From a Cleveland Public Library MakerSpace project in 2015 to a workshop in Concord, Ohio, Arotags makes laser-cut wooden car air fresheners that can be refilled instead of thrown away. Founder Michael Milam personally oversees each one, using American poplar prepared by a local Amish family woodshop and pairing it with a fiber scent core designed for a lasting release. Customers can choose an existing design or create a custom piece, all backed by a 45-day “Make It Right” guarantee.
24 Hour CraftsFrom a garage near Pittsburgh, 24 Hour Crafts has grown into a small U.S. business making laser-cut wood shapes and craft blanks for artists and DIY crafters. Its team includes artists and crafters themselves, and the company makes customizable pieces by hand from sustainably sourced wood, typically shipping orders within one business day.GREENSBURG, PA
Milestone Cube CompanyBorn from a family need 23 years ago, Milestone Cube Company handcrafts solid Pennsylvania cherrywood cubes for corporate, military and personal recognition, including engraved coin and planter cubes. Cumberland makers Peter and Terry bring furniture-making and more than 18 years of woodworking experience to a business that has grown from its original Alzheimer’s-care purpose into an international operation serving more than 5,000 customers worldwide. Peter is a proud veteran and a pioneer in using laser technology for wood turning, while the company says it uses sustainable wood and practices in its products.CUMBERLAND, MD
Buffalo Reclaimed Flag CoStarted as a hobby in a Buffalo-area garage, Buffalo Reclaimed Flag Co. is a family-owned American maker of hand-carved wooden flags and related patriotic wall art. Its pieces are charred, aged, and carved using a blend of computer-precise stenciling and traditional handwork, so each flag is one of a kind. The Elma, New York company has shipped more than 35,000 flags across the country, including oversized pieces up to 16 feet and a 16-foot flag installed inside the Pentagon.BUFFALO, NY
Sherwood Forest DesignFor 25 years, artist Soli Pierce has made hand-painted, hand-turned heirloom wooden bowls one by one in her studio on a quiet one-lane road. Sherwood Forest Design began as a young mother’s way to combine art, home and time with her son, and its bowls are now shipped around the world for everyday meals and shared gatherings.CORTLANDT MANOR, NY