items he’s hand-made. As a new adventure. Our hands have all touched these pieces, but my father is the true artist. And I’m so proud of him.

Today, we’ll start by selling some of our favorite coaster sets (most from beetle-kill wood) and repurposed barnwood frames. Over the next few months, we’ll start adding his other pieces. For us, we aren’t even sure people will share the joy that we have in owning these things. And more practically, it might only be our family who shops our little online storefront. But that’s ok. Sometimes dreams come true with the simple act of DOING. And having physical items in my hand made by my own dad is pretty freakin’ cool. Sharing them with the world, even if it’s only to a relative down the street? That’s just icing on the cake.

The above shop banner shows a coaster set that’s been one of my favorites from day one; one of the first sets he made me. And yes, in addition to being the idea mogul, I have photographed and inventoried every piece. If there are mistakes in the writing or images, those are mine. Be forewarned, friends. With a baby, a tree nursery, and a photography business, most of this was done in the early hours of the morning before I went to sleep at night. As was this post, which is why it suddenly sounds incoherent to me as I read it back. Let’s just say this has been a labor of love. Happy Shopping!! And Happy, Happy Spring!

And oh my goodness if you read all of this, thank you! You are a saint. 😉

Love you, Dad!

My dad, Frank Crabbs