About Me

I retired from the aerospace industry in 2019 and thought, "what am I gonna do now?".  Well, my great-grandfather was a blacksmith in Ontario, Canada and my father and grandfather were woodworkers.  I also have a son in Denver who's better than both of them so I figured the love of creating beautiful and functional works must be in me as-well.  Now where to practice this new found hobby?  I knew I loved playing in the mountains but that in itself wouldn't be fulfilling.  I wanted to be part of a community, not just a guest.  Fraser, Colorado offered me that opportunity and I love it here.

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Marrying wood to steel creates a contrast I find appealing.  I prefer simple designs that showcase the natural beauty of wood and steel - there's not a lot of ornamentation.  Paint removes the character of steel just as it does to wood so I generally opt for waxes and chemically-derived patinas although there are exceptions.  Finishes for my wood elements enhance depth and lustre so I lean towards oils and matte sheens.  Given these treatments it's not surprising my pieces don't do well in outside environments.  I recommend you keep them inside.

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I perform the majority of the metalwork at my shop in Fraser, Colorado and all the woodworking at my home in Lone Tree.  I don't ship items but will deliver if you're in the Denver metro area or Grand County.  Please come see me at my shop, at an event (see "News & Events"), or send me an email via "Contact".

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John Church