Our Story
ODAA is a local owned small business created by James Foster, Alan Ball, and Lee Ward. What started out as a need to escape from the stresses of life has turned into a deep interest in creativity and woodworking.
Beginning during the COVID years when James and Alan had to work from home. During the isolation, they created many videos for their local school district. ODAA (Other Duties As Assigned) became their running joke since both were creating for the school outside of their regular responsibilities. It was at the same time that James was challenged by friends to create things out of cardboard. This challenge led to a Halloween house, to a Christmas house, and then the ultimate – a book nook.
The creation of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter proved quite challenging. Cardboard had been the preferred material, but the lack of rigidity in cardboard led James to a different material – wood. Hence, the first laser cutter. Many mistakes and fires encompassed the first year with this medium. Youtube became his classroom as he learned. December of 2021 ushered in a new era – the Farmer’s Market. For the cold, wet month of December ODAA set up shop each Saturday for customers. Small in scale, ODAA became a local success that continues to this day.
December of 2021 had more challenges for ODAA. The laser engraver blew up and the team could not figure out how to setup a similar engraver. That’s when they decided to upgrade their laser engraving capabilities. Throughout the winter of 2022, James spent hours honing his knowledge of the machine and wood engraving. ODAA appeared again in May of this year and continues its tradition of offering quality wood engraving and cutting at the local farmers market.
The next chapter begins now two-fold: partnering with the local bookstore to offer some products to their customers and the launch of the ODAA Shop with the help of Jeremy Ward. We hope you like our products. As we say to our customers,