About Flotsam

Flotsam was born from a desire to create something out of furniture found on the streets, destined for the landfill. From spoons and cutting boards to side tables and bookshelves, the wood I use in all my projects is “sourced” from the sidewalk, construction/demolition leftovers, woodworking shop scraps, and friendly neighbors. After I collect the wood, I must deconstruct it and/or bring each piece down to a manageable size, then I cut and shape each piece individually. The production process is a dance between the planer, table saw, bandsaw and an array of different sanding and hand tools. Handling scrap wood brings a host of new problems to solve, which adds a fun, creative energy to the artistic process of woodworking.

I use a mix of traditional and modern woodworking methods, taking pride in hand-cut dovetails while still appreciating the utility of power tools. Most of what I know comes from doing projects with my father while growing up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Through him, I continue to learn the value of hand tools, precision and and a well-sharpened blade. I’ve also learned from volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, assistant teaching at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, MA, and other part time work with various makers and builders. In the spring of 2020 I stepped away from my ten-year career on oceangoing research vessels to focus my energy on woodworking. I started Flotsam out of a small two-car garage in Boston, then quickly moved to share space in a larger shop. During that time, I also apprenticed to learn the craft of magnetic compass adjustment onboard ships, which I still practice in addition to running my woodworking shop. In 2022 I moved to the town of Napanoch, NY where I now operate out of a garage workshop in the basement of my own home.

Over time, kitchen tools have become the bulk of what I make. Many of the cooking utensils I create were inspired by my husband, who spent many years as a professional cook at various restaurants. I have also gotten inspiration from custom requests to re-create a favorite cooking utensil, or to design the perfect gift for a cook in someone’s life. These are the projects I have come to enjoy the most: making a one-of-a-kind tool that will be used daily in someone’s life. If you’d like to have something special made, contact me.