What is your name?
Eric & Lauren Woods
What is the name of your business?
Buffalo History Buff
How did you end up in Buffalo? Are you a Buffalo native?
Lauren is a native Buffalonian. Eric is originally from Long Island, but has now been in Buffalo more than half of his life, and has felt like a Buffalonian nearly from the first day he moved here.
How did you become a ShopCraft member?
Original ShopCraft founding member Christa (of C Designs) is a long-time arts & crafts show friend, and was nice enough to invite us to be a part of ShopCraft, initially as a short-term consignee during a special event, but soon thereafter as a full member.
In what way(s) is your work and/or lifestyle environmentally friendly?
Buffalo History Buff takes environmental friendliness to the extreme. We are effectively a recycling business, as all of our prints are reproductions. Furthermore, we are conversationally committed to re-using and re-purposing old jokes whenever possible. Lastly, we are committed to reaching carbon neutrality, by producing Ethanol directly from the “corniness” of our jokes, stories, and puns. No but in seriousness, we maximize our supply use by carefully laying out cutting of mat board and printing to avoid waste. Additionally all of our displays are vintage crates .
What does it mean to you to be a member of an artist collective like ShopCraft?
As a business, in the business of doing business, business can happen anywhere. Being a member of an artist collective like ShopCraft gives our business more meaning. At arts & crafts shows the sole focus is your product, when a customer comes in to your tent, the goal is to help them find something of yours to buy. At ShopCraft, the focus shifts to helping the customer find what they are looking for. Additionally, joining forces with other artists and artisans has allowed us to have ownership in how our work is presented in a brick & mortar retail environment. Collaboration, open sharing of best practices and raw material sourcing, discussions on business opportunities, and fostering a community of simpatico entrepreneurs whom might otherwise have considered themselves competitors are all intrinsically part of the ShopCraft experience.
How do you order your wings?
Like any good parents, wings are ordered with the children in mind. The eight year old is working his way up the Duff’s scale and is currently up to medium. He has been informed that suicidal isn’t allowed until he is 18. The six year old goes for BBQ, as he values his taste buds. Thankfully, the ten year old (and her parents) will have a little of each with extra blue cheese and malt vinegar for the fries.
What is the most meaningful thing a customer/client has said to you about your work?
We have a few regular customers. One customer in particular came to our booth for the first time, the day prior to her moving to New York to join her boyfriend. She picked a couple of images, to put on the walls in her new apartment, to remind her of home. We had a lengthy and heartfelt discussion of how the art would also serve as a notice to her boyfriend, of where they belong. Several times a year, she would find us at whatever arts & crafts show we were at when she came to town for a visit. Each time we’d talk about how long it would be before they would be ready to move to Buffalo. As the walls became fuller, boyfriend became fiancée, fiancée became husband, and this year husband will become a Buffalonian. This is why Buffalo History Buff exists.
What about Buffalo inspires you?
City of good neighbors. It’s not just a phrase, it’s real, and it is surely the most inspirational Buffalo experience. Great architecture, neighborhoods, four seasons, lovely parks, great food & music are all bonuses, it’s the people that make Buffalo.
What is your super power?
In the great words of Will “Megamind” Ferrell, “Super heroes aren’t born, they’re made”. Regrettably my maker failed to give me a first name alliterate to my last, and as such, I shall never be detailed in a graphic novelization. My super power is the knowledge gained from great introspective reflection that I was made super powerless.
What is your favorite charitable organization?
As a firm believer that charity begins at home, Habitat for Humanity is my favorite charitable organization.
Tell us a joke:
Why did the cow cross the road? Because she was “moooooo”-ving. –From the 10-year old daughter.
What is your most prized possession?
You know, as a family with three adorable, intelligent young children, it should go without saying that our most prized possession would have to be our 44″ Epson SureColor P9000 printer. It doesn’t talk back, make a mess, get in trouble, hurt anyone, or interrupt the Bills game. It did once have an error message during a Sabres game, but this year that’s welcome.
