I’d been living on a sailboat in the Florida Keys for quite awhile. Perfect? Pretty close. And then life intervened. I had to take a break from our life on the water, and return to Portland and the “real world” for a bit. What a dramatic change! Lots of people. Cold weather. Interminable rain. And … the endless list of house projects.
I love making stuff. I worked in the tech industry when tech was new and exciting and fun. Anything was possible then. And I *really* didn’t want to go back.
Getting started wasn’t easy. I hadn’t been involved in fabricating anything from the ground up other than software. But, Was determined to succeed and move forward. There were so many obstacles to over come. Where to start? How to source materials at a reasonable cost? What equipment did we need? What products should we make? What style — Mid century, Modern, Gothic, Mission, Steam Punk, Classic? What finishes should we apply? Where do I store inventory?, Who do I sell to?, How do I market? The list goes on an on.
I’ve have been able to find affordable material suppliers. Many generous people have shared their knowledge and have been willing to guide and counsel us. I’ve reorganized my small basement into a a mini workshop. I’ve acquired a number of tools — both power and traditional. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to use them, calibrate them, and maintain them.
My approach is to use the best tool for the job. Sometimes hand tools win out, sometimes power tools. A piece of figured walnut or maple worked with a smoothing plane can look and feel amazingly beautiful. Woodworking is much like navigating a sailboat through a reef into clear water. It’s a mix of challenging, scary, exhilarating, tedious, and frustrating. ultimately, it’s something we find truly amazing and rewarding.
The materials I use are sourced locally in Oregon. For some of the products we create, we up-cycle waste wood from local manufacturers, others require reclaimed wood products, while others mother nature creates. A special find of wood may “call out” its own way of being unique, for these pieces, we may incorporate them into a fine piece of furniture, art, or a unique one-of-a-kind creation.
My wood supply is based on what’s available and what the individual wood inspires us to build. I may not offer the same products every time. If you see something you like, buy it. Tell your friends to get theirs. And, let me know that you like it and whether I should make it again. Utilizing what is available and what makes a piece “pop” helps us keep our products interesting and unique.
For the most part I spend our time designing products, generating sawdust, and fabricating pieces we hope will delight you! Am I succeeding? Well, that is up to you. Let me know.