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About Waxing Moon
To me, this is the perfect metaphor for woodworking: creating something from nothing.
Just as the moon gradually builds its light from total darkness, my craft takes raw, formless timber and steadily shapes it into something meaningful. It is a process of growth, patience, and continuous refinement.
Waxing Moon Wood is a modest wood shop located in the small, southern Minnesota town of Albert Lea. Every piece made here carries that same spirit of growth—honest craftsmanship, shaped by hand, rooted right here in Minnesota.
Ed Sallee is the craftsman behind every Waxing Moon Humidor. Born and raised in Albert Lea, Ed possesses an eclectic professional history that eventually led him back to his roots and his craft.
**The Foundation** Ed’s journey began in 1983 with an eight-year career in the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Lewis, WA; Schweinfurt, Germany; and Fort Benning, GA, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Infantry, serving primarily as an Operations Sergeant. After being honorably discharged in 1991, Ed moved to Charleston, SC, where he balanced a role in the marketing department at the Medical University of South Carolina with an administrative position at Kiawah-Seabrook Seafood.
**Finding the Craft** In 1992, Ed relocated to Cheyenne, WY, to begin a career in transportation operations with United Van Lines. It was here that his interest in woodworking truly took hold. While his career with United Van Lines took him to Georgia, New Jersey, and South Carolina—utilizing the operational leadership skills he honed in the Army—his passion for wood remained constant.
That passion was sparked by his father, Donald Sallee (d. 1999), who gave Ed a 1953 Shopsmith in 1992. That machine remained Ed’s primary tool until 2003, and his father remains his greatest inspiration.
**The Pursuit of Excellence** Ed eventually realized that his love for woodworking was shared by everyone who received his pieces. Combining his craftsmanship with a deep appreciation for the cigar community, he decided to turn his passion into a profession. Ed has dedicated his life to the art of humidor building, making it his full-time livelihood since 2009.
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