Category: About the Amish

4 Popular Ways to Display a Quilt

Beth Rice 30/09/2021

Quilts are special. Whether you made one yourself, inherited a family heirloom, or received one as a gift, they are works of art that you might want to showcase. Sure you can throw them over a sofa or the back of a chair, but handmade quilts, in particular, should be handled carefully in order to maintain their beauty. Here are four safe and popular ways to display treasured quilts. Ways To Display A Quilt The… 4 Popular Ways to Display a Quilt

Read More 4 Popular Ways to Display a Quilt

The American Lumber Shortage: What You Need to Know for Solid Wood Furniture

Beth Rice 15/04/2021

Many of us took a good look around last year. Inside and around our homes, that is. As the COVID-19 pandemic drove many of us into our houses and kept us there, we took notice of what furniture we needed to set up a home office, what rooms needed an upgrade, and ways to create more effective storage options. At the top of the list, we also looked for furniture that would bring us comfort… The American Lumber Shortage: What You Need to Know for Solid Wood Furniture

Read More The American Lumber Shortage: What You Need to Know for Solid Wood Furniture

Unusual Amish Communities

Beth Rice 09/04/2020

You might be surprised to hear that Amish communities can and do differ. Erik Wesner, founder of amishamerica.com, a great source of information on everything Amish, contributes this guest blog about how practices among Amish communities vary. Unusual Amish Communities by Erik Wesner The Amish might at first glance seem like a uniform group of people. Plain clothes, beards, buggies…yet within the 2500+ Amish congregations, there is a surprising amount of variety. While all Amish… Unusual Amish Communities

Read More Unusual Amish Communities

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

Why Does It Take So Long to Receive Amish Furniture? A Slow Furniture Movement Post

Beth Rice 20/02/2020

Martin Yoder from Forks Valley Woodworking was speaking. As he stood in the conference room at our DutchCrafters corporate office in Sarasota, Florida telling us about a recent challenge with quarter sawn white oak wood, I thought, yes, this is what the slow furniture movement is about. Forks Valley Woodworking, which makes DutchCrafters Middlebury Collection, is one of over 150 Amish woodshops that makes Amish furniture for DutchCrafters. They produce stunning wall units for living… Why Does It Take So Long to Receive Amish Furniture? A Slow Furniture Movement Post

Read More Why Does It Take So Long to Receive Amish Furniture? A Slow Furniture Movement Post

The Urban Barnwood Collection

Beth Rice 23/01/2020

Sustainable, warm and unique, barnwood furniture is making its mark. At DutchCrafters, our Amish woodworkers take pride in their sustainable practices and crafting with reclaimed wood embraces sustainability on a whole new level. While there’s no doubt barnwood furniture is beautiful, the story goes much deeper than just knocking down barns and making furniture out of them. The Urban Barnwood Collection here at DutchCrafters is in high demand, and when Jonathan Fell, the sales manager… The Urban Barnwood Collection

Read More The Urban Barnwood Collection

Amish Wedding Traditions

Beth Rice 28/02/2019

Amish wedding traditions reflect the deep faith, community ties, and simple lifestyle of the Amish. From handmade dresses to multi-day celebrations, this guide explores how Amish weddings are planned and celebrated across different communities. When Do Amish Get Married? Amish wedding traditions vary from community to community. Traditionally, Amish weddings are held in late fall after harvest time, in November or December. In some communities, Amish weddings are celebrated in the spring since there are… Amish Wedding Traditions

Read More Amish Wedding Traditions

Amish Q & A with DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller

Beth Rice 09/08/2018

We recently hosted a Facebook Live Q and A session about the Amish. All staff gathered in the DutchCrafters showroom for the event. CEO Jim Miller fielded questions from staff and viewers. *Answers have been edited for clarity. Jim Miller grew up in a Mennonite community and lived near Amish people for many years. For the last 15 years, he’s been leading DutchCrafters in connecting customers with beautiful Amish made furniture, and he’s developed relationships… Amish Q & A with DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller

Read More Amish Q & A with DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller

What’s New at Barkman Furniture

Beth Rice 15/03/2018

Alan Barkman is always one step ahead. On a recent visit to his woodshop in Ohio, our DutchCrafters team found it bustling with activity. At Barkman Furniture, Alan and his craftsmen use a blend of traditional woodworking techniques and state-of-the-art woodworking equipment. They remain devoted to their top two priorities when it comes to building Amish furniture: #1 is producing furniture of the highest quality. #2 is making sure it’s worthy of being handed down… What’s New at Barkman Furniture

Read More What’s New at Barkman Furniture

Amish Made Chairs from the Prairie Collection: The Habits of Handcrafting

Beth Rice 01/03/2018

The Amish woodshop that crafts solid wood dining chairs for the Prairie Collection is nestled in the heart of Amish country, Ohio. There, the talented Amish artisans, both men and women, take to their work producing solid wood chairs with care and precision, with each chair part handled by the craftsmen. The Prairie Collection features high quality Amish dining chairs, bar stools and benches in a variety of styles ranging from classic to contemporary. Here’s what… Amish Made Chairs from the Prairie Collection: The Habits of Handcrafting

Read More Amish Made Chairs from the Prairie Collection: The Habits of Handcrafting

Where the Women are in Amish Woodshops

Beth Rice 22/02/2018

Amish women are wives, mothers, homemakers and active members of their churches. They contribute to running households and making decisions for the home and family. Many Amish women branch out and work outside the home, creating their own businesses. It’s not unheard of for them to make and sell handcrafted items like quilts or to run restaurants, bakeries, or produce stands. Amish girls usually work until they get married. Many work in factories or furniture… Where the Women are in Amish Woodshops

Read More Where the Women are in Amish Woodshops

My First Walk Through an Amish Woodshop

Beth Rice 15/02/2018

In early January, I flew to Ohio with a team from DutchCrafters to take my first walk through an Amish woodshop. Why? Because to convey the quality and features that make DutchCrafters Amish Furniture stand out from all the other furniture out there requires a first-hand account. Amish woodworkers visit both our corporate offices and the DutchCrafters store regularly to share their new solid wood furniture designs, school us on their features and answer questions.… My First Walk Through an Amish Woodshop

Read More My First Walk Through an Amish Woodshop

Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country

Beth Rice 01/02/2018

In early January, five of us flew to Ohio to visit some of our woodworkers in Amish country. Our group included product team manager Scott, sales team interim manager Alex, sales team assistant manager Kari-Jo, furniture specialist Reagan, and me. We went to further build on our commitment to offer only authentic products, as well as to learn and bring back our new knowledge and observations to our work and the rest of the team… Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country

Read More Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country

Traveling Amish Country: Scenes Behind the Furniture

Beth Rice 27/07/2017

We’ve spent years finding talented woodworkers, and getting to know them and their work. Trips to Amish Country take us to Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio where the day usually starts before the sun rises. There are no warehouses with rows of pre-made chairs and tables waiting to be selected and shipped. Solid wood furniture of this magnitude begins with the ideas of Amish woodworkers who have been perfecting their skills since they were children. Take a… Traveling Amish Country: Scenes Behind the Furniture

Read More Traveling Amish Country: Scenes Behind the Furniture

Meet the Woodworker: Elkhart Office Furniture Collection

Beth Rice 28/06/2017

Handcrafting and perfecting fine solid wood office furniture since 2000, Lavern Beechy and his wife Mary recently visited our headquarters to share their story. __ Back in 2000, Lavern was working for a trailer company when a friend invited him to take over his business that specialized in solid wood desks. The timing was just right as Lavern had been thinking about starting a woodworking business but wasn’t sure what to make. He and Mary set up shop… Meet the Woodworker: Elkhart Office Furniture Collection

Read More Meet the Woodworker: Elkhart Office Furniture Collection