I make everything listed in my store. Everything is made by hand in my shop. All items are meant for use. While people constantly tell me they are too beautiful to use, they are intended for just that, to be used. They will give you many years of regular use. I use North American and Exotic Hardwoods purchased from environmentally conscious suppliers. They are all hardwoods, which means that they have tight closed pores that absorb Mineral Oil but seal out bacteria. Because the grain structure is so dense, when using the wood for end grain cutting boards minor knife cuts are prevented as the grain closes in around the intrusion. All of my products come with an information sheet on how to care for your new functional art piece.
These are the woods that I use to make my cutting boards, paddles/peels, rolling pins and other products:
AMERICAN CHERRY – A north-eastern US and Canada wood with a fine texture. Very common in fine furniture. Becomes darker and richer with age. One of my favorites.JATOBA – More commonly known as Brazilian Cherry, this wood comes from South America. Very distinct tight grain which adds a unique texture to end grain work. It can display fabulous streaks of colour. It is very hard and heavy.
EASTERN HARD MAPLE – This wood comes from North Eastern US and Canada. Known for its durability and strength. It’s a mainstay of most cutting board and butcher block manufacturers. White to honey in colour.
WESTERN MAPLE – Local to the Pacific Northwest, it is softer and lighter than it’s eastern cousin. Figured curly maple offers 3D depth and crazy figure. It’s very difficult to work with but is fabulous on my paddles.
GARRY OAK – Garry Oak is a protected indigenous species to Vancouver Island and is rarely seen in woodworking. The tree is extremely slow growing and is very tight grained for oak. Displays beautiful colour and interesting grain. It’s very hard and very heavy. I get it when a tree comes down in a storm or by some other natural causes.
PADAUK – A very hard wood from Africa that is red in colour. This tight-grained wood is quite expensive but it’s colour is fabulous and is a regular in my projects. It is UV sensitive and darkens with age. Direct sunlight quickens this process. Keep out of direct sunlight to keep the colour.PURPLEHEART – A very hard wood from Mexico and South America. It is, as its name suggests, purple in color and brings a special colorization to any project.
AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT – A dark Chocolate wood mellowing to a light brown within the same board. Medium hard but very well suited for end grain cutting boards. Comes from Eastern US and Canada.
PERUVIAN BLACK WALNUT – A dark Chocolate wood that darkens to near black when finished with oil. Medium hard and beautiful for my projects. Comes from Mexico, Central and South America.
WENGE – A very dense, black wood from Africa that has replaced Ebony which is too hard to find and too expensive now to use in these projects. It is very dark brown with black streaks. Fabulous looking wood that is very hard and heavy from Africa.
ZEBRANO – Also called Zebrawood. Fabulous wood for all my projects (edge grain cutting boards, not end grain). Very unique striping of light and dark streaks. Hard and heavy wood from Africa.
My projects are glued together with Titebond II adhesive. This adhesive is approved by the FDA as being safe for food contact.
My boards are finished with Mineral Oil first and then with a Beeswax blend. Additional finish for updating your boards is available.In addition, all of my cutting boards come with four rubber feet to provide a skid free contact on your counter for cutting safety.
All of my products are made from wood and as such are not meant to sit in water. They can and should be washed but should not be immersed in water for any length of time. After cleaning they should be dried. Nor should they sit in water on the counter. This is why I use the rubber feet on my boards. My products are not dishwasher safe.