Ryobi brought the Chopped concept to HAVEN 2018. We knew Ryobi would BRING IT when they told us Shanty 2 Chic, Jen Woodhouse, and Rogue Engineer would be leading up three groups of our attendees to compete against each other – we had no idea this would be EPIC!
From Robin Newton, HAVENmaven
The session title intrigued me—“Ryobi Chopped”—-what was this all about? I had no idea, but knew I wanted to be part of it.
I entered the room a tad nervous, I did not know what to expect. There were four large round tables, with eye protective goggles on top and in front of each chair. Nearby were assortments of odd pieces of wood, nails, screws, lattice, a large umbrella, sandpaper, a piano hinge, etc. A large group of onlookers started to gather in the back of the room.
After welcoming us, we were presented with the challenge—it was a contest!—each of 3 groups was to create a project with assorted parts/items assigned to the group, with completed project due in 1.5 hours. Also, each group was to be headed up by a DIY celebrity—either the Shanty2Chic sisters, Rogue Engineer , or Jen Woodhouse. The best project would win, and one member of the winning group would receive a $500 Home Depot gift card! (Not too shabby, huh?)
My particular group of about 12 was led by the two adorable Shanty2Chic sisters, and we quickly began brainstorming as to what we would create with the supplies assigned to us. Several ideas were presented: a leaning bookshelf, a hall tree, etc? After a moment’s deliberation, the hall tree idea was selected and we went to work, each group member trying his or her hand with the Ryobi power tools available—-electric saws, nail guns, sanders, etc. Fun!
We sanded, sawed, and even painted part of our hall tree—the decorative lattice pineapple—which was attached to the top of the hall tree within minutes of our deadline. Whew! I quickly ran out into the hallway to see what all I could find to further spruce up our hall tree and found a decorative pillow to throw on one end of the bench, along with a vendor-loaned wine bucket, with included ice and bottle of wine. Our group was delighted to overhear compliments on our hall tree!
Ryobi Chopped was a totally enjoyable and challenging group project, and the fun memory of it will be with me for months to come. I think it was one of the top two most fun Haven sessions that I attended.
– Robin Newton
From Brooke Cribbs, HAVENmaven
Any excuse to get a chance to use power tools was reason enough for me to attend the Ryobi Power Tools Chopped session, but boy I did not have a clear idea what fun would be in store! I was lucky enough to be matched up with the Shanty 2 Chic sisters, Whitney and Ashley. Let’s be honest, I was especially giddy when I saw that we would be a part of the #teamshanty bandana crew. (“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” Clairee (Steel Magnolias) ) The goal: create something as a team using limited supplies and tools within an hour that would crush our competition. (muahaha) Ok, so maybe it wasn’t “that” intense, but it sure felt like it.
Time started and we also started throwing out ideas on what to build. I threw out the idea of a hall tree bench and to my surprise was a crowd favorite and so the building truly began. I got to take the honorary first cut and because our team was the first to use a power tool, we got first dibs to gift our competitors with a random object to really mess up their plans, or so we thought. We chose a beach umbrella and gifted it to team Team Rogue. Shortly thereafter, we were gifted a piano hinge, you know what they say about karma.
The trick in this competition was that when you checked out a power tool, you had to keep using it, or it would be swiped away. We found this out initially as our circular saw was taken back and we had to improvise with a jigsaw. This only meant that we had to get creative with the tools, even if that meant fake using a nail gun and maybe nailing a piece of wood to a conference table. Whoops.
Seeing as we were in a conference room and not a woodworking shop, we did have to get creative when cutting larger pieces ensuring we didn’t saw any chairs in half while also trying to maintain tool safety. (It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.) With the help of Traci Hutcherson and Jana Culbreth, we traced and cut the large pineapple I drew which adorned the back of our hall tree bench giving a nod to the hospitable charm of Charleston.
What I loved about this competition, aside from the energy and the fierceness of the competition itself, but also the fact that our group, while made up of those with no tool experience and those with years, helped one another out to teach along the way. Even though most of us had just met for the first time at that session, our communication, brainstorming, and problem solving was on point. Even though we didn’t win the overall competition, the session was a win in my book.
- Brooke Cribbs, Cribbs Style
From Heather Lyman, HAVENmaven
I participated with Team Rogue at the Ryobi Power Tools Chopped Event at Haven Conference. 
It was so much fun brainstorming ideas, putting them together, using Ryobi tools, and creating an amazing project. Our team created a wooden beach chair with a bottle opener (selected from a random box of items, one of which we had to use), and a large umbrella (which we were gifted from another team from the random item box (which we also had to use).
It was a challenge with teamwork, tools, and talent. I loved being a part of the challenge, using new tools, and making new friends. After the event, and the votes online were in, Team Rogue won! That was the cherry on top, after a great time with Ryobi!
– Heather Lyman, Heather Lyman Designs
From Bryan Fiveash, HAVENmaven
Much like “Chopped” on The Food Network, “Ryobi Chopped” pitted three teams against each other in a fun race against the clock to build three different projects from pre-selected scraps of wood. I was in awe of the more experienced DIY-ers in the room who, after putting their brains together, came up with three awesome projects: An Adirondack chair, a bench, and a fancy doghouse. I happened to be on the winning team, the Adirondack chair, but the other projects were amazing too!
– Bryan Fiveash, Do It Yourself Daddy
As you can see, Ryobi knows how to throw a competition – congrats to team Rogue on the win. We would enjoy hearing your HAVEN session experience – Please email us at HAVENteam@HAVENconference.com
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