Barnes Woodcraft

10/07/2023

It’s Autumn on Parade weekend in Oregon, so dad (Emmett) has sure been on our mind. Working with him in the booth was always a happy occasion, and one I and many in the family looked forward to each year for decades. My husband and I took a drive down there this afternoon to reminisce, and despite the chill in the air, it was still sunny and was as packed as ever! Oh, I remember working that booth side by side on dreary, rainy days where we were bundled up in our long underwear and winter coats! And dad always had his thermos of hot coffee. So this weather today was actually pretty nice 💖

On the drive down, I picked up my phone to check my Facebook and there was a notification from the Junction Eating Place in Dekalb (dad’s routine Sunday night supper place with the boys) saying that Barnes Woodcraft had been tagged; that was very unusual…in fact the first time I can remember receiving such a notification…and even though it was just a tag that went out to everybody about their menu, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I received that at that moment 🙏🏻

It just wouldn’t seem right to let an Autumn on Parade go by without a photo of dad and his booth, and since he’s obviously saying hi, to share that with all of you 💖 And along with a couple photos of today’s crowd, here’s another photo I found of his sister, my aunt Doris, working the booth with him many years ago ❤️

Hi back, dad; sure love and miss you 🥰

05/07/2022

Oh my goodness; look at this treasure I just found in my dad’s belongings. A detailed drawing of the Kountry Kitchen (now the Shabbona Cafe) he did in 1993. ❤️ He captured everything. He even has the table of the guys playing dice. I wonder if any of you are in it! He loved that cafe and all the people so. I hear they put a nameplate in the bar at the counter where he sat. We need to visit soon. Such wonderful people, his other family ❤️

12/31/2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dad’s friends! It is a bittersweet season for us all missing our beloved dad, grandfather, husband, though we are also thankful that he is in a better place and his love, and memories of his teachings, laughter and smile are always with us 💖

I wanted to share this with you all since it warms our hearts so much that our beloved dad’s legacy goes on and on. Besides many family members receiving gifts of dad’s woodcrafts that were purchased from the auction, bringing many smiles, we just received a message from Emmett’s grandson Josh, wife DeAnn (who is the son of Emmett’s youngest daughter, Nola) that besides saving a couple for his children to give to their children, “a lot of 'jalopy' trucks that we won from grandpa's estate sale was donated to the local Boys and Girls Club in Raleigh (NC). Hopefully it will bring joy to some underprivileged kids in the area.” Our hearts are warmed. Grandpa Emmett must be so proud ❤️

We are so thankful for all the joy you brought our father. Blessings to you all 🙏🏻

10/28/2021

Hi friends. My sisters and I have finally been going through dad’s things and I thought you might like a little visit from our dad Emmett ❤️ So here’s just one of many things he crafted that I thought might bring you a smile. He loved recreating old-fashioned toys with his spin to them. At the computer drawing his plans, then to the shop to make those ideas come to life. We love them 🥰

07/21/2021

I was just sent this video and it warmed my heart. This is a grandson of Emmett’s nephew playing with Emmett’s basketball game, and winning! Those wooden toys last for many, many years. Emmett’s legacy continues ❤️

05/03/2021

https://bearrows.hibid.com/catalog/280104/emmett-barnes-estate---shabbona-il---woodcrafter/

Buy At Auction. Red Wood Crafted Combine Flower Planter 36” L x, Green Wood Crafted Combine Flower Planter 36” L x, Wood Crafted Toy Crane 8”X 5 1/2” x 15” T, Wood Crafted Toy Crane 8”X 5 1/2” x 15” T, ERTL Massey – Harris Challenger 1/16th Scale Toy, Case International 1/16” Sca...

04/13/2021

We want to let our beloved dad’s friends and followers know that work is underway to sell the items at Barnes Woodcraft in an upcoming online auction (handcrafted plus a lot of tools and equipment). We will post details for you as they occur. Thank you! 💖

02/19/2021

We have finished the family viewing for our beloved father and currently the visitation is going on. We are so very sorry that we cannot greet all of our dear friends and family at the funeral home though due to Covid it is not allowed 😞 We just thank you so very much for your friendship and love towards our beloved dad, and all of us, and for all of the beautiful flowers. Sending our love and here’s a link to the video of some snippets of dad’s long, beautiful and blessed life that is showing during the visitation and tomorrow’s private funeral ❤️

https://youtu.be/wwUwqlWS85M

02/08/2021

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the peaceful passing of Emmett this past Friday. We know he truly enjoyed his time creating at the shop or just hanging out with all of his friends and visitors who would stop in, and also loved going down the street to the Shabbona Cafe for coffee and meals and to visit with everyone there and other places around town. We will always remember his smiles, laughter, wit, humor and kindness, and know that he will be greatly missed by many besides, of course, by ourselves. Our condolences to his many friends. On behalf of his beloved family, we thank you for bringing a smile (many smiles) to his face for these so many years he has had his shop there ❤️

Arrangements are pending through Unger Horner in Rochelle and his full obituary with information on a public walk-thru (Covid-style visitation) will be posted on their website and in the newspaper later. There will be a private funeral and those will be in a couple of weeks.

Update: His full obituary...
https://www.ungerhorner.com/obituary/emmett-barnes?fbclid=IwAR0k3w7Li7GtNF2HAaWp3enQ0k5w5hUDwqcjW8jZUSmX0xoOIs7D3skNULw

12/19/2020

The shop is open! Stop in for some last minute gifts 🎁 Santa’s favorite helper is there some days late morning to mid afternoon.

03/17/2020

Like other restaurants, the Shabbona Cafe will be closed inside for dining in, though they will be offering take-out orders from 8am-2pm. We are very happy about that 💖

Emmett said he will be putting the coffee pot on at the shop while he’s there during this time for anyone who would like to stop by!

Shabbona Cafe is excited to announce that we will be open tomorrow from 8am-2pm for carry out orders! Orders are to be called in then picked up from the front window of the cafe. All normal forms of payment will be accepted at time of pick up.

815.824.3069

As always, Shabbona Cafe operates under strict regulations to remain sanitary and we will continue to work to get food to our customers in the safest way during this time. We appreciate your business and please stay tuned for more updates regarding our hours!

🍀SPECIAL 10am-2pm🍀
Corned beef and cabbage served with carrots and potatoes plus your choice of salad or vegetable/cream of potato soup for $13.99

11/14/2019

Hello friends! It's been awhile since we've posted anything here, but I just came across this video from a few years back so I wanted to let you know that though he's not moving quite as fast, Emmett is still at the shop with bells on most mornings. He also still has some of these handcrafted, eco-friendly toys and gifts in stock (plus some new items) for your holiday giving (also trains, birdhouses, tractors, wooden Christmas wreaths and US flags, dice games, garden art and more for all ages). He heads a block up to the local cafe mid-morning for coffee, and then is usually back there again for lunch, so if you stop in at those times and don't see him, feel free to join him there. They have good food and service! Or, he suggests giving him a call to make sure he's going to be there or to make an appointment. If he doesn't answer at the landline (815-824-2774), call his cell phone (815-761-5007)...he'd love to see you!

12/11/2018

We caught Santa’s favorite northern Illinois helper busy handcrafting toys in his wood shop this morning! And getting ready to ship some out to some good boys and girls 😁🎅🏻🎄💗

11/19/2018

Check out Rock Valley Garden’s “weekly deal” ad on their website. Can you guess who the “local artisan” is who designed and crafted this cabin bird feeder for them? 😉

11/14/2018

We caught Emmett working on this yesterday. How cute!! He’s done a manger scene like this before and we just love it.

11/12/2018

An awesome back scratcher! Fits in Christmas stockings perfectly. $6 plus s&h or pick it up and browse all the gift items.

11/06/2018

Emmett says to let you all know he’s at the shop most Mondays through Saturdays until about 1 pm, so stop and see him and browse around the shop. If he’s not there when you show up, check the cafe just up the street, or call him to let him know when you’re coming!

02/27/2018

Rain gauges and birdhouses (the latter will thank you)!

02/07/2018

Still and always a touching Valentine gift that will last for years ❤️ For mail orders or store hours, if you can’t reach Emmett at the shop, please call his cell at 815-761-5007.

01/06/2018

Packing up some purchases by a good friend who stopped by with her husband today...always a fun time visiting!

12/25/2017

Merry Christmas!! 🎁🎄💝

12/06/2017

12/15/2016

Toy guns for the kids…or give them as gifts to your adult friends or co-workers to play with :-) They shoot rubber bands or ping pong balls. The machine guns actually make a clacking noise as you turn the handle!

12/02/2016

We have handcrafted gifts for all ages! Stop in and visit us in Shabbona, or give us a call and we can ship your order to you or directly to the special people in your life. If you're in Rochelle or DeKalb, we may even be able to meet you somewhere and drop off your order! Merry Christmas shopping 🎅🏻😃

11/12/2016

Some fall favorites, plus...!

11/12/2016

Stick these in your left-over Halloween pumpkin and it'll make it look like a fat turkey 🦃. Perfect porch or yard decoration for Thanksgiving! The five under the face are the big tail feathers!