Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to learn from and work alongside a number of craftspeople whose work reflects patience, skill, and close attention to their work. The links shared here are to artisans and mentors I admire and trust, people whose work has influenced my own in meaningful ways. I’m glad to point you toward their work and to acknowledge the role they’ve played in my life as a maker.
Curtis Buchanan
Curtis is a master chairmaker from Jonesborough, Tennessee. His work can be found in Monticello, the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion, the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, and the Tennessee State Museum.
I met Curtis in 1990 while traveling to Tennessee to visit some distant relatives. During a walk through historic Jonesborough, I stopped at his shop and spent an hour completely absorbed by his tools, his workmanship, and his chairs. It was a formative moment for me. When I tried to buy a chair on the spot, he told me I would have to wait in line. I asked how long. Without hesitation, he said about a year. When I reacted in disbelief, he added that it would actually be longer, but people tend to lose patience after a year. I asked if there was any way to get one sooner. He smiled and said yes, you could make it yourself.
That conversation changed everything. I returned to Jonesborough that fall and spent a week with Curtis, making my own Windsor chair under his guidance. That chair still sits in my living room today, and I have continued chairmaking part-time ever since. Along the way, Curtis also taught me humility and kindness, lessons that have stayed with me longer than the skills themselves. curtisbuchananchairmaker.com
Elia Bizarri
Elia has been making chairs and many other historically informed handmade objects since he was seventeen. Over the years, he has become one of the most prolific and respected traditional woodworkers and instructors in America. He approaches his work with energy and generosity, and the results speak for themselves. handtoolwoodworking.com
emily wood
Emily Wood is my daughter, and I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into a skilled and accomplished business owner. She is self taught in her beadwork, with a focus on hand designed earrings that reflect care and attention to detail. Through steady dedication, Emily has built a strong following among both customers and retailers. Her work can be found in many high end shops and artist cooperatives throughout Oregon and beyond. I am deeply proud of what she has built through her business, PedalCreations. PedalCreations.com
jan wood
Jan Wood is my wife and creative partner. She previously built a successful business making soap and candles for both local and online customers. Together, we are returning to this work with a clear focus on simple, all natural soaps made from pure ingredients, without added fragrance or color. Jan’s approach values care, durability, and honesty in materials, and each batch is made with close attention and intention, meant for everyday use.
Larry Wood, Traditional Woodworker 