Big Changes Ahead

I'm excited to share that I've been accepted into the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship's nine-month Comprehensive Program in Rockport, Maine!

This is a program I've wanted to attend for many years, and it finally feels like the right time. I'm looking forward to diving deeper into furniture making, woodworking techniques, art and design, and learning from the incredible craftspeople who teach at CFC.

So what does this mean for my studio in Chelan?

Over the next month, I'll be packing up my current shop before heading to Maine. I'll be stepping away from this studio while I'm gone, as it would be difficult to maintain the space financially for a year.

This isn't the end of Kope Woodcraft, it's simply a pivot. My goal is to return with new skills, fresh ideas, and an even stronger foundation for the work I want to make. I fully intend to set up a new workspace and continue making new work.

One thing I've learned over the past few years is that there really isn't a single path to becoming a fine furniture maker, any path is the right path. I'm excited to keep learning, keep growing, and continue refining not only my skills, but also the way I think about furniture, design, and craftsmanship. I have a feeling this experience will shape my work for years to come, and I'm grateful to have you along for the journey.

Ash Dining Table

This table is made from white ash with hand-cut mahogany floral marquetry. Over the past several months, I’ve been spending a lot of time learning and experimenting with the art of marquetry, and this is the first large-scale piece where I’ve incorporated it into my work.

Marquetry is a technique where two pieces of veneer are cut at the same time with a fret saw, allowing one species of wood to be inlaid into another. This technique immediately felt very graphic to me. I wanted the marquetry to feel hand-done and almost painted, so it felt natural to begin by hand-painting each image and then transferring the painted design onto the veneers before cutting. Every leaf is cut by hand, then carefully fitted together before being inlaid into the piece.

The base of this table is decorated with twenty-seven individually cut willow leaf branches, inspired by the large willow tree in my client’s backyard. Tucked among them is one small branch with four blossoms, representing each member of the client’s family. I love including details like this, elements that aren’t immediately obvious but invite a closer look and make the piece feel personal for the family that will gather around it for many years to come.

One of my favorite parts of making furniture is learning new techniques and finding thoughtful ways to weave them into a piece. Marquetry has opened up an entirely new way for me to tell stories through wood, and I’m excited to keep exploring where it leads.

& nice to see the first game night on the new table!