By Kat Fragoso

Handmade charcuterie boards, cigar trays, and serving platters - oh my!! Casa Cherrywood Carvings serves up genuinely authentic and beautiful wood pieces to add to the ambiance of any home. And lest we not forget about her handmade resin art! Owner Sabrina Santiago brings her passion to life through her process called “functional art”. Keep reading for more about @casacherrywoodcarvings!!

NYHC: Tell us about what you make.

Sabrina Santiago: I make a range of what I like to call “functional art”which ranges from Charcuterie Boards from an assortment of exotic woods, to a diverse selection of resin artwork.

NYHC: Where do you live?

SS: I have lived in Yonkers for 17 years. I’m originally from the Bronx, NYC and moved north a few years after my first son was born.

NYHC: What is unique or different about your process and/or designs?

SS: Since 2016, I only took on woodworking as a hobby. During the COVID-19 pandemic, after being laid off, I shifted my hobby into my full time business.

NYHC: Do you have any favorite pieces? What makes them special to you?

SS: In April of 2020, I was given a discarded dining table. Being a hardcore Game of Thrones fan, I decided to carve the Maps from the series into the surface, The rest, as they say, is history.

NYHC: What is your favorite tool or supply?

SS: I would have to say my favorite tool in my shop is my Litchenberg Machine. This tool creates intricate patterns in my wood surfaces. The most enjoyable part of the process are the electrical patterns the current generates. They are unpredictable, but the results are rewarding.

NYHC: Is there a new piece/opportunity/change that you're excited about?

SS: Being that this is my first year as a small business, the approaching holiday season is a huge opportunity to look forward to.

NYHC: What advice or tips can you share with other makers?

SS: It’s important to engage with the small business community for ideas and inspiration. Just following individuals isn’t enough. Conversations are key so you can filter what applies to you and what you’re attempting.

NYHC: Share an important lesson you've learned from running your business.

SS: Running a small business is not a 9-5. You will only get back as much as you put in. Hold yourself to account if the goal is maximum results.