Who Are We?

(And WHERE are we?)
 
BackYard Enterprises, located in Ruidoso Downs, NM, is exactly as the name implies.  Owned and operated by Randy James, out of his backyard shop (aided by his struggling Webmaster wife Debbi), the company offers original aged barnwood birdfeeders, replicas, and other woodworking original products.
  As you can see, our operation is small.  This is a view of our backyard and Randy's shop (the building with the door leaning against it) on a picture taking day.  Incidentally talent runs in the James family.  Although it's hard to see, the ping pong table the church is sitting on is made out of concrete and has benches so that it can double as a picnic table.  The table was made by the other half of the James Gang, Jimmy.
 

The Artist

    Randy is a native of Duncan, Oklahoma.  A veteran of the Viet Nam War where he served as a Sentry Dog Handler, Randy moved to New Mexico shortly after returning home from the war (after the prerequisite job at Haliburton).  He has worked as a line crew supervisor, a carpenter, and most lately as a truck driver for a gasoline company.  To help unwind after a work day, Randy began "piddling" in his shop after work and on weekends.  He started simple, utilizing the scroll saw, then progressed into boxes (the boxes were out of this world...made from cedar, he cut patterns of  coyotes on the lids and backed them with  mirrors.  I wouldn't part with mine for any amount of money....okay, make me an offer. : )  (Kidding).
    As he became more challenged, Randy turned to his knowledge as a carpenter and began to think small.  Deciding to utilize aged barnwood as it was accessible and environmentally friendly, Randy began to look at historical and/or older buildings and hit upon the idea of birdfeeders replicated from these local landmarks.  In his earlier work, he actually made shingles for the roofs, a tedious process.  Randy then began using galvanized steel roofing, stamped with a special tool designed and made by Jimmy.  The longer Randy has worked, the better quality he has produced.  He has learned as he has gone and while the older birdhouses did age well, the newer models are designed to withhold any adverse weather conditions.
    Randy is constantly coming up with new ideas (check back in a month for the unveiling of a truly original birdfeeder), and works with other mediums such as deer and elk horn (found hiking and/or donated by hiking friends....we do not object to hunting for meat, but are not hunters ourselves and are not attempting to make a statement for or against hunting) and we will be adding his other product lines soon.
 

Now, Where The Heck Are We?

  Link To Picture Gallery
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BackYard Enterprises
P.O. Box 1841
Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
e-mail:  backyard@lookingglass.net