Hey, I’m Jim.

I craft beautiful, functional and enduring objects in wood to meet your needs.

Owner Background

Jim Ruddell

Ever since my childhood in North Carolina, I have been inspired to build with my hands.

Good fortune and a sense of adventure took me to Stanford University where I played a year of baseball and studied Civil Engineering, graduating in 1977. There, I spent many hours in the university’s machine shop, fabricating a variety of items that included a log splitter, bicycle gears, and brass and copper candlesticks.

After graduation, I found that the cost of machining equipment was out of reach. A used Sears table saw, however, was only $150. So began a self-taught education in woodworking while concurrently building a career as a construction manager.

Over the next four decades, I traveled the US to oversee major public infrastructure projects while also following my passion for designing and crafting beautiful, bespoke furniture in wood. In 2018, my wife and I moved to Bend, OR where we live with our two dogs, a wood shop and a spectacular flower garden.

Now retired, I seek to help others bring their concepts to life for the joy of it.

If you are yearning to collaborate on a distinctive, personalized, artistically-rendered piece at an affordable price, let’s meet and work together. Initial consultations are free.

NOTE: Chairs are by Dovetails Furniture, Bend, OR using my wood dye.

Dining room table - Padouk; steam-bent, quarter-sawn white oak; copper boat rivets

Walnut, sycamore and mahogany mantle.

My Approach

Listening

I believe that the power of our collaboration begins with my listening. In this way, I can best understand your goals and aspirations for the work.

Together, we will next explore “what’s possible” and exchange ideas through iterative dialogue.

Design Development

As we establish the project size and style, we will move on to sketches that lead to a mock-up and consideration of wood species.

Final Design

Once the design is agreed, I will produce final approved plans and provide a plan set to you.

China cabinet and linen press - premium alder, copper inlays, stained glass
(This set of 3 cabinets is 11’ long.)

My Approach

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Lumber Selection

I encourage my clients to join me at the lumber yard to select our wood.

Crafting Your Project

Details Matter

During fabrication, you will receive progress photos; from milling to finishing to final assembly. Delivery and installation follow final payment.

Among the many benefits of bespoke work is the opportunity to make it your own. We will work together to incorporate your unique details that will add meaning and richness for years to come.

Make it stand out

Console table in walnut, dyed poplar, laminated and bent poplar, and holly.

Let’s Honor the Craft

If you appreciate the value of locally-produced, fine, custom work that will stand the test of time, then we should collaborate.

High quality is paramount. High profit is not the goal.

Jim and Cathy
Dining chair repairs

We own eight formal dining room chairs that are extremely comfortable but were suffering from loose joints. Jim added structural bracing that made them as sturdy as new. We agreed on a schedule and price. Jim delivered right on time.

We paid him more than twice the amount he asked for because of the quality of his work.

What Clients are Saying

Chris and Dick
Apothecary Cabinet

“We were given a set of six 19th century apothecary drawers from a family member. Jim constructed a cabinet to fit the drawers. We placed it in our dining room where it is so handy for small accessories. The finish is gorgeous! It's a super addition to our home.”

View Project

Sam and Adrienne
Asian Lanterns

We have a coy pond in our backyard and have always wanted Asian lanterns for the area. Jim fabricated three beautiful lanterns to our design and made the top removable so that it is convenient to maintain the lights.

View Project