Customer Spotlight

Jason Allen has fulfilled his father’s lifelong dream of having his own woodshop. In The Little Red Woodshop in Manito, Illinois, Jason is finding his dreams coming true, as well.

written by: Connie Ratisseau

Without this little machine, my life would not be the way it is now and it is good!
I had the pleasure of meeting Jason Allen at my first Woodworking Show in St. Louis (Collinsville). What struck me most was his enthusiasm and energy. His passion for what he was doing and excitement for the CarveWright was infectious not just to me, but for everyone fortunate enough to speak with him as they came into our booth that weekend. The record number of machines we sold that weekend has not been broken.

I thrive on reactions…I always get a WOW. And that WOW is what keeps me working towards perfection.

Researching Jason’s website www.littleredwoodshop.com, I was profoundly struck again by his character that shines through his website. I was reminded of the Girl Scout Promise that I took years ago. “On my honor, I will try: to serve God, my country and to help people at all times…” That is Jason Allen.On Spirituality, Jason professes, “I am not a Sunday Christian. I am, however, a believer…(that realizes)…when I stop being selfish and start listening to what God is telling me. I get rewarded.” His rewards are abounding by his company that is finally flourishing and he attributes some of that success to his CarveWright. “Without this little machine, my life would not be the way it is now and it is good!”

Jason has owned his CarveWright for six months. “I researched the machine for a year (before purchasing) and I wish I hadn’t lost that time.” Jason currently has two CarveWrights and this week he has been cleaning up The Little Red Woodshop with plans to add more. Since his father’s death three years ago this month, Jason and his siblings have been busy realizing his father’s dream to have his own Woodshop. Left with his tools and a lifelong exposure to woodworking, they built The Little Red Woodshop and are now enjoying its success.
That’s the beauty of it (CarveWright). Regular Joe’s like me from a variety of backgrounds can use it.

Jason claims to have “inherited his (fathers) tools, but not his talent.” One look at his work and it is obvious Jason has found his talent. Jason creates beautiful lithopanes (Greek word meaning “light in stone”) from Corian. His “Jesus Wept” and “Whole World in His Hands” Lithopanes can not be appreciated in a photograph as they are in person with the light shining from behind his carvings. Jason considers himself to still be practicing. “I thrive on reactions…I always get a WOW. And that WOW is what keeps me working towards perfection.”

Jason is not just a CarveWright user; he is a leader in forming the new CNC Art Guild of America an idea that began on the CarveWright User’s Forum and within weeks became a reality. The CNC Art Guild (www.cncartguild.com) at printing time has 69 members in 31 states of individuals that have an interest in sharing ideas and information with fellow CarveWright or CompuCarve owners. “That’s the beauty of it (CarveWright). Regular Joe’s like me from a variety of backgrounds can use it.” Of the CNC Art Industry, Jason states, “it is a totally new industry waiting to blossom and explode.”At The Little Red Woodshop, Jason also creates signs many which have a military theme. An ex-member of the US Army and coming from a long line of military family members, Jason’s patriotism is evident from his website. After seeing one of his military signs, Jason was asked to participate in a memorial to fallen war hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Cpl. Jason Dunham. Read more about Cpl. Jason Dunham at www.littleredwoodshop.com. He has been commissioned to create a memorial that will be dedicated on June 28th in Ridgway, PA. The memorial that Jason is creating is a closely guarded secret, but his excitement is obvious. We at LHR, look forward to adding a photo of the finished product to our Customer Gallery.