New Lenox Boy, 9, Creates Woodworking Business

NEW LENOX, IL — At 9 years old, Chris Arnold has already been practicing his woodworking skills for years. The Bentley Elementary School student has even created his own business called Elementary Woodworkers, where he has items for sale and also offers custom orders.

"I wanted to build my own darts," Chris told Patch. From darts, he moved on to pens, pizza cutters, wine bottle stoppers and coffee scoopers.

When Chris was 4, he and his dad, Rob, built a nightstand together. Since then, Chris has just continued to learn more about woodworking, although his dad still operates the power tools.

Chris has also received attention from the village of New Lenox about his work. He requested a meeting with Mayor Tim Baldermann in June, and asked to hold a young entrepreneurs business fair.

"He showed me these incredible pens and pizza cutters made from acrylic and wood," Baldermann said at the June 22 village board meeting.

Baldermann said a fair could be looked at in the future, but suggested Chris have a table at the upcoming Ladies Night Out event in the New Lenox Commons on Aug. 21.

"Just really talented, this young man," Baldermann said.

Chris has also attended a few craft fairs in the area to showcase his wares. After deciding to create a Facebook page to sell his products, he even created his own sign, which can be seen in the photo above.

Chris said he works with multiple types of wood and also uses acrylic in some of his work.

You can learn more about Elementary Woodworkers and see Chris' work on his Facebook page.