“Fidget with Joy!” Frame for Waverly
2026-01-23
“Fidget with Joy!” — A Custom Framed Fidget Board for Waverly
A woodworking project built with warm finish, and real-world fit for a care home environment.
Project Background
Cheryl’s mother had been living at Waverly, a place that meant a great deal to her family. After her mother passed away, Cheryl wanted to give something back — not as a formality, but as a sincere thank-you to the people and environment that had been there during that time.
She chose a fidget board and asked me to build a wooden frame that would present it properly and work safely within the space. There was a specific date in mind for when the piece would be shared, so the timing mattered. At the same time, what mattered more was that the finished piece felt right — calm, welcoming, and respectful of where it would live.
My role wasn’t just to build a frame, but to listen carefully and translate her intention into something tangible.
What Cheryl Needed
- Stable and safe: A solid frame with legs sized for stability.
- Movable: Casters so staff can reposition it when needed.
- Care-home fit: Designed to match the real environment at Waverly (clearances, movement, usability).
- Thoughtful finish: Warm, clean, and durable — made with the care appropriate for something being given.
Planning & Design (3 Meetings)
We talked through the purpose and overall idea: what Cheryl wanted the gift to represent, how it would be used, and what “good” would look like in the final result.
After the fidget board arrived, we confirmed the exact size, weight, and quality. That allowed me to finalize proportions and structure without guessing.
We visited Waverly so I could design for the real environment — the right caster type, practical clearances, and details like openings/holes that needed to work in that space.
Design sketches
Before Installation
Build Details
Cheryl trusted me to move forward based on how I understood what she wanted. I shared stain color samples during the build, and the final choice reflected her feedback and preferences. From there, every decision followed the same intention: practical, warm, and carefully considered — something that feels better than expected when seen in person.
Finished Result
Presented at Waverly
Seeing Cheryl and her family present this together at Waverly was the best part of the project. That moment is what the work was for.
Client Review
Masa, I can’t thank you enough for your amazing, professional work on the fidget board! You did this in such a timely manner and we are THRILLED that our family got to present this to Waverly together!
My Focus:
I try to do something simple: make the final result feel better than expected. That’s the standard I hold myself to — especially on projects that carry emotional weight.
It’s not about making things fancy. It’s about listening carefully, planning properly, and building in a way that respects the purpose of the project and the people who will use it.
When that’s done well, the result doesn’t need explanation. It simply feels right — and that’s where real delight comes from.
Have a Meaningful Woodworking Idea?
If you’re thinking about a project that needs a careful approach — for a home, a family member, or a community space — I’d be happy to talk it through.