Crafting wood and other media for fun and profit is an underlying theme at the World Makers Faire, closing today in New York. Part of a series of do-it-yourself gatherings that includes everything from robotics to computer hacking, as well as woodworking and wood crafting techniques and technologies, Makers Faire's are drawing tens of thousands of enthusiasts across the U.S. and around the globe.

MONROE, MI -- La-Z-Boy Inc. (NYSE: LZB), a manufacturer and retailer of motion furniture and contract furnishings, reported that its first quarter 2012 fiscal year sales increased 6.4% to $220.1 million compared to the same period last year.

Custom woodworkers and architectural woodworking firms could be caught up in a broadening labor practices investigation. The Labor Department and IRS say subcontractors' workers are misclassified as independent contractors.

The wood products firm has enhanced its online presence.

A weekly spot price index for industrial wood pellets exported from the Baltic region has been launched by Argus, a global energy price reporting agency.

Wood pallet manufacturer and renter PECO Pallet says it has incorporated in Canada, though it has been shipping its red wood block pallets into Canada for many years.

Elimination of wood research project funding in a new Senate finance bill won praise by a watchdog group.

Oak and other woods are now getting their close-ups using 3D non-contact metrology systems. Nano-views of wood surfaces present images of grain and surface formation in extremely detailed resolution.

New opportunities for woodworkers may exist in the rescue of pipe organs.

Gibson Guitar, stormed by Federal agents investigating suspected use of protected woods (a violation of the Lacey Act) continued to gather momentum. The CEO launched a petition asking president Obama to intervene on its behalf. Amid the turbulent global bond market, window and door giant Jeld-Wen and Canadian investor Onix faced challenges raising funds, navigating the same choppy waters that caused Groupon and others to delay public offerings.