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
The Slow Furniture Movement embraces the deliberate creation and use of durable furniture. A part of the Slow Movement that values quality over quickness, it has emerged as a response to the mass production of disposable “fast” furniture. You don’t have to spend a lot to participate in the slow furniture movement. Here are five ways that you can get involved. 1. Shop Sustainable Solid Wood Furniture Investing in solid wood furniture, whether it be… 5 Ways to Participate in the Slow Furniture Movement
“My middle name is Speed,” the Hare boasts in Disney’s 1934 version of The Tortoise and the Hare. The Hare tears through the race and kicks up lots of dust, but in the end he cannot compare to the slow and steady efforts of the Tortoise. The moral lesson of the Tortoise and the Hare? You can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily than by acting quickly and carelessly. Amish furniture is… Welcome to the Slow Furniture Movement
What is a finial? What’s a tongue and groove back? What do they contribute to the style and function of solid wood furniture? And what’s the difference between an armoire and a chifforobe? We’re taking a look at some terms we often use in the Amish furniture world but that could use some clarification for those not studying furniture every day. One thing we can guarantee, they’re all important and all have purpose, because the… 10 Amish Furniture Terms and What They Mean
I enjoy a good bargain, sure. During one of our community yard sales, I remember taking a walk around the neighborhood and finding a colorful beach umbrella. I had never treated myself to one and living in Florida, I take my two daughters to the beach quite often. The owner wanted $8 for it, which is pricey for a yard sale. I tried to bargain with him, but he wouldn’t budge. I opened and closed… The Benefits of Solid Wood Furniture
DutchCrafters has a team of Amish Furniture Specialists. They are the talent at the phones and behind the emails that take Amish furniture from the photo you see online into your home with the custom options that make it unique. They’re our connection to you, our customers, and your connection to a wealth of information about custom furniture as well as the woodworker who is building it. When you’re buying Amish made furniture: You can… Insider Tips for Buying Amish Furniture from DutchCrafters Furniture Specialists
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
At the heart of tea time is the opportunity to relax and share a lovely drink, a few tasty treats and some time with loved ones. What could be better? Tea time can be formal or casual and can serve a large group or just a few people. It is often served mid to late afternoon. We’re taking a look at what to include on tea time tables with a few Amish dining tables to… What to Include on Your Tea Party Table
The popularity of the formal dining room is on the decline, as families are more content to eat and gather together in more casual ways. With conflicting schedules leaving many dining at different times, more homeowners are growing impatient with dining rooms taking up space. Elaborate kitchen islands, outdoor deck tables and living room coffee tables are becoming go-to spots for dining, socializing and entertaining, while the old formal dining room space is being put… Are We Done with Dining Rooms?
Wait a minute. You’re buying handcrafted, heirloom quality solid wood furniture. It is intended to last and look beautiful, but it’s costing you more. You’ve heard there’s a chance that there’s some plywood used in the building of solid wood furniture. Could this be right? Is this true? What’s the deal? The answer is yes, plywood is used even in the finest solid wood furniture. But there’s a very good reason for it. Simply put,… Avoiding the Cracks: Why Plywood is Used in Solid Wood Furniture
There will be holes. There will be marks. There will be imperfections. Rustic furniture and reclaimed furniture embrace the beauty of the natural and celebrate its flaws. This is solid wood furniture that exudes warmth with organic character that gives off a relaxing vibe as it provides a connection to the past. The Amish Wildwood Rustic Wood Panel Bed. If smooth, shiny and seamless are what you’re after, then rustic and reclaimed may not be for… Worn and Weathered with Worm Holes: The Nature of Rustic and Reclaimed Furniture
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
Finish either makes a product or breaks a product. –Alan, Amish woodworker at the Mt. Eaton Woodshop in Dundee, Ohio The last steps to completing a piece of solid wood Amish furniture are applying the stain and finish. Finishing solid wood furniture is a combination of sanding, staining, and sealing that must be done with a careful eye, steady hand, and a good deal of patience. Stain and finish will enhance the color, protect the… Adding Color and Finishing to Solid Wood Furniture
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. From the… Amish Made Chairs from the Prairie Collection: The Habits of Handcrafting
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
