Local Woodworker Crafts Hobby into a Career

SOUTH RANGE, Wis.– Josh Dumke of South Range Wisconsin has worn many hats throughout his career.

“So, for twelve years I was a research scientist at the national resources research institute. I did fisheries, and aquatic invasive species research. That was about the time that I kind of started my woodworking business. And my interests kind of changed. What I really liked doing, I wanted to do the side business more than my job,” said Dumke.

Dumke took the leap and decided to pursue this passion full time.

For all of his creations, he prides himself with using locally sourced lumber.

Some of that lumber even coming from his parent’s land.

I’ve always wanted to do all of the things myself. So instead of buying something, I want to learn how to build it. I’ve continued that my whole life,” explained Dumke.
“And that led to milling trees and milling the lumber myself. So, it really came from me having a desire to complete all of these tasks and learn how to do them on my own.”

And through that desire to continue learning, he has learned to build a wide range of projects.

“I make tables, coffee tables, end tables, charcuterie boards, cutting boards, a lot of home decor also. People really look for that kind of thing, that has a little bit of a unique flair to it. Because I mill my own lumber, I try to incorporate as much live edge into my pieces as possible,” said Dumke.

And with that unique flair, Josh hones in on the idea that everything he makes is special.

He’s constantly adding on different ideas. Most recently, he introduced a laser engraver to make projects even more unique.

Some of the projects he takes on are specific requests from clients, that quickly catches the attention from other clients.

“A lot of the things I make start as one offs. They’re not production runs where I make 30 of the same things. So, I’ll make it, and put it on Facebook, maybe it’s a special request for one client, and other people will reach out asking for the same thing. And then I’ll make more of them. But a lot of the things I make are unique and special. one off projects. You won’t find another just like it,” said Dumke.

Overtime, the popularity of Dumke Designs grew. And Josh found himself attending craft shows, where he has sold out of his creations at some of these events.

That popularity also resonates with the people closest to him.

“It’s been very joyous to be able to do what I love. And to have so many people support me, my wife, my parents, all my friends, everybody is really rooting for me to make it,” beamed Dumke.

As for the future, he’s looking forward to attending more craft shows, and continuing to do what he knows best.

Josh updates his Facebook page frequently to showcase the latest and greatest of his creations.