Sanders Woodworking

Artistry in Every Stitch Detail

My name is Stephen Sanders. I am a maker of wooden bowls, puzzles, cutting boards and other assorte... read more

Stephen Sanders

USA

Although I have made many things in my shop over the years, my passion is ... about

Sanders Woodworking

My name is Stephen Sanders. I am a maker of wooden bowls, puzzles, cutting boards and other assorted things for over 50 years. My job is to make something I can be proud of and highlight the natural beauty of each piece of wood I work with. Everything in my store I have made by hand in my workshop in rural North Carolina. Most of my wood is locally sourced but I do work with some exotics from South America and Africa. I have a passion for wood that began in my teen years and continues today. Though I don't have a favorite species of wood, I like highly figured, colorful woods, especially burls. In my early twenties, I apprenticed a nationally known woodworker in the mountains of western North Carolina, near Asheville. He taught me to be my biggest critic and to take pride in what I make. He stressed the importance of a fine finish. I'm proud of the quality of my work. In the last 15 years, I've shipped over 3000 bowls, platters, puzzles and cutting boards all around the world.

Stephen Sanders USA

Although I have made many things in my shop over the years, my passion is woodturning. I have made over 3,000 bowls, platters and hollow forms in the last ten years and sold them to people all over the world including Europe, Asia, Australia, Israel, the Caribbean, South America, Mexico, Canada and the US.

Most of the wood I use is sourced locally from trees that fell down during a storm or were removed for one reason or another. I buy some of them, others are given to me in exchange for a bowl and some are free if I come get them. People always ask me what my favorite wood is but I can’t say I have a favorite. The more figure and color, the better I like it. I really like burls for that reason. Some of the bowls I make are from exotic species I have collected over the last 50 odd years.

I use only natural oil finishes. More than half of the time it takes me to make a bowl is spent sanding it. I am known for my finish. My bowls have a rich patina that comes from sanding and polishing the oil. All of my bowls and platters have a food safe finish.

My wife Pennie spends most of her free time with our four kids, their wives and husbands and our eight grandchildren but still finds time to help in the shop. Her main jobs these days are keeping my shop organized, an impossible task, and finish sanding puzzles and cutting boards. She helped me build the shop and did most of the work on the walls, insulation and wood racks in the new addition.

My Great Dane, Oscar, our sixth Great Dane, is becoming a shop dog. He goes everywhere with me. He especially likes riding in the truck with his head out the window.

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