August might feel early, but if your maker business relies on Q4, holiday prep starts right now! In this episode of Whatcha Makin’, Alex Duffey (Duffey Woodcraft) and Alex Adams (Type A Furniture) dive deep into getting your shop, inventory, and booth ready for the busiest craft fair and market season of the year.

In this episode, we cover:

• Holiday Prep Masterclass: How to hunt down raw material deals early, stock up on essential parts/hardware (and manage long lead times), streamline backstock, design efficient booth layouts, and when to hire seasonal help for market day.
• On the Bench: Alex Duffey is batching whiskey smokers, cedar soap dishes, and hundreds of laser-cut earrings—plus landing a local retail display. Alex Adams is dialing in PETG prints for outdoor markets, custom hitch covers, and prepping display items for the 4-day county fair.
• What’s Breaking: 3D print collisions, stripped aluminum threads during CNC tramming, and CNC bit wander causing oval cuts.
• Maker Spotlight: Amazing work from @ellynwooddesigns, @corbancraft, @edek_woodcarving, @geppettosguild, @houseoftimber, and @ladywoodgoods.
• Maker News & Events: Our shift to a bi-weekly episode schedule, upcoming woodworking events (IWF Atlanta, Handworks, Texas Woodworking Fest, Vectric User Group, Maker Camp), and derby car ideas!