By Whitney Barnes
Staff Writer

In a unique blend of public service and craftmanship, one local police officer not only keeps his community safe but also shapes it in a different way — through the art of woodworking.

Patrol Sergeant James Mongar, a member of the Marshall Police Department and owner of Mongar Made Woodcrafting LLC, moved to Marshall in 2010 with his wife. Facing financial challenges and in need of furniture, Mongar quite literally took matters into his own hands.

“I got started with woodworking out of kind of a necessity, really,” he said. “We were kind of broke, my wife and I, and we needed a new bed frame, we needed shelves for a place we were living at the time. I just started building things that we needed.”

As he honed his skills, Mongar uncovered a passion for woodworking. He found that the hobby offered a sense of relaxation outside of his daily job. By utilizing resources like YouTube, he continued to refine his craft, allowing him to grow and develop into what his business is today.

“YouTube was a huge help for me,” he said. “I’m a visual learner, so being able to see someone walk through the steps on smaller projects, and even some larger projects, it was able to help me understand how to do different things.”

The couple officially launched their business in 2020, offering a variety of items all handcrafted by Mongar in his garage, which he converted into a shop.

“We offer a lot of small handmade gift-type things,” he said. “Cutting boards, pens, bowls, and I make signs.”

While small items like cutting boards are his most popular items, Mongar also crafts larger custom-made pieces and refinishes furniture. He sells his items online through social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Squarespace. You can also see Mongar’s work at local craft fairs several times a year.

“We do three or four craft fairs a year,” he said. “We typically stay pretty close to Marshall on those. For now, with littles, and other responsibilities, that seems to be a pretty good balance for us.”

Like any business, Mongar has faced unique challenges. He said the biggest challenge for him is knowing when to turn down a project.

“Sometimes when the orders are pretty heavy, or we have quite a few of them all at once, keeping up with those can be challenging at times,” he said. “But that’s where my wife really seems to shine, is keeping me organized and on task.”

Mongar said his favorite part of woodworking is the creative aspect: being able to make and build things with his own two hands.

“There’s just a lot of flexibility, because there’s more than one way to make something most of the time in woodworking,” he said. “And no two projects are the same. There’s always something new.”

Mongar also incorporates technology into his woodworking, utilizing a laser engraver and a machine known as CNC. According to insidethekerf.com, CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, a technology that uses specialized software to precisely cut, shape, and carve wood materials. Unlike traditional woodworking tools that require manual manipulation, a CNC machine operates through programmed instructions, using computer-controlled machines to cut, shape or assemble wood through the use of a series of tools such as routers and saws.

“If I can draw it on a computer screen, I can direct a computer-controlled machine to cut it,” he explained.

For those interested in learning the craft of woodworking, Mongar’s advice is simple: just get started.

“It doesn’t have to be a perfect project. You don’t have to have the fanciest tools or the most tools, there’s ways to get around that.” he said. “If it’s something you’re interested in and you want to try it, just get started.”

To view the products offered by Mongar or to contact him for a custom-made product, visit Mongar Made Woodcrafting, LLC on Facebook.

“We are always open for a project,” he said. “We’re always open to new challenges. So if it’s something someone saw, and they’re not sure if they want to tackle it, we’re always happy to look at it.”