Greer Kickstarter Business Recycles Wood for Art

Step into Michael Standridge's workshop and you'll see why he's working so hard to move his dream out of his garage and into a bigger space.

The cramped quarters don't deter the artist at work. He's on a mission to create something beautiful from things that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

Standridge left his job six months ago to start his own business, American Echoes. He's trying to raise money through Kickstarter, which provides tools to raise funds for creative projects, to buy equipment and to employ some help. 

Visit American Echoes Kickstarter page by clicking here. 

"We are trying to bring jobs back here," Standridge said. "We are reclaiming something that would otherwise go to waste."

Standridge talks about walking through an old mill in the area and picturing what it was like in its heyday. 

"We want to reclaim that sense of that determined spirit and remind people about what made this country great," he said. "And in a way, we are going to do that with the people we want to employ." 

Scraps of wood flooring, bags of powdered milk paint and large pieces of sandpaper are organized in bins and shelves. Standridge said the materials would have been thrown away, but instead, his former employer, Anderson Floors, which was acquired by Shaw Industries, is allowing him to use them in his art.

From the products that Anderson Floors throws away, Standridge sees new life. He takes the scraps of wood cut from custom wood flooring and uses them to make heirloom quality flags to be used for home decor. Standridge grew up in a patriotic family, so the quality and the care in building each one is a personal since of pride.

Like a prep cook, Standridge cuts the strips of wood to the proper length. He sands the ends, then runs the strip of wood down a router to round all the edges. He quickly mixes a powered paint and water, working it to the right consistency. He dabs the paint on to each surface, careful to cover every spot of the wood.

Strips of painted wood are drying on the racks behind him. He grabs the pieces that are ready for the next step. With the whir of a hand sander, Standridge smooths the edges and brings out the grain of the wood. The strips are assembled into a flag. The finishing details will come next. A coat of stain to bring out the woods' natural beauty, followed by a coat of wax. Standridge wipes on the stain and then quickly wipes it away. He then applies the wax to seal the paint.

It's a process that takes hours with one person, but one that could provide jobs for some very special people.

Standridge is working with Evergreen Skills, a program that provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with training and vocational skills to hopefully one day introduce them to the workplace.

"These are people who want to work, that at times aren't given the opportunity to work," Standridge said. "I want to teach them a skill, give them an opportunity to make some money and in the end have a sense of pride about the work they are doing and the things they are helping to create."

Standridge has already purchased two pieces of equipment for Evergreen clients to use. A table saw for cutting the wood and a vacuum that pulls the excess sawdust out of the air.

Standridge, along with Scott Brewington, the director of the center, has started working with a couple of the men in the center. Teach them how to cut the wood for the flags. 

It's work that Brewington is thankful to have for the men and women at Evergreen. 

"I think they enjoy being busy, it makes them feel like their day is meaningful," Brewington says. "And it puts a little money in their pocket at the end of the week."

Brewington said he's excited about the possibilities that the new business could bring to the center. He said it's a risk he's not sure another new business owner would want to take. He said he met Standridge about a year ago to talk about he project and wants to do all he can to help him succeed.

"Michael really wants to help us," Brewington said. "If he's successful, he's going to be a great example for us to hold up to people and say look what we did to help this small business. What can we do to help your business?"