Once Upon a Workbench

03/02/2024

Made a lot of progress on the Hobbit Hole today, but now it’s movie night and needs to be used for more important things

02/10/2023

New video! Made a lantern from Tears of the Kingdom

While playing Tears of the Kingdom, I saw some lanterns in Link's house, and wanted to make one of my own.THANKS:My patrons for all your supportSUPPORT:Get t...

26/08/2023

Sketchup and therapy. Winning combination at the moment

27/07/2023

New tool in my shop, that just serves as an another example that I’m trying to get to be proud of me

12/07/2023

Everything went wrong with this project. No joke, I almost through this project out the window 628 times.

12/06/2023

A new adventure came a callin’ when my in-laws discovered a foundation behind their new house, and so I’m building another playhouse. That makes two playhouses I’m building this year. Each will be a blast to build!

08/05/2023

Still feel surreal

23/04/2023

It’s my birthday! And to celebrate I just released a video on my Once Upon a Workbench channel making this Pokémon feel better box for my son!

05/12/2022

Unpacking and came across a USB with a video I made 7 years about about having been making YouTube videos for 7 years. I’ve been making content for YouTube for 14 years now. Craziness

24/11/2022

Open the doors of my new cabinet and you’ll see the most epic thing I’ve probably ever built - A God of War inspired hand tool cabinet. The doors show the stories of the things we have built over the years, and golden handprints as a backdrop to my tools. Can’t say how thankful I am for the help did modeling and did on the amazing metalwork

28/10/2022

Just released a video where I made the Ninjago Blades of Deliverance out of wood. You should check it out!

05/09/2022

I just put out a video where I made a mid century Minecraft TV stand for my booth at Maker Faire. You should go check it out

26/05/2022

Good times, good times

07/05/2022

My current project is one I just finished. I have a trip coming up and had this weird desire to make a wallet, so I did. This one can carry camera cards or Switch cartridges. Things I learned:
1 - I am not good at leather crafting
2 - I enjoy leather crafting
3 - I probably did everything all wrong, but it turned out ok regardless. Janky for sure, but passable
4 - after embossing my wallet I realized I need a simpler logo (hint hint )
5 - I want to make this again later, the right way, might even make a video out of it

04/05/2022

I made a Star Wars thing for Star Wars day!

03/05/2022

My shop space is a lot like many others: a corner in my garage. Regardless I’ve tried to make it my own, whether showcasing all the stickers of amazing people I’ve met over the years, making shelves that look like a level in donkey Kong, or making a wall of just wood cutoffs with lights from Legend of Zelda, my workspace is definitely mine

02/05/2022

Hi! I’m Donovan. I haven’t put out a lot of content lately so I’m gonna try this thing with an introduction to start.

I’m a geek, and I make things. I make videos of me making things and then put those videos on YouTube. They are pretty fun, you should watch a few.

I’m also a dad, a video editor, gamer, neeeeerd, movie enthusiast, podcast host, Chinese teacher, content director, and between all that I sometimes sleep.

29/04/2022

Learning Sketchup has been interesting. I wanted to start with something interesting and basic, so I made a Lego. Then I made 2. Then I made a variety of Lego pieces. Then I pulled out some of my instructions and started assembling a set. After I made the U-Wing I took it into Twinmotion and added some texture, put it in a scene, and presto! First project done

29/04/2022

I started learning Sketchup again last week and got challenged to take part in the and make a Star Wars model in Sketchup. So here is my first Sketchup model - a Lego Star Wars U-Wing (the coolest ship in Star Wars!)

05/04/2022

Made a color matching game for my daughter as a fun way to distract her while I work. Video for the project is up now on YouTube

05/04/2022

Needed a way to keep my kids distracted while I work, so I made one
https://youtu.be/FcIPxnRXAt0

I needed a way to distract my kids while I try to work from home, so I made a game to be a fun distraction while I get work done!--- Get the files and suppor...

31/03/2022

So fun being able to edit for someone like Jess

Hello, friends! The NO TOOL TABLE is here!(Well, I am lying. We use a couple of small tools that are all under $200…) However, using MakerPoxy Epoxy Resin by...

26/03/2022

Did you see my video where I made a chalkboard noodle board? It’s even got hardwood herringbone! You should go watch it 😁

20/03/2022

Had some spare hardwood sitting around and decided to make a noodle board
https://youtu.be/Kmu08GY0JNY

I wanted to make a noodle board stove cover, and so used some hardwood scraps I've been saving and put one together---Get the files and support my videos: ht...

07/03/2022

New video, taking a left turn from geek-diy and trying some dad-diy
https://youtu.be/lSIgutePibA

We ran out of bookshelf space in our house, so I wanted to see if I could build some cute kid's bookcases in a day.---Get the files and support my videos: ht...

07/03/2022

Would this be considered an ad for an ad? Asking for a friend...

27/02/2022

Tag your favorite maker!
I can’t say enough about this community. The amount of talent and encouragement and endless support and creativity is beyond describable. You all make me a better person

26/02/2022

and I put together an ARG treasure hunt for here at so if you’re here come get a card. If you’re not here I’ll put out a video soon showing you all the puzzles

10/02/2022

Want to send a HUGE thanks to for some amazing stuff to help me feel more manly - even if I can’t grow a beard