For years I made the daily commute to a 'real' job. When my daughter was in her last year of high school I realized I was living for weekends and if I was going to change things up it had better be soon.

Because of my love for antiques and beautiful wood I spent the next three years in a Fine Woodworking Program at Holland College, spending most days and many evenings there, LOVING every minute. I learned so much and knew I had only scratched the surface.. ..I still learn something new everyday and have a very long 'to do' list, makes each day 'at work' special.

I love all the possibilities of wood and have many special pieces squirreled away waiting for inspiration. My lathe is one of my favorite things, I turn most every day, I also have a great respect and love for hand tools and use them often....It is quiet reflective work that makes a snowy day go by quickly.

I source my wood from sustainably managed woodlots, using local and reclaimed whenever possible. Many local woodlot owners and neighbors will contact me when something special is found on their land, maybe hit by lightening, blown down in a storm or taken down as part of their management practices. Each spring my husband and I plant seedlings of old Acadian Forest species such as red oak, yellow birch and rock maple on our acreage to replace the wood I have used and provide for future generations of woodworkers. My wood studio is an 150 year old carriage house with a sunlight addition we built from lumber we cut and milled from trees in our own forest.

To give back I have been setting aside a percentage of my sales to give to MacPhail Woods Ecological Forestry Project's 'Restore An Acre' program on behalf of my woodshop and my wonderful buyers who love wood as much as I do. This initiative will see Provincial Public Forest Land enhanced by the planting of appropriate native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns, including some of the rarest species to be found in our province. The Acadian forest is one of six endangered forest ecosystems listed in North America.

Each item is made one at a time here, made to last for generations, to be pleasing to the eye and the hand. From furniture commissions to smaller goods I try to make pieces that will be used and enjoyed every day. My husband and I love to cook in our big farmhouse kitchen, hence my many wooden kitchen wares. Being surrounded by the forest, I tend to make many woodland pieces inspired by what I see when I walk or look out my large shop windows.

My daughter Meghan, who works with warm glass on her days free from her 'real job' shares some of my studio space, she makes all the eyes for the whales, owls, dog and bird carvings. She is also known to spend a Saturday with the sander or the drill press when I am really busy. My husband helps with the packing, is excellent at making odd sized shipping boxes and is invaluable during the Christmas season manning the tape gun...also does a wonderful shop 'clean-up'.

My packaging reflects my commitment to sustainability, I only use natural, eco friendly and/or recycled materials.

Having a sense of humor, some of my pieces are created just to make me laugh....I feel blessed to live the creative life, spend the days with my dogs by my side and to give an occasional chin scratch to my three beautiful British Shorthair cats who hang out in their catio close to my studio on nice days.

Wood is timeless, finely crafted wooden things make both a wonderful gift to give and to receive. My collection of works crafted from rough lumber, with hands and tools will hopefully give you a sense of appreciation for the time, skill and attention to detail that goes into each handmade piece.