David & Kathy Towley Woodworking
Bemidji, MN
2022 Booth #3
Freehand turned wooden originals, artistic and functional pieces using the lathe and hand tools out of fine northern hardwoods. Each piece is turned, then sanded to 400 grit, then finished with a natural foodsafe finish of beeswax and mineral oil that is satisfying to both the eyes and touch. Some of the pieces are highlighted with a simple wood burned pine bough that is done freehanded.
© David & Kathy Towley
Patrick J's Imagination
Eagan, MN
2023 Booth #111
I try to let the wood speak for itself by enhancing its natural beauty with design and variety. Also including epoxy highlights into some of my pieces.
© Patrick Plautz
© Bill Neff
Prairie Woods
Barronett, WI
2023 Booth #33
"Wood is like working with people. Each piece is unique with a mind of it's own. The challenge is to discover and then uncover that inner beauty that lies within. As with the process of getting to know a person, working with a piece of wood is exciting as the discovery of the unique qualities reveal themselves before your eyes.
Of the woods available, I am passionate about working with local native species found in weather damaged trees, firewood from my own back yard, and other "urban salvage". They can come in such an extreme and unexpected variety, from understated yet sophisticated quality to sensationally spectacular. In itself, every piece is Nature's work of art. It is my task to assist in the unveiling of the piece to that next level."
Cannon River Bowl and Spoon
Silver Bay, MN
2023 Booth #142
I'm a wood artist. I live by the philosophy of "surround yourself with things you find beautiful and use them every day." I am inspired by the beauty of nature and my work highlights the personality of each tree from which it is sourced. I create functional cooking utensils, hand-turned bowls, serving pieces, and cutting boards. I strive to make pieces that are accessible to people of all means, so I have a range of sizes and prices. I handcraft each item with great care and attention. After I carve each piece, I devote much time and effort to sanding and finishing until it shines and glows from within. My finishing process is adapted from a European technique involving water and repeated applications of boiled flaxseed oil, a hardening food-safe finish. My studio is in Silver Bay, MN. I source my wood from the surrounding region, often salvaging fallen trees after a storm, or reclaiming beautiful, but not commercial-grade, logs.
© Benjamin Leatham
Minneapolis, MN
2017 booth # 38
I work with wood like a painter works with oils, creating images of lines, shapes and the natural colors of wood. Then, I carve the piece to create a wall sculpture. The carving creates shadows which enhance the image. At night, lights set at a low angle make the shadows more dramatic. Up close, you can touch the sculpture to feel the smooth flowing shapes and realize there are changes in the surface you didn’t notice. I create my art using techniques I began developing in 1996: joining boards along curves, inserting solid wood strips into curved cuts, embedding wood strips in circular cuts, and inserting pegs in intricate designs. This isn’t marquetry, intarsia or inlay. Finally, I sand and finish the piece in the same manner as fine furniture giving it a highly finished appearance and a highly durable surface which will retain that appearance even with constant touching by people, just like a piece of furniture.single
© Marc Lamm
Lanesboro, MN
2019 Booth #135
Carved wood sculpture.Colored parts are painted with acrylics.Finished with natural oils and lacquer.
© Paul Lambrecht
Longshadow Woodworks
Little Falls, MN
2023 Booth #117
In our work, we strive to combine beauty and function while doing our part to use our natural resources wisely.
We began our work as professional wood artists in 2006 when we realized the vast amount of wood waste that is created by larger wood product manufacturers. These businesses produce cut-offs and rippings that are usually chipped, burned, or simply thrown away so we set our woodshop up to utilize even the smallest pieces of cast off woods.
Each piece of wood is hand selected for its grain and character then it is laminated, planed, shaped, sanded, and finished.
Since reclaimed hardwoods are used, each piece is unique.
We truly feel as though we are making a difference not only in narrowing the stream of waste woods in the industry, but also in educating and creating an appreciation for different species of native hardwoods in our customers.
What began as a weekend shop project has turned into our passion and profession.
© Aryn & Courtney Kern
Duluth, MN
2017 booth # 67A
Living in northern Minnesota, my surroundings supply my material and subject matter for my work. I am a self taught woodworker and use various methods including hand turning on the lathe and free form which often starts with my chain saw and ends with fine chisels and sand paper. I carefully choose local specimens for their unique characteristics and let the wood determine the project it will be used for.
© Eric Helland
abdesigns
Menomonee Falls, WI
2017 booth # 30
David creates turned wood sculpture created using only recycled furniture woods.
© David Abresch