Swanson Woodcraft

What I Do

I was born in Seattle in 1948 and grew up in Ballard. In 1973 I started my business as a furniture maker, and haven’t looked back since. For the next 30+ years, I operated my business from our home in north Seattle, and am sometimes amazed at how much woodworking came out of that small basement shop.

In 1978 I was one of the founders of the NW Guild of Fine Woodworkers, which was formed to bring woodworkers in the Seattle area together for support and sharing of technical information. In 1980 I was one of the founders of the NW Gallery of Fine Woodworking, an artist cooperative gallery in Seattle, and through friendships formed there my path led to the Methow Valley.

Over the years I have designed and built many things, ranging from small accessory items to complete interior remodels. My initial focus was on furniture design and construction, but over the years I expanded into fine interior cabinetry and finish work. Over the last 10 years, working with contractors on some projects and as general contractor on others, I have completed projects that include structural changes and complete interior remodels with new cabinets, trim and furniture of my design.

I have shown my furniture at the Confluence Gallery in Twisp, with shows in 2003 and 2007, and have also had shows at the Real Mother Goose Gallery in Portland, OR and Northwest Fine Woodworking in Seattle. I especially want to thank Stan and Judy Gillis, owners of the Real Mother Goose Gallery in Portland, for their 35+ years support both of my work, and the work of many artists in the American fine craft arena.

Since moving to the Methow Valley, I have continued to do larger jobs such as cabinetry for new construction or complete interior remodels, but find I am also drawn to return to my roots as a furniture maker. There is a lot of satisfaction in helping a client bring the beauty and utility of custom furniture or fitted cabinetry into their home, even when the change is a modest one.

Woodworking is my life’s work and I can’t imagine ever not doing it.

Client and contractor references are available upon request.