Nowadays, it is difficult to find time to do what you love—everyone wants a career that they are passionate about. If you are lucky, sometimes a hobby can turn into a business, cultivated through creativity.  At the San Diego County Fair, this realization was possible for many in the “Designs in Wood” part of the event.

According to the North County Times, the Fair features what organizers call the “largest woodworking display in the country”—and perhaps even the world.  Each year woodworkers from all over the nation enter their pieces for judging in 21 different competitive categories.  Many audience members come to explore the items on exhibition or to learn about a potential hobby through the daily demonstrations. 

Viewers are allowed to purchase some of the amazing woodwork, but only the ones that are marked.  However, some of the asking prices are high, including $53,000 for a rocking chair made of ancient Kauri wood from northern New Zealand.  Other items included beautiful sculptures, wall art, furniture, and musical instruments.  In addition, small groups gathered to view the chair-making and caning, intricate ship-building, and scroll-working demonstrations going on throughout the day.

For these intricate woodworkers they know that using particular materials and tools during the job can be dangerous at times.  Whether woodworking or being a fulltime contractor is your hobby or your occupation, it is important for your business to be protected from whatever mishaps may occur.