While we are proud of everything we build, we believe that some of our best work has been that commissioned by our clients for specific purposes, people, or occasions (and therefore not featured in our catalog). The following is a partial portfolio of some of our most cherished custom projects. If there is something you like of the projects below or if you have an idea or design you would like to discuss, drop us a line through our Contact page or on our Facebook site.
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Hand-turned pieces in the case 
Chess set – ready for the road
This was the first full chess set we developed – have done many more since, but always proud of the workmanship on this one – including a full set of dark and light playing pieces created with the help of our lathe duplicator. The playing surface is made of birds-eye maple and walnut, while the case is constructed of Nova Scotia Cherry with black walnut spines at the corners. Commissioned by a colleague, Donna M. this was a gift to her son.
Muffin butler – hickory and cedar 
Removable cover 
Showing warmer and scalloped handles
This unique design was inspired by a similar item I saw at a B&B many years ago. A muffin butler keeps bread rolls, muffins, croissants and so on warm using a clay warmer heated in the oven and slipped into a cloth pocket at the bottom of the box. The cloth cover can be removed to wash or replace with other designs for special occasions.
The ‘burban 
Dump truck for Zach 
Flatbed Farm Truck
Over the years I have made a number of wooden models of cars, trucks, planes and so on. These were some of my favorites – from left to right: a Chev Suburban commissioned by our good friend, Deborah; a dump truck, built for my grandson, Zach; and a flatbed farm truck for my wife, M.
Small hobbit sword 
Wade appreciates the staff 
Ball-and-claw Shillelaghs
Traditional pieces are a lot of fun to work on and these three were nice challenges. From left to right: a small sword for my grandson; a thumbstick with elk antler thumb saddle for Wade (in traditional regalia); and a pair of ball-and-claw shillelaghs for Charles’ grandsons.
Walnut, curly birch, and purpleheart 
Birds-eye maple and walnut 
Silver and brown maple with black walnut
Nearly every woodworker will make a cutting or charcuterie board at some point in their career, especially since they are a great way to use up off-cuts. But some are made to specifications like these three: a birthday board for my oldest son; a Christmas board for my youngest son; and a beautiful board with breadboard ends for sale at the Eastern Shores Gallery.
UK flag inspired design 
Heather’s wine rack 
Narrow rack in poplar 
A perfect fit for Shelly
It is always a challenge to fill existing spaces with new furnishings and these two created unique problems, in part because of the difficulty to access the space and to close them to appear as part of the original design. Clockwise from top left: Heather’s UK-flag influenced wine rack before staining; Heather’s wine rack stained and installed; Shelly’s wine rack assembled, unfinished; and Shelly’s installed unit.
Nested stool for Mary 
Seed station with grow lights 
2×4 built plant stand 
Artist’s travel/ lap case
We expect to turn out a lot more furniture in future with a turn towards fine furniture woodcraft. However, we have also had many opportunities to develop more utilitarian furniture including these interesting works: nested stepping stools for Mary; a seed incubator station for the Deanery; a plant stand (made from a single 2×4 stud); an artist’s mobile/ lap case.
E.J.’s book ends in oak and walnut 
Kumiko lanterns in chestnut and padauk 
Shorebirds, Hunter, Scout,and Wade
Sometimes, you just want to make something beautiful and that is the case with these recent project: a set of music themed bookends for my grandchild, E.J.; Kumiko lanterns on Sashiko mats; shore birds in epoxy pool for Eastern Shores Gallery.
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