EAST LONGMEADOW – Chet Chin has been a resident of East Longmeadow for almost five years. A retired teacher and Air Force veteran, Chin took up woodworking to keep himself occupied and to learn a new hobby.

“After retiring, I needed things to do, so I decided I would try woodworking and I’ve been doing it for about three years. I never did it before so I thought this was a complete change of pace for me,” said Chin.

He now crafts items such as wall art, ornaments, signs and more each week. Chin said that he doesn’t run this as a business, but he does frequently post his completed items on his Facebook page and in local Facebook groups for others to see.

“I make things mostly to make myself happy and other people happy. Most of the stuff that I make I give away as gifts,” he said.

Chin said most of his crafts are under 12 inches, but he has done a few customizable pieces for residents such as raised garden beds and a poolside table. He recently had a successful fall clearance sale to clear out inventory before the winter months.

“I get a lot of community support. I get a lot of likes on some of the things that I make, not necessarily a sale, which is okay with me because I’m not really making them to sell. A lot of the stuff I keep for myself to put around and enjoy,” said Chin.

For the holidays, Chin said he has been crafting many snowmen and ornaments for the community.

“I don’t paint them. I don’t finish them so other people can let their kids paint and it becomes a family project,” he said.

For the items he does sell, Chin said he usually doesn’t charge over $20.
According to Chin, his woodworking hobby is something that makes him happy and that he is proud of.

“The key for me is being happy. If I can be happy or make someone else happy that pretty much drives what I’m going to make,” he said. “I like to see people happy.”

Those interested in learning more about Chin or seeing examples of his work are encouraged to visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/n1xpt.