LYNdhurst Laser Engraving
Marilynn Wykes & Holly Wykes, Owners
facebook.com/lyndhurstlaser/
3336 County Road 3, Lyndhurst ON, K0E 1N0
613-803-5066
lyndhurstlaser@gmail.com
Tell us about yourself! Hobbies? Fun facts? How did you get started?
My name is Marilynn Wykes and I have been a woodworker most of my life. I learned how to swing a hammer and use a hand saw from my dad when I was knee-high to...well...my dad; grasshoppers are not very tall, so I’ve always been taller than a grasshopper’s knees. I took woodworking all the way through high school; and was the only girl in the class. I took a four-year diversion to study photographic arts at Ryerson University.
I started my first woodworking business designing, building and installing wooden screen doors eventually graduating to making furniture. I decided my aging body prefers to make smaller items, so I learned how to make my own wooden veneers and started making decorative veneered keepsake boxes. I had a couple of these boxes laser engraved for a special someone and fell in love with the idea that I should have a laser engraving machine, until I found out the price of one! And about a dozen years pass, I investigated lasers again and it’s still really pricey!
My hobbies include woodworking, food, pickleball, and figuring out how to laser engrave almost everything.
Fun facts - I now have a really cool laser engraving machine! I built a passive house with my partner and everyone thought we were crazy. Other than that, I’d have to consult with friends and family for any further fun facts because I think I spend too much time in my workshop to be much fun.
How did we get started? Here’s where I introduce my sister Holly. She is a retired teacher. She loves gardening so much that she took a part-time job in a garden centre after retirement. She has over 115 species of hostas in her home garden. To keep track of them all she would paint their names on round stones. One day I dropped in for a visit and she was in the middle of a marathon painting session and she said, “I want to get a laser engraver to do this”. You can probably surmise the rest. What’s amazing to me is that this one machine can engrave wood and stone and almost everything in between!
Holly is the sales force. I operate the machine. Together we make a good team; like we always have since childhood.
Define your business in your own words.
We offer custom laser engraving for a variety of products/materials. Wood, glassware, drinkware, cork, plastic, leather, electronic devices and more. If we can fit it in the machine, we probably can engrave it!
What makes us unique is the ability to make custom wooden products that can be personalized in countless ways. Keepsake boxes, time capsule boxes, cremation urns for pets and people, charcuterie & cutting boards, and coasters, lots of coasters, are the most common things we do.
What business achievement are you most proud of?
We are just a couple of enthusiastic hobbyists that stumbled our way into a small business. People seem to like what we offer. We are still too new at this to have a proudest moment. We’ll get back to you on this.
Why did you choose Leeds and the Thousand Islands to start your business?
This is where my home is, and my workshop is an extension of my home, just outside of Lyndhurst.
What words would you use to describe Leeds and the Thousand Islands?
Captivating, charismatic and bewitching.
Provide a message to your future guests!
We can help you make your statement. From personal gifting to corporate promotion. Custom is Cool.
LYNdhurst Laser Engraving described in one word:
Made-to-order