For Daniel Dojlidko, the inspiration that would stay with him for the rest of his life struck in middle school—specifically, in woodshop class. As a teenager, he commandeered his parents’ basement, honing his skills as he completed various woodworking projects.
“I’ve always been designing and building,” he says.
Dojlidko, who moved to Flemington when he was 7, returned to town as an adult after college and continued to pursue woodworking outside his day job as a computer engineer. In 2020, he launched Creative Spruce Woodworking to bring his designs to a larger community.
His work includes cutting boards, charcuterie boards, coasters, wooden utensils and heirloom-quality furniture crafted from locally salvaged walnut, cherry and maple.
“It’s art with function,” he says. “Every piece is handmade, designed to honor the story of the wood and built to last for generations,” he says.
Dojlidko also uses epoxy to create unique patterns and colors.
“To make a statement out of it,” he says.
Looking for a favorite wooden toy from childhood? Dojlidko can recreate it. He also works with clients to design custom pieces, including desks, coffee tables, dining tables and dressers.
“I can create pieces with different colors and sizes,” he says. “For example, one customer who is a musician wanted me to create a board shaped like a guitar with green epoxy to blend in with their kitchen.”
Creative Spruce Woodworking can be found at retail locations throughout Hunterdon County, including The Corner in Flemington and Frenchtown Home & Hardware Store; Union County, including Linda’s Gift Shop in New Providence; Morris County, including Just Jersey in Morristown; Monmouth County, including Red Bank Artisan Collective; and in stores across the state line in Pennsylvania. You may have also seen Dojlidko’s designs at artisan fairs and craft markets.
Now, Dojlidko is instilling his love of the art form in his 4-year-old son, Jack, who spends time alongside him in his garage studio.
“He helps me load the trucks with lumber, sand and sort colors,” he says.
Jack is one of the many reasons Dojlidko is happy he returned to Flemington.
“I love that it’s quiet and relaxing here. You don’t feel like you have to rush around, and we can go to places like Lambertville for a nice dinner,” he says. “Since it’s the country, there is a lot of open space. My son loves watching the foxes running around the neighborhood.”
Explore Dojlidko’s designs at creativesprucewoodworking.com.