FAQs for Wood Shoppe 2.0 and Donald J. Claxton
The Brands: Five Star Puzzles™ and The Ameriquins™Who is behind Wood Shoppe 2.0?
Wood Shoppe 2.0 is led by Donald J. Claxton — a former communications and media advisor to two Alabama governors, four Dallas-area school superintendents, and political candidates at every level.
A tech-savvy early adopter of the Internet, technology, and AI, Donald J. Claxton also is a novelist, storyteller, and off-and-on woodworker for nearly five decades.
The shop blends traditional craftsmanship with modern AI design and CNC precision to create pieces that aren’t just products—they’re stories in wood.
The mission: Take bold ideas, rich history, and personal moments, and turn them into handcrafted works that start conversations, spark pride, and make people say, “Now that’s something special.”
What kinds of products do you offer?
Wood Shoppe 2.0 creates three main types of work:
- Five Star Puzzles™ – Premium wooden puzzles with bold patriotic themes, political satire, and collectible quality.
- The Ameriquins™ – A character-driven series celebrating America’s first 250 years and the next, brought to life in puzzles, décor, and merchandise.
- Custom CNC Creations – One-of-a-kind signs, décor, and specialty pieces designed and built to your specifications.
Every item is designed in-house, made from quality materials, and hand-finished for lasting beauty—whether it’s destined for a desk, a wall, or a place of honor in your home.
What makes Five Star Puzzles™ different from other wooden puzzles?
Five Star Puzzles™ aren’t just something we slapped together—each piece of every puzzle becomes something to talk about.
Every product we make blends CNC precision, premium hardwoods, and hand-finishing with designs that intend to make a statement.
Some products lean patriotic–some might think too much, and that’s okay. This is America.
Some go full-throttle satire.
All are built to last, with interchangeable elements and collectible appeal.
They’re meant to spark pride, laughter, or even debate—because a great puzzle should challenge more than just your hands.
What are The Ameriquins™?
The Ameriquins™ are a cast of 13 original characters created to celebrate America’s first 250 years—and inspire the next.
Each character has a unique story, voice, and personality, representing the grit, humor, and heart that built this country.
They appear in puzzles, décor, merchandise, and upcoming books, inviting people of all ages to connect with American history and values in a fresh, engaging way.
Think of them as part storyteller, part symbol—reminding us that freedom still rings, and the next chapter is ours to write.
Why do you make your products the way you do?
Because a good piece of work should outlast the person who made it—and say something worth remembering.
Every Wood Shoppe 2.0 design starts with a story, whether it’s a moment in history, a bold idea, or a bit of satire that deserves a solid place in wood.
From there, it’s all about precision and paying attention to detail.
CNC tools give each cut accuracy down to the hair, but the sanding, finishing, and final touch are still done by hand.
This mix of modern precision and old-school craftsmanship turns a concept into a conversation piece you’ll want to keep—and pass on.
Why are some puzzles satirical or political?
Because puzzles don’t have to be polite.
Some of our designs lean into political satire, poking fun at headlines, public figures, and cultural absurdities.
It’s part of the long American tradition of speaking freely and laughing loudly—sometimes at ourselves, sometimes at each other.
Five Star Puzzles™ uses a “light roast to dark roast” scale, so you know whether you’re getting a wink-and-smile or a full-strength jab.
Either way, the goal isn’t just to challenge your puzzle skills—it’s to spark conversation, stir emotion, and keep free expression alive in a form you can hold in your hands.
Why should I choose Wood Shoppe 2.0 over mass-produced items?
Because you can feel the difference between something made for the masses and something made for you.
Every Wood Shoppe 2.0 piece is designed in-house, cut from quality materials, and hand-finished for character and longevity.
Mass-produced items are built to ship.
Ours are built to last.
They carry stories, spark conversations, and have a presence that plastic, particleboard, and factory shortcuts just can’t match.
When you buy here, you’re not just getting a product—you’re getting craftsmanship, pride, and a maker’s signature in every piece.
Why should I choose Wood Shoppe 2.0 over mass-produced items?
Because we don’t do “cookie-cutter.”
Every piece here is conceived, designed, and built under one roof—cut from premium materials, finished by hand, and made to last.
Mass-produced items are built for margins.
Ours are built for meaning.
They carry a story, a purpose, and the fingerprints of the person who made them.
When you order from Wood Shoppe 2.0, you’re not just buying something to own—you’re investing in something worth keeping.
When will my order ship?
Most in-stock items ship within 3–5 business days.
Custom orders and made-to-order pieces typically take 1–3 weeks, depending on complexity and current shop workload.
You’ll get an email confirmation when your order is placed, and another with tracking information once it’s on the way.
If you have a deadline—like a birthday, holiday, or special event—just let us know, and we’ll do everything possible to meet it.
When do you release new products?
We add new designs year-round, but the biggest drops happen around key seasons and events—spring, summer, fall holidays, and special moments like America’s 250th anniversary.
Five Star Puzzles™ often debut in themed collections, while The Ameriquins™ roll out through character releases, seasonal décor, and limited-edition runs.
If you want first dibs, join our email list or follow us on social media—you’ll hear about new arrivals before they hit the front page.
Where are your products made?
Every Wood Shoppe 2.0 product is proudly made in America, right here in Alabama.
Our workshop serves customers in Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and across the rest of the state—while shipping nationwide.
All designs start here, combining traditional woodworking with AI-assisted concept tools and CNC precision.
We source quality hardwoods, cut each piece in-house, and hand-finish every detail.
Whether it’s a Five Star Puzzle™, an Ameriquins™ collectible, or custom CNC work, you’re getting Alabama craftsmanship built to last and made to be talked about.
Where can I buy your products?
You can order directly from our website, WoodShoppe20.com, where we ship across the United States.
We also work with customers locally in Alabama—including Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and surrounding areas—for custom CNC projects, signs, and specialty builds.
Whether you’re down the road or across the country, the process is the same: you pick the design, we craft it in our Alabama workshop, and it arrives ready to enjoy.
Do you offer CNC woodworking services in Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, or Dothan, Alabama?
Yes. Wood Shoppe 2.0 provides custom CNC woodworking services across Alabama, including Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Dothan, and surrounding areas.
We design and cut custom signs, puzzles, décor, and specialty projects, all built in our Alabama workshop and shipped nationwide.
Can you design and cut custom signs for businesses and events?
Absolutely. We create custom CNC-cut wooden signs and full-size HDPE plastics for retail shops, offices, weddings, trade shows, and special events.
Whether you’re in Alabama or ordering from across the country, we can design, cut, and finish a sign that reflects your brand or occasion.
Can I bring my own design for you to cut?
Yes. If you have a digital design file, we can adapt it for CNC cutting, or we can work with you to refine your idea into a production-ready design.
We use all the best design software and tools available.
This service is available to customers in Alabama and across the United States.