Meet the Artist

Gale Schmidt

Woodworking

Gale Schmidt is a retired business owner with a diverse background. She’s loved woodworking since childhood when she tagged alongside her dad as he dabbled in woodcraft in his time off from work. She took her first woodshop class in seventh grade in a school district that actually allowed girls to participate. She continued to keep an interest in woodworking as a hobby until she turned 30 and got a job at a cabinet shop and learned the cabinet making trade. She started her own cabinet and furniture business in the early 80's. She found that operating a woodworking business was not nearly as pleasurable as doing the craft itself and opted to venture into other employment opportunities. But she always spent her spare time building wood products—from tables to dressers to cabinets. After many years as a business manager in various companies she stumbled into the field of metal fabrication. She spent the rest of her working life as owner of a metal fabrication company specializing in ornamental fences, railings, and miscellaneous metals. At times she’s used her wood and metal knowledge to build furniture pieces with both elements. Now that Gale is retired, she spends most of her time creating wooden products and teaching woodworking in her shop. There is something truly magical in turning some rough lumber into a thing of beauty. 

Combining multiple species of domestic and exotic hardwoods to create unique cutting boards, charcuterie boards, bookends, bowls, keepsake boxes, plant stands, etc., as well as furniture. All woods used are sustainably harvested, repurposed or recycled. The idea behind her products is to make beautiful, functional items that will last generations and price them so average workers can afford to acquire the highest quality products.