Jenny from Live Edge Detroit

Before joining her family in the wood business, Jenny Barger was in Marketing and Advertising. It turned out to be the perfect background as she now runs the Sales and Marketing for Live Edge Detroit.

Back in 1984, Jenny’s dad started a tree care and removal business. His heart has always been set on sustainability and conservation, and it often pained him to merely chop unwanted trees into firewood.

So in 2016, Jenny, her brother Joe, and her dad Mike founded Live Edge. They now salvage the trees that Mike’s company removes. Once the wood has been cut and taken back to their warehouse, the crew mills them into new usable material.

Slabs of gorgeous dry wood fill the space. Customers are welcome to wander around and search for the perfect materials for their next project or peruse the finished pieces they have to offer.

“Our vision for Live Edge Detroit was to develop a branch of Mike’s Tree Surgeons, Inc. that focused on salvaging our local resources and making them available for the community to enjoy for many more years to come. Our long term goals are to uphold that initial vision and to see it bloom into a more sustainable and profitable branch of the family business. We aren’t planning to take over the world, but we want to make a difference within the community, and we feel that starts right here in our own backyard.” -Jenny Barger from @liveedgedetroit

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help! I’ve been so fortunate to have friends and past colleagues that have pitched in to help me here and there where I may not have expertise. Let people help you, and if you love what you do, and you’re honest and hardworking, I believe success will find you.” -Jenny Barger from @liveedgedetroit

“Everything I know about wood and trees I learned from my dad! He studied Forestry at Michigan Tech University and has been a longtime Certified Arborist and Urban Forester. He is the go-to for anyone in the Metro-Detroit area that needs arboriculture consultation. Not only is he a vast wealth of knowledge, he has been incredibly patient in teaching his corporate-minded daughter how to identify wood species by grain and bark, and understand what species are good for what types of projects, etc. I am not an expert yet – but I have great resources to fall back on when questions arise!” -Jenny Barger from @liveedgedetroit

“My previous jobs were very instrumental to my professional development, but they were not personally fulfilling in the way that working for the family business has been. Not only has it opened up my eyes to how much the community values and respects my dad and his business, but I also have the opportunity to learn from him every day, and to carry out his dream of full cycle sustainability. It has been the biggest blessing! My advice for anyone in a family business is something that I’ve recently had to realize firsthand, and that is to draw a few boundaries between business time and family time. It can be tough to ‘turn off’ when all of the family members are so passionate about what they do, but sometimes you just have to decompress and be a family. As much as we spend time together talking business, sometimes you just need your dad to be your dad to be your dad!” -Jenny Barger from @liveedgedetroit

Jenny’s dogs, Daisy Duke and Bo Duke

DIY Pegboard Storage

As an artist and a crafter, I love having my most used tools and accessories within arm’s reach. That’s why I love these pegboard organizers I created in just 8 easy steps. Follow along to make one for yourself.

You’ll need:

• 1/2 in. x 2 ft. x 2 ft. Wooden Project Panel
• Pencil
• T-Square
• Sand Paper
• 3/4 in. x 48 in. Wooden Dowel
• Drill
• 3/4 in. Spade Bit
• Miter Saw
• 1/2 in. x 4 in. x 4ft. Wooden Plank
• Hanging Fixtures

Step 1: With a pencil and T-Square, create a grid with vertical and horizontal lines across your project panel every four inches.

Step 2: Using the 3/4 in. Spade Bit, drill a hole into the project panel at each intersection of lines on the grid.

Step 3: Carefully sand the wood around each hole so it’s smooth and erase your pencil markings.

Step 4: With the miter saw, cut several 5 inch and 3 inch segments from the wooden dowels. They will serve as pegs and shelf holders.

Step 5: Cut the plank in half with the miter saw. These pieces of plank will serve as shelves.

Step 6: Attach the hanging fixtures onto the top back corners of the wooden panel.

Step 7: Insert the pegs into the project panel and place the shelves on top of the shelf holders.

Step 8: Hang the pegboard and it’s ready for use!

DIY Doughnut Place Cards

Brunch with friends on New Year’s Day is a great cure for staying up far too late the night before. With a little icing and a few doughnuts, you can make edible place cards for your 2017 celebration.

Happy New Year, friends!

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DIY Cookie Notes for Santa

Leaving cookies and a little note for Santa is a sweet tradition that my family baked up every year. It got me thinking, why not combine the two? After all, I think I’d appreciate a cookie note. Wouldn’t you?

You’ll need:

• black and white cookies
• food coloring markers
• and a few warm sentiments to share

If you’re looking for a few pointers:

• Practice writing with the food coloring markers before you start writing on your cookies. It can take a while to get the hang of it.
• Short sayings are easier to work with.
• Feel free to use whatever colors you’d like. Go ahead and draw a picture or two while you’re at it.
• Have fun!

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DIY Christmas Marshmallows

If you’re looking for a simple, sweet craft to do around Christmas–here it is. All you need are marshmallows, icing, and sprinkles. There really is no right or wrong way to go about it, but here are a few tips:

• The smaller the icing nozzle is, the more precise your icing drawing can be.
• If you’re working with large marshmallows, they float better in hot coco when cut in half.
• Get creative with the sprinkles. See what other Christmas scenes you can dream up.

Or take your newly acquired marshmallow decorating skills and make some very festive s’mores.

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The Bread Cone DIY

Ladies and Gents, I give you the bread cone. This rolled up carb loaded goodness is perfectly crafted with your Thanksgiving feast in mind. You can use it as a cornucopia of leftovers or as a creative way of shoveling food into your mouth.

You’ll need:

• pre-made seamless pizza dough
• around 10 cone shaped paper cups
• aluminum foil
• an egg
• and a few pinches of salt

First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Then wrap each cone shaped cup in aluminum foil. Be sure every bit of it is covered (it’ll be going into the oven later).

Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into strips lengthwise. Then lightly grease a cookie sheet and the outside foil of each cup.

Carefully wrap the dough around the foil wrapped cups. Start at the pointy end and work your way down. Coat the dough in a light egg wash and sprinkle with a dash of salt.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Now you’re ready to chow down. Have fun!

DIY Pumpkin Pie Bites

Get ready for the simplest and tiniest pumpkin pie recipe you ever did see. Not only is it quick, but you get the perfect ratio of pastry crust to pumpkin filling in each bite.

You’ll need:

• pre-made seamless pastry dough sheets
• a mini cupcake tray
• 1 cup of pure canned pumpkin
• 8 oz of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice extract
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• and a can of whipped cream

First, roll out your pastry dough on a flat surface. Use a shot glass to stamp out each individual pie crust.

Grease the pan and place each circle of dough into the mini cupcake tray.

Use a mixer (or a blender if you must) and combine the following: 1 cup of pure pumpkin, 2 eggs, 8 oz of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice extract, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Spoon out the mixture into each of the pie crusts. Be careful not to over fill. The pumpkin filling with rise with cooking.

Bake at the sheet at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Let the mini pies cool and then serve them up with a dollop of whipped cream.

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DIY Pumpkin Pie Garland

This pumpkin pie garland is a great addition to your holiday festivities and it looks good enough to eat! You’ll need: air dry clay, paint, twine, a knife, and 10 or so metal hoops (you can find these in the jewelry section of your local craft store).

Step 1: Roll out a ball of clay. This will eventually be the base of your pie. Roll out two skinny pieces of clay. The larger one will be the pie crust and the smaller one will be the dollop of whipped cream.

Step 2: Flatten the ball of clay with the palm of your hand, the slice off two sides of the circle of clay to create a triangle with one rounded edge.

Step 3: With the tip of your finger or the blunt edge of a knife, waffle the top edge of the larger skinny piece of clay. Remember, this will be the pie crust. Attach it to the rounded end of the pumpkin pie base. It helps if you use a little water to adhere one surface to the other.

Step 4: Swirl the skinniest piece of clay into a circle to look like a dollop of whipped cream. Attach it to the top of the pumpkin pie base.

Step 5: Slide one of the metal hoops into the back side of the pumpkin pie. You’ll attach the garland string to it later on.

Step 6: After the clay has dried a little, paint the crust brown, paint the pumpkin part orange, and the dollop of whipped cream white.

Step 7: After the paint and clay have entirely dried, tie the garland string onto the hoop of each pumpkin pie you’ve created. Now you’re ready to give thanks in style!

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DIY Sugar Skulls

Sugar Skulls, or calaveras in Spanish, are typically made of sugar paste or clay to celebrate Día de Muertos. The traditional Mexican holiday is one of remembrance for friends and loved ones who’ve passed. Made as offerings, these little artistic beauties have captured the hearts of many. Just in time to celebrate, I came up with a spooky craft in honor of the colorful sugar skulls.

You’ll need a skull cookie cutter, plenty of polymer clay, and access to an oven.

• First, cut out the silhouette of the skull with the cookie cutter.
• Then add in facial features in all black.
• With tiny balls of various colors, create patterns around the facial features.
• Once your design is complete, preheat the oven to 275 degrees and cook your creations for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on their thickness.

Use your imagination to take your skulls to the next level. Turn them into a garland, use them to decorate a wreath, or string them onto a necklace.

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Camping Tips

• Be prepared.
  Make sure you have enough food and provisions for the duration of your stay.
  Pack a few extra fire starters and lighters to be safe.
  Bring along an axe, hammer, and pocket knife. You never know when you’ll need them.
  Think ahead. Be ready for bugs, rain, sunburns, and other sticky situations.
  Don’t forget the first aid kit!
• Pick a campsite.
  Take a look around and be aware of your surroundings.
  Look for loose tree limbs or rocks that could potentially crash your site.
  Take note of noisy neighbors, also be conscious of your own camping etiquette.
  Find an ideal spot to light a fire, safe from wind and wetness.
  Maintain a safe distance from any water sources. Never get caught in a flash flood.
• Pick the right shelter.
  Of course the size of your tent is important,if you’re looking for comfort, get a tent twice as large as the number of sleepers it holds. (remember, you have to store a bit of your gear in there with you as well)
  Look for tents that have screened windows and secure closures.
  Make sure to pack a few extra tent poles just in case.
  Practice make perfect—so try setting up your tent at home before hand.
  Consider the weather conditions. Account for wind, the need for water resistance, and temperature.
• Pick your bedding.
  Be it a sleeping bag, camping mattress, air pad, cot, or hammock—make sure it’s sturdy and comfortable enough to suit your needs.
  Again, you must be aware of the temperatures you’ll be facing. Whether the weather is hot, cold, or wet—be ready for whatever situation may arise.
  Earplugs and sleeping masks can also come in handy.
• Make your space cozy.
  Throw in a carpet, lanterns, or a string of lights to make your campsite home.