Jon Saulson’s Snellville basement could be the Southern version of Santa’s Workshop.
In a room about the size of a small bedroom, Saulson puts his woodworking skills to use, creating thousands of mostly one-of-a-kind toys and gifts.
In another, he stains the wooden animals, puzzles, games and figurines, wraps them, and packs them in one of 130 large cardboard boxes for future delivery,
“I try to spread the joy,” said Saulson, a retired educator. “I like to see people smile.”
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
By December, Saulson, 70, will have donated more than 2,300 of his creations this year to area churches, temples and organizations, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Jewish Family & Children Services and Goodwill of Atlanta.
Deputies with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department keep toys Saulson makes in their patrol cars to give out to children they meet, sometimes in trying circumstances, said Shannon Volkodav, the department’s spokeswoman.
“Jon has a heart of gold,” she said. “He doesn’t want to do it as a business. He doesn’t want to sell these creations for a profit. He genuinely has more joy giving them away.”
Born in Orlando, Saulson grew up in Miami Beach, where a junior high woodshop class instilled in him the skills and an interest in woodworking that have lasted him a lifetime.
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
During a career that began as a classroom teacher, Saulson put his woodworking hobby to work for some of his students.
It was the mid-1970s, and he was working with children in DeKalb County who had severe autism and emotional problems.
Saulson began noticing that the students became mentally drained around midday.
“I thought: Why not get them to use their eyes and hands more?" he said.
Saulson decided he would teach the students woodworking, a skill that incorporates lessons in numbers, following step-by-step instructions, tools, colors, cooperation and much more.
“All the parents were for it,” Saulson said. “The kids enjoyed it, and they learned.”
The challenge was to convince the school administration to break away from the standard models of teaching, he said.
Once Saulson married and had daughter Jessica “Jes,” now 37, his hobby largely took a backseat to other things, and most woodworking he did related to home improvement projects. However, when Jes was 4 or 5, the two did eke out some time to escape to the basement to make some toys and “art” projects, he said.
Saulson has retired three times. The last time was in 2016, and it was then that he says “I really got into woodworking big time.”
He began by amassing 25 huge notebooks of potential creations – everything from birdhouses to toy trucks, boats, and airplanes to unique wine bottle holders with animal motifs and animal mailboxes, puzzles, games and figurines.
“I flip through my notebooks, get an inspiration and then I’m off to work,” Saulson said.
Rarely will he make the same thing twice, unless he has a special request from a family member or organization.
“Typically, once made, the challenge is somewhat diminished,” Saulson said.
He usually works in his basement four to five hours a day, four days a week.
He makes most of his creations in one to three hours with stain, rarely paint, and screws or bolts but never nails. There are exceptions, of course. Two of his favorite creations – a polar bear rocker and a 3-in-1 rocking horse, high chair and desk each took about a week to draw, redesign, build and finish.
Wife Kathy Pittman never complains about the time or money that he spends, and it’s a lot of both, Saulson said. She even assists when he heads out to deliver his creations to any organization that asks, as well as to doctors, dentists, family and friends, and others he meets.
“I hate, hate, hate to receive," Saulson said. “I did even as a child.”
Giving – and the joy it can bring – is much more pleasurable, he said.
For years, Saulson’s family and friends have encouraged him to create a website and sell his creations. He has balked at the idea.
“It turns it into a job, and I’m done – I think – with working,” Saulson said.
He does have an Instagram account, Yes I wood by Jon, and will occasionally sell his creations if specifically asked.
For instance, he once designed a Christmas ornament as a gift for a local business. The business owner loved it enough to pay him to make 100 just like it.
“Ouch. Never again will I make so many of the same thing,” he said. “Boring.”
Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Phil Skinner
More about Jon Saulson
Woodworking has been something Saulson has had a passion for since he took a course in junior high school.
What does he get out of it? “Pure joy, satisfaction, and a sense of making others happy.”
Saulson has his Ph.D. in special education administration, his master’s degree in special education (emotional or behavioral disorders), and his bachelor’s degree in secondary education, all from the University of Florida
He has retired three times: Gwinnett County Public Schools in 2004 (age 54); Oglethorpe University in 2009 (age 59); Mercer University in 2016 (age 66)
Want to receive one of his creations that he’s giving away? Or know of a charity in need? Let him know at yesiwoodbyjon@aol.com.
About the Author
