We are thrilled to announce the winners of our highly anticipated 2024 Woodworking & Slab Contest! This year, we received an incredible variety of entries showcasing the skill, creativity, and dedication of woodworkers who use AdvantageLumber.com materials to bring their visions to life.
1st Place: “The Caz” – Spanish Walnut (Parota) Slab Masterpiece
Taking the top spot this year is “The Caz”, a stunning creation using Spanish Walnut (Parota) slabs. These thick pieces were custom-cut from live-edge slabs, highlighting the natural beauty and rich grain of Parota wood. This project perfectly embodies the rustic elegance and organic flow that makes cutting thick lumber from live-edge slabs so popular. Congratulations to our first-place winner!
Architect: C.Jake Schneider, AIA, CEO
Photographer: Katie Schneider Photography
Venue Website: The Caz





2nd Place: Epoxy Resin Live Edge Feature Wall
Coming in second is a built-in feature wall that merges live-edge slabs with modern epoxy techniques. This two-sided live-edge slab project, purchased from AdvantageLumber.com, incorporates lighting between the slabs, creating a mesmerizing lava-like effect. The blend of natural wood with glowing resin adds an artistic and dynamic element to any space.
Chris Venable – Laurel, Maryland
Construction Company: https://www.falconconstruction.us/



3rd Place: Buffalo AKG Art Museum Drawing Benches
The third-place winner is an inspiring and functional project—drawing benches built for the Buffalo AKG Art Museum! These portable seats include a folding and adjustable easel to hold drawing boards, allowing museum visitors to sketch the art in comfort. Available in both adult and child sizes, the benches are made entirely from soft maple with metal hardware. Additionally, they are stackable, making them easy to store when not in use. We are proud to have supplied the lumber for this project, which is now part of one of Buffalo’s most prestigious art institutions!
Liam Glynn & Susan Koloski – Kenmore (Buffalo) New York
Buffalo AKG Art Museum


Best Woodworking Project Winner: Paul Bartlett’s Stunning Wood Vase
We introduced a special category this year: “Best Woodworking Project,” and the winner is Paul Bartlett with his breathtaking wood vase! Standing 18 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter, this masterpiece is composed of a stunning variety of woods, including Black Palm, Maple, Walnut, Spalted Maple, Eastern Red Cedar, Wenge, Ebony, Cherry, and Ash. The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in this segmented woodturning project demonstrate exceptional woodworking skill. This vase is a true testament to the beauty that can be achieved with high-quality wood and patience.
Paul Bartlett – Englewood, Florida

Enter the 2025 Woodworking & Slab Contest!
Do you want a chance to showcase your woodworking skills and win exciting prizes? The 2025 Woodworking & Slab Contest is now open for entries!
How to Enter:
- Create Your Project: Use any of our live-edge slabs, hardwood lumber, turning blanks, or decking materials to build something amazing.
- Take High-Quality Photos: Capture clear images of your finished piece, showcasing the details and craftsmanship.
- Submit Your Entry: Send us your project details, including the type of wood used and a short description of your process.
- Stay Tuned: Winners will be announced in early 2026!
Deadline to Submit: December 31, 2025
Submission Details: Click here to enter
Whether you’re a professional woodworker or a passionate DIY enthusiast, this contest is a great opportunity to share your creativity with the world!
Shop Premium Hardwood & S4S Lumber for Your Next Project!
At AdvantageLumber.com, we provide a wide selection of live-edge slabs, turning blanks, and premium hardwood lumber, perfect for all types of woodworking projects. In addition to these, we also offer S4S Lumber (surfaced on four sides), which is planed smooth and ready for immediate use.
Why Choose S4S Lumber?
- Ready to Use – Skip the milling process and get straight to building.
- Consistent Dimensions – Uniform thickness and width for precise projects.
- Perfect for Furniture & Cabinetry – Ideal for tables, shelves, and detailed woodworking.
- Available at Our Lumber Mills:
- Sarasota, Florida
- Buffalo, New York
- Los Angeles, California
Perfect for the Modern Square Trim & Molding Trend
With today’s design trends shifting towards sleek, squared-off trim and molding, S4S Lumber is the perfect solution for achieving this modern aesthetic!
Save Time & Money! With rising costs due to inflation, S4S lumber is a cost-effective option that requires minimal extra milling. You can easily use it for:
- Base Molding – Clean, square edges give a contemporary look.
- Door & Window Casings – Achieve a sleek, minimalistic appearance.
- Stair Risers – Perfect for modern staircases with a clean finish.
- Built-In Features – Create stylish and functional spaces like:
- Reading Nooks
- Breakfast Nooks
- Mudroom Benches & Storage Areas
The uses for S4S Lumber are endless! Whether you’re a professional contractor, woodworker, or DIY enthusiast, this is the ideal material for quick and efficient home improvement projects.
Explore our full selection of S4S lumber today at AdvantageLumber.com and start bringing your ideas to life!
Congratulations to All the Winners!
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. Your craftsmanship and creativity continue to inspire us, and we are honored to be a part of your woodworking journey.
If you’re feeling inspired, don’t forget to enter our 2025 Woodworking & Slab Contest and explore our premium lumber selection for your next big project!
Stay tuned for more contests and opportunities to showcase your work!
Honorable Mentions – Thank You for Your Beautiful Work!
This year, we received so many incredible submissions that we couldn’t let the contest end without recognizing some honorable mentions!
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. Your woodworking talent and passion inspire us, and we are honored to be a part of your journey.
If you didn’t place this year, don’t be discouraged—we encourage you to enter again in 2025! Every project we receive is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of our woodworking community.
Keep Creating & Keep Inspiring!
Stay tuned for more contests, giveaways, and opportunities to showcase your work!

Mark Dearth
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
“Orchestra Model (OM) acoustic guitar with IPE back and sides. The three piece back is reminiscent of the D-35 style guitar by Martin. All the wooden components of the guitar except the fretboard were handcarved or cut from wood stock. The headstock is also a veneer of IPE. The bindings are figured maple as a contrast to the deep brown of the IPE back and sides. The two “wings” of the back (left and right sides) were resawed from a single 5.5” IPE board and they were chosen for the grain figure the display. The center board in the back and the side boards that were steam bent, were chosen for their straight grain. The headstock veneer was chosen for its beautiful grain, as well. The thin strips of joinery in the back are maple. The top or face of the instrument is bearclaw sitka spruce and was chosen for its unique appearance as well as its acoustics. The rosette around the soundhole is also an IPE inlay. The entire instrument is finished with water-based acrylic lacquer.”

Michelle Nevaeh
Nevaeh Creates
Vero Beach, FL
“Italian Olive wood burl slab with aqua marine transparent epoxy, and a metal pedestal base.”

Mathew Ladwig
Parrish, FL
“Spalted Tamarind decorative bowl with alternating direction wings. Made from a single 3x8x8 blank from Advantage.”

Curt J.
TheeMill
Santa Ynez, CA
“Benches created from white oak slabs with added steel pin legs”

Curt J.
TheeMill
Santa Ynez, CA
“Two 10 foot red wood slabs, milled, sanded, and joined together to create a beautiful redwood conference table.”

Todd Bates
Bates and Allen Fine Woodworking
Los Banos, CA
“These are 100% hardwood blanket,hope, and cedar chests. No two are alike. Both domestic and exotic hardwoods.”

Richard Skiba
Better Than New LLC
Punta Gorda, FL
“Tiger wood decking and table in a patio along with the sidewalk entrance.”

Richard Skiba
Better Than New LLC
Punta Gorda, FL
“Sea turtle- made out of tiger wood- black walnut – pine. Plastic wood between the pieces that I colored before applying. I rescued the black walnut from a fire pit in Ohio 😅”

John Jackson
Marlinton, West Virginia
“I built a deck out of Ipe twenty years ago and got very impressed with the wood then, especially the grain and color. Although I could not find any information on using the wood for furniture, I decided to chance it and build this desk out of it. The desk legs were made from a 4 X 4 X 8 , and since I only used half of it to make the legs, I had a nice piece left over. I noticed when I went to stack that piece on a wood rack that the piece was perfectly quarter sawn and would make great fretboards for guitars and mandolins, which I also build. I only have one more fretboard left of that piece now. The desk design is from a Thomas Moser book of shop drawings of his Shaker style furniture that he graciously bestowed upon the woodworking world. I made two of these desks, one out of mahogany and this one out of Ipe. The mahogany one I gave to my daughter, and it is still a beauty, but the Ipe one is my favorite. Every time I go by it I open it up, look at the color and grain of the wood, and marvel that Ipe is not used in high end furniture very much.”

Edward Leach
Omaha, NE
“This is a chaise lounge, one of two, made from Latin Teak purchased from Advantage Lumber . They were made for a friend who asked me to make copies of chairs that had suffered some deterioration after having been left out in the weather for many years. I replaced broken parts from the original chairs and made two new ones using a slightly modified design. Each chair has ninety hand-made mortise and tenon joints, and is finished with 3 coats of spar varnish.”

Mike Yox
Yox Designs
Irving NY
“Concealed Shotgun Coat Rack Every home needs one of these! The face is Flame Maple with Mahogany decorative carvings. The case is made of Larch. Buttoned distressed leather panel with bronze studs and hooks. The case can hold a full size Mossberg 590 or be cut for other firearms such as handguns or even some carbines.”

Bruce Robertson
Sarasota, FL
“Female torso carved from Ipe wood from Advantage Lumber”

Paul Weil
Buffalo, New York
“This is a teak cockpit floor grate which I milled from standard 8’ teak decking that I bought at the Buffalo location. The fiberglass floor of the cockpit is contoured so the underside of the grate is shaped so that the walking surface is level but water can still drain through the scuppers. There are two main sections with two small interlocking pieces that allow the grate to stay locked in place with no permanent fastening. Great traction and elevates an old worn cockpit floor!”

Mike Nickerson
Thin Blue Line Woodworks
Marietta, GA
“Two separate slabs of rosewood joined together with Wisebond epoxy and finished off with Flowyline legs”

Amy Nickerson
Marietta, GA
“Hickory slab with WiseBond epoxy and Flowyline center leg.”

Thomas Boisvert
LACONIA, NH
“Wood burnt flower and cribbage board. Forget the name of wood, but I’m sure you recognize it.”

Cole Lourenco
Danville CA
“My project is two resin river tables originally made from an Advantage Lumber black walnut slab (picture 3). The first is a longer entry table (picture 1) which uses pearlescent powder set in epoxy for color and shine. The second piece is a coffee/reading table (picture 2) set on a c-shaped base to slide under a couch with ease. Both are stained with linseed oil to bring out a full color profile.”

Edward Sarkisian
Greer, SC
“This project was made to honor my father who was involved in training mechanics during WWII. It took forty years to recover the prop which my father had used for a project of his which disappeared when I was a teen. It is made of solid poplar, birch plywood and red oak inserts that support it’s hanging weight. The only exceptions are the visible steel fasteners. It was finished with automotive lacquer.”

Heather Davern
Port Charlotte, FL
“Our project is a custom made river desk. We used a beautiful red cedar slab and used Wise Bond Deep Pour Epoxy for the river. To accentuate the beauty of the river we used Wise Bond Mica powder in Mystique blue for the lower inch of the river, then filled the rest with clear epoxy. This allowed the river “banks” to show and add realism to the river illusion. “

George OHara
Woodrightdesign.com
Tampa, FL
“Console table in hickory with wisebondepoxy deep pour and green pigment”

George OHara
Woodrightdesign.com
Tampa, FL
“Hickory cutting board and wisebondepoxy deep pour purple mica powder”

ED MAREK
JOHN HENRY’S PLUMBING
Lincoln, Nebraska
“This is a cedar chest I made for my niece’s wedding. The main body is made from Lyptus wood, with the panels made from Birch. The top is actually reclaimed popular I got from here great grandmother’s couch that I tore apart and stained a dark mahogany. Then it is lined with cedar.”

Scott Phillips
Lake Alfred, FL
“Park bench made of Pine”

Ray Schulte
The Flying RC Ranch And Farms
Spokane WA
“I purchased pine blanks from you. I turned them into 2 11” platters, 3 bowls, and a lid with a hand caved pull.”

Gilbert Hebert
Rogersville, AL
“I make wood kitchen utensils mostly out of hickory and walnut. I sale them at craft shows as a supplement to my retirement. The doll house was made for my granddaughter. I made it out of hickory. She loves it and plays with it every day. The cradle was made of hickory, walnut, and cherry. Was May for my newest grandson. He has grown out of it but on taking his nap in it ( I like to think because Paw Paw made it )”

Dawn Spurgeon
Rhinelander, WI
“We used kiln sticks to make some cutting boards. The first picture is a bread board with oak ends, cumaru, garapa, ipe, itauba, oiticica, tatajuba and two stripes of bloodwood. The second and third boards are woven together. Using the above kiln sticks, woven with brownheart, black palm, maple, woven with padauk.”

Clyde Robbins
Rock Hall, MD
“The floating mantle is made from three 7 foot plantation teak decking with a 1 foot piece used as end caps. Glued, clamped, sanded and oiled. Pieces of 2X6 were cut and glued in the box at the location of the studs in the wall that were used for mounting. 10 inch pieces of all-thread went into holes in the 2X6 and the wall studs.”

Les Lively
Lively Fine Furniture
Port Charlotte, FL
“I am a veteran woodworking artist based in Hood River, Oregon and port charlotte Florida.I have a passion for fine woodworking with a goal to provide pieces to individuals who appreciate originally designed pieces that are unique and “one of a kind”. My influence is Art Deco and Arts & Crafts, with modern twists, emphasizing elegant lines and intricate details, including inlay, dovetail corners, and mortise & tenon joints. I use domestic and exotic hardwoods and veneers, selecting species for grain, color and texture.”

Lewis Lokitz
Cary, NC
“This is an epoxy/wood family room table. I used a piece of live edge mahogany that i cut into pieces. Removed the bark on the live edge. Built a leak proof form 30 x 42. I placed the pieces in the form that i thought showed off the pieces and gave symmetry. I then put clamps in place to prevent wood from lifting. I mixed the epoxy, added green pigment little by little and poured it into the form with different color density. I sanded the piece once removed from the form up to 3000 grit. I rourted the edge built legs stained them the added them to the table. The picture is the finished product. The pyramid on the table is also epoxy with a small stone native american statue inside.”