Hand split and hand planned Bamboo Fly Rods made in the old time honored tradition.

Real Wood Designs builds functional household items, including furniture. All projects are created in my studio using local wood.

Greg Galbreath handcrafts openback banjos in Giles County, Virginia. His work is influenced by the classic banjos of the late 20th century but are made to withstand the demands of the modern musician. Using beautiful wood, clean lines and elegant ornamentation he strives to attain a rich, well balanced tone in all his instruments.

We are Martin & Linda Garthaffner and we operate Garthaffner Creative Family Enterprises.
Originally from up north, we are now in grafted Southerners, having lived in Virginia for 35 years! Martin enjoys wood working & began making quality, period correct, functional Artisan Lanterns for the Frontier Camping Fellowship many years ago. Produced in several styles & types
of wood- these lanterns are now used by numerous Civil War re enactors, in homes, events, and festivals.Linda enjoys the more artistic side of the wood working, as in Pyrography (wood burning), painting, & decorating. As well as making jewelry, bow making, knitting, sewing, & quilting.We are both members of the James River Woodcarvers Association.

Handmade 18th century furniture, showroom on first floor of 100 year old restored farm house, beds,chest, dinning tables, bookcases etc

We handcraft one-of-a-kind furniture from local Virginia hardwoods, such as walnut, cherry, and figured maple. We use slabs we mill ourselves, and often use trees that would end up as firewood. Our designs are simple, to keep the essence of the tree, and our pieces are finely finished, so they can fit in any decor, from rustic log cabins to contemporary homes.

John does the carvings which include all birds, animals and fish which are all carved with realistic detail. He also carves caricatures, wood spirits, walking sticks, busts and masks. Patty does the chip carving which is a decorative form of carving where specific shapes of chips are removed to form a design. Her carvings and burnings include Christmas ornaments, wall hangings, trivets and decorative boxes. If you have an idea of what you would like we can do it.

I build musical instruments, guitars and mandolins. I complete repairs on all types of stringed instruments, both acoustic and electric. I process all my materials that I have opportunity to. After completing the master program, I graduated from the Galloup School of Lutherie.

I have been hand-making furniture and cabinets for over 35 years. I work with solid wood, veneer and carve. We are capable of designing any style requested. My wife Nancy does the design work. My favorite woods are walnut and cherry.

wood turning

I do wood turning and hand crafted wooden items - some custom made to order. Most items are designed to fulfill a need in your home.

It was the smell of the wood that drew me to my neighbor's workshop when I was young. I began making wooden toys for my daughters then I started to make old fashioned toys. My wife and I founded Mountain Kids Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children. All sales are donated to Mountain Kids, which has grown along with my toy making. I am currently designing a catalog and a web site. My time is filled with good work and great excitement about the years ahead.

I am a native Virginian who, until 2007, lived and worked in the Washington DC area for the US Justice Department.  After thirty years of civil service with DOJ, I retired to pursue my passion in lutherie.  I now reside with my wife, Sarah, and our four wonderful children, Elena, Diana, Asher and Amelie in the culture-rich mountains of Southwest Va. I've played guitar most of my life and have always loved fine woodwork. In early 2000 I became interested in lutherie and found a guitar builder associated with a local music store in Old Town Alexandria, Va, who took me under his wing. The luthier's name was Roberto and he spoke little to no English.  Over the next few years I spent afternoons and weekends with Roberto learning his craft. Language was no barrier. I was later inspired by Wayne Henderson who lived just a few miles from my parents in SW Va. As noted, I retired from Civil Service in 2007 and moved to Marion where I have established a lutherie shop on Main Street. My parents are native to the Greencove / Whitetop area, and I spend much of my childhood here.

I have been turning wood for more than 25 years and enjoy turning small projects such as wooden jewelry.

All my wooden jewelry is made from salvaged wood found in SWVA. The wood comes from power line clearing, my fire woodpile and from friends and neighbors. My system of segmenting allows me to use small pieces of wood. Some of my wood comes from knotty board, thus the name “Knot Art”.

My jewelry won first place in category at the Woodcarvers & Woodturning Symposium in Gray, TN in March 2007.

As a child I was always fascinated with wood and stone. That fascination led me to open my own handcrafted log home business, Highlands Log Structures in Abingdon, VA. I enjoy working with wood in all different ways. Handcrafting homes and furniture in conjunction with other natural elements gives me great satisfaction. I have been working with wood for over 20 years and enjoy crafting items that are unique and in harmony with nature -- naturally beautiful!