Handcrafted Items

We produce a few handcrafted items fashioned from our own hardwoods. We'll also produce small custom pieces based on your design or idea (see the note at the bottom of this page about custom work).  You can see our work and talk to us at the Sunday Artisan Market from 11a.m. to 4p.m. on Detroit St. in Ann Arbor's historic Kerrytown district (SEE DATES BELOW). 
UPCOMING 2017 DATES AT THE SUNDAY ARTISAN'S MARKET (subject to change): 6/18, 7/2, 7/16, 7/30, 8/13, 8/27, 9/10, 9/24, & 10/8
THIS SUNDAY (6/18) WATCH A DEMO ON HOW TO BUILD AN ADIRONDACK CHAIR (KITS AVAILABLE FOR SALE) NOON AT THE MARKET
                               To ensure that we have what you want on a given day, please email us several days in advance! 

Leopold Bench

Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, teacher, writer and philosopher who is perhaps best known for his book, Sand County Almanac. This simple bench, which bears his name, is emblematic of the land ethic which he espoused.

Our interpretation of the iconic Leopold bench includes comfortable armrests.  Our benches are made with native Michigan hardwood, including oak, walnut and cherry, grown and harvested on our woodlot here in Washtenaw County, Michigan. We make use of boards that include "flaws" such as knots, the naturally curved ("live") edges of the trees themselves and, in some cases, the damage caused by insects. While sorting through boards we select for features which give each bench a unique character. Each is sturdily constructed using exterior-grade hardware and coated with a weather resistant, exterior oil finish. This simple yet comfortable bench is an excellent choice for seating in your garden, on your patio or porch, or around your backyard fire pit. We can also build you a classic Leopold bench, without armrests, for $30 less than the prices listed below.
 
in white oak: $160
in cherry $175
in walnut $185
children’s bench: $100
any bench without armrests: subtract $30

PictureBlack cherry Leopold bench with armrests
length: 50" (armrest to armrest; benches without armrests are 42" wide)
height: 33" to 35" (depending on width of backrest board)
width: 26" (edge of front leg to edge of back leg)

Adirondack Chair Kits

 Our complete Adirondack Chair Kits include everything you need to build your own classic outdoor seating.  We make the kits in our workshop out of white pine and spruce, carefully cutting, drilling and sanding each of the pieces to make assembly as simple as possible. If you can drive a wood screw straight, use simple woodworking clamps, and read a tape measure accurately, you will find assembly quite straight forward. Currently available at The Sunday Artisan Market.
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White Pine/Spruce Adirondack Chair with penetrating oil finish
PictureAdirondack chair kits
Complete kit $100
Assembled kit $125
Assembled and finished (exterior oil) $150

When assembled these chairs stand
38" high at the center of the back,
30" wide from armrest to armrest, and
31" deep from front legs to rear legs.

"Cookie" Table

PictureWalnut "cookie" table
We use a carefully flattened cross-section of a log (a "cookie") and attach it to a sturdy set of gracefully tapered legs to produce a unique side table.  Multiple coats of water-based urethane provides a beautiful table surface that highlights the growth rings of the tree, but can also stand up to everyday use.  We make just a few of these at a time in various sizes ranging from 18" to 24" in height, and 16" to 20" in diameter.  Prices range from $200 to $300.  Contact us about availability.   

Cutting/Serving Boards and
Solid Hardwood Trivets

We craft several styles of cutting/serving boards in cherry and oak, priced from $20 to $40.  We also make cherry, oak, walnut, ash and hickory Trivets, ranging in price from $8 to $21

Leopold Swing

Our “Leopold”-inspired Swing takes the basic design components of the classic Leopold bench and incorporates these into a beautiful and sturdy swing. It can be made in black cherry, white oak, or black walnut, and includes a natural edge board for the backrest (subject to availability). We finish each swing with a weather-resistant exterior oil finish and put it all together with nickel-plated hardware and chain to provide you with an unique and comfortable porch or garden swing.

in cherry:  $240
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Leopold-inspired swing in black cherry with a natural edge back

Folding Drying Rack

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Drying racks in 30" and 24" widths
Our version of this classic household essential is made with a sturdy ash frame and birch dowels.  Available in two widths, 24" and 30", offering 22 and 28 feet of linear drying space respectively. Each frame member is
1 1/8" x 3/4" and the dowels are 1/2" in diameter on the 24" rack, 5/8" on the 30" model.    An energy-saving choice for any home.      

24": $60,   30": $70

Walking Sticks

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Walking sticks
These walking sticks are crafted from hardwood grown and harvested on our own woodlot.  The wood for the center shaft is selected for strength and cut from a clear piece of native Michigan lumber. Woods with contrasting grain and color are chosen and joined on opposite sides of the center shaft (a few of these are non-native woods). Using this “blank” the final shape of the staff is cut out, smoothed with a router, meticulously sanded, and finished with three coats of polyurethane. The result is a sturdy, beautiful walking staff: $35 to $40

Shaker-Inspired Benches

These simple but elegant Shaker-inspired benches are made with our own cherry lumber, feature "live edge" seats and a gracefully curved support that ties the design together.  Available in three lengths (32", 36" and 40") each bench stands 16" high, with seat depths varying from 10" to 12".  Finished with a water-based, satin urethane, our Shaker-inspired benches are an excellent choice for mudrooms and entrance ways, or as an accent piece in any informal room of your home or cottage. We can also build one to your specifications.  We can also make these with white oak.  Contact us for details.

28" $115, 32" $135,  36" $160,  40" $185  
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36" long Shaker-inspired bench with "live-edge" seat

Solid Ash, General-Purpose Caddy

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Solid ash, general-purpose caddy
These all purpose caddies are just the thing for organizing and storing everything from hobby and craft supplies to garden tools.  Handsome enough for display in your living room, but tough enough for service outdoors, they are constructed of solid ash, with carefully joined corners and finished with two coats of Danish oil.  

$45

Come see us at the Sunday Artisan Market (Apr.-Dec.)

A note about custom orders:  It will typically take us two to four weeks to complete a custom order.  We require a 50% deposit before beginning any custom job.  Check out samples of our custom work under that heading on this website.