CONTACT US

All posts by "Seth Carter"

Seth Carter has been with DutchCrafters since 2020. Seth has won multiple awards for his work in Amish furniture while with DutchCrafters. He has advised and partnered with more than 150 Amish wood shops on furniture presentation, design, industry trends, product options, and the development of exclusive products. He is originally from Indiana and even lived in Amish country (LaGrange, Indiana) for an extended period of time while working with DutchCrafters. Seth was previously in charge of DutchCrafters' Amish bedroom furniture category. He was eventually promoted to lead the team that managed every product in DutchCrafters' world's largest online collection of Amish furniture.

7 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a Porch Swing

Seth Carter 14/03/2024

Customers have turned to DutchCrafters for reliable Amish furniture for over 20 years. That doesn’t just pertain to indoor furniture. We have specialized in outdoor Amish furniture since our company was first established in 2003! Our outdoor porch swings are handcrafted, beautiful, durable, and immensely popular with our customers. But how do you pick the perfect porch swing? If you want a hanging swing to grace your porch, here are seven important factors you must… 7 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a Porch Swing

Read More 7 Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a Porch Swing

Top 10 Ways Amish Travel

Seth Carter 27/02/2020

How do the Amish people travel without driving cars? While they avoid owning motor vehicles, Amish people still have plenty of ways to travel, many of which might surprise you. From horse-drawn buggies to scooters, trains, and even air travel in special circumstances, Amish transportation reflects a balance of faith, practicality, and tradition. Want to dig deeper? Check out Everything You Want to Know About Amish Transportation for a full breakdown of how the Amish… Top 10 Ways Amish Travel

Read More Top 10 Ways Amish Travel

Panel Beds vs. Platform Beds

Seth Carter 14/03/2019

Panel beds and platform beds both have reasons to brag. One will cost you less while the other might be easier to get in and out of. We’re breaking down the features of panel beds versus platform beds with some insider tips on our stylish Amish beds. Panel Bed Construction Panel beds have side rails that hold and support the box spring and mattress. Wood slats are under the mattress. Open spaces between the slats… Panel Beds vs. Platform Beds

Read More Panel Beds vs. Platform Beds

Buffet vs. Sideboard vs. Hutch: What’s the Difference?

Seth Carter 10/05/2018

No, you’re not a rule breaker. You might have a sideboard in your dining room or a buffet in your living room, since they’re very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably, especially depending on where and how they’re used. When it comes down to it, sideboards, buffets, and hutches share the common goals of providing storage and offering a serving area or a display space. Here are the subtle differences that set them… Buffet vs. Sideboard vs. Hutch: What’s the Difference?

Read More Buffet vs. Sideboard vs. Hutch: What’s the Difference?

History of the Hope Chest

Seth Carter 06/04/2017

The hope chest has been referred to as many things, including a dowry chest, a trousseau chest, and a glory box. No matter what it’s called, this tried-and-true treasure has evolved to remain a favorite piece of furniture. How the Amish Helped Bring Hope Chests to America The hope chest dates back centuries, revealing a rich and fascinating history. It originated at a time when marriage included the exchange of property between families. The idea… History of the Hope Chest

Read More History of the Hope Chest

Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Businesses

Seth Carter 03/08/2015

Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, guest blogs for us today, all about: Amish Businesses If you’ve traveled through an Amish community lately, you may have noticed any number of roadside stands, small shops and signs advertising food and other goods for sale. Amish entrepreneurs can be found in nearly every Amish community, and in some places have surpassed farmers in number. Today, Amish run thousands… Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Businesses

Read More Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Businesses

Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Children

Seth Carter 27/07/2015

Happy Monday, everyone!  Say hello again to our friend Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, who is here to tell us more about the lives of Amish children. *This post was edited on 05/29/2025. Take it away Erik! To be sure, the Amish have one blessing in abundance: children. To the Amish, children are the future of the church and, as one mother put it, “the only… Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Children

Read More Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Children

Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Church

Seth Carter 06/07/2015

What happens at an Amish church service? It’s one of the most unique worship experiences in the U.S., shaped by centuries of tradition. In this article, guest writer Erik Wesner explains how the Amish worship, what they believe, and how their church communities are organized. “The Amish are widely recognized as a devout people. God—and by extension the church—is the center of Amish life. Not just something they do on Sunday, the church is very much… Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Church

Read More Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Church

Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Clothing

Seth Carter 29/06/2015

Say hello to Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive. He will join us again to explain a facet of Amish life that most English folk find curious: Amish Clothing. Welcome back & take it away, Erik! Plain Amish Clothing Male Clothing Female Clothing Clothing Differences Another good example is found in the three main Amish groups found in Kishacoquillas Valley in Pennsylvania, who have three different ways… Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Clothing

Read More Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Clothing

Everything You Want to Know About: The Amish and Technology

Seth Carter 22/06/2015

We’re welcoming Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, back to the blog to explain another aspect of Amish life that . . . confuses outsiders, to say the least. What, exactly, is the relationship between the Amish and technology? An Introduction to The Amish and Technology At first glance, one of the more puzzling aspects of Amish life is their relationship to technology. Some of the ways… Everything You Want to Know About: The Amish and Technology

Read More Everything You Want to Know About: The Amish and Technology

Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Families

Seth Carter 15/06/2015

Amish families are the heart of Amish life. Their homes are filled with activity, faith, and structure. In this article, we explore how Amish families live, raise children, and uphold their values. We’re proud to once again feature insights from Erik Wesner, founder of Amish America, who brings his firsthand experience and research to this topic. Go on, Erik – Amish Families: Values Family Life is the name of perhaps the most widely-read Amish publication,… Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Families

Read More Everything You Want to Know About: Amish Families

Everything You Want to Know About Amish Beliefs

Seth Carter 04/06/2015

The Amish live quietly, but their beliefs speak volumes. They are centered on faith, family, and humility. Amish values shape every aspect of their daily lives, from the use of technology to gun ownership. In this article, we’ll take a look at key aspects of Amish beliefs, including their views on Jesus, nonresistance, worship practices, and the Ordnung—the rules guiding their communities. Once again, we’re proud to welcome Erik Wesner, founder of Amish America, back… Everything You Want to Know About Amish Beliefs

Read More Everything You Want to Know About Amish Beliefs

Places You Didn’t Expect to See Amish People

Seth Carter 11/03/2015

We’re happy to have Erik Wesner, founder and editor of Amish America, on our blog! From time to time, he offers us his insights into various aspects of the Amish culture and communities. Take it away, Erik   Where do Amish people live? Well, with the way Amish have been growing and moving, a better question may soon be “where don’t they live?” For many, the first place that comes to mind is Pennsylvania, specifically Lancaster County, home to… Places You Didn’t Expect to See Amish People

Read More Places You Didn’t Expect to See Amish People