Benjamin Keaton
Benjamin Keaton is an experienced and creative woodworker and timber framer with a highly-respectable work ethic.
Benjamin attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where he took a woodworking class just before graduation and his life went in an unforeseen direction. Benjamin has perused the craft with the precision and the eagerness that is necessary to excel. His career began with Tatum Galleries, a fine custom furniture and home décor business located in Banner Elk, NC. While there he learned how to build traditional-style furniture using mortise and tenon joints and hand cut dovetails. After reading a cover story about High Country Timberframe & Gallery Woodworking in Woodshop News, Benjamin knew it was time to broaden |
his knowledge and experience. At High Country Timberframe & Gallery Woodworking the furniture is designed with Japanese and Craftsmen influence, tooled with precision and finished with hand planes and hand-rubbed oil. Benjamin honed his furniture building talents and gained extensive experience in the art of timber framing. One of Benjamin’s most notable accomplishments was being selected as the job foreman for the New York Botanical Garden project which consisted of constructing and installing four traditional Japanese garden uwaya for their Kiku Festival. Benjamin’s wife Rachael longed to be back in New England and the couple moved to Silver Lake, NH where Benjamin began working for Don Johnson of DAJ Fine Woodworking. Don Johnson is a talented craftsman and while working with Don, Benjamin gained the highest level of education in cabinetry, millwork and fine carpentry. Benjamin and Rachael have now settled in Waterbury Center, VT with their Australian Shepherd, Maple and their son, Cedar. They have built a wood working studio and are in pursuit of a goal and vision that they have shared for many years. |
Mentors
Steve Tatum
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Steve Tatum, owner of Tatum Galleries in Banner Elk, NC, also attended Appalachian State University. After receiving his degree in Industrial Arts with a concentration in Furniture, he started Tatum Galleries where he began building custom furniture as a profession. When Benjamin graduated from college, he was fortunate to be hired by Steve and assist him in building custom furniture. For four and a half years he learned the techniques of building solid wood furniture as it has been done for many generations. Mortise and tenon joinery and hand cut dovetails were the foundation of every piece. Benjamin also learned to finish a piece by spraying a flawless finish as well as distressing the piece to look like an antique. |
Tom Owens
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Tom Owens is the co-owner of High Country Timeberframe in Boone, NC. He has been a woodworker since 1984, both as a furniture designer/maker and as a timber frame designer and carpenter. His furniture was featured in the book, "The Custom Furniture Source Book, A Guide to 125 Craftsmen" published by Taunton Press and he has written for Sukiya Living: The Journal of Japanese Gardening, on the topic of traditional Japanese carpentry. Tom taught Benjamin the fundamentals of Japanese joinery and how to bring different mediums together in harmony. He also helped him see the importance of being fully vested in the project from start to finish. http://highcountrytimberframe.com/ |
Peter Jankowski
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Peter Jankowski is the co-owner of High Country Timberframe in Boone, NC. Peter is usually found in the shop, hand cutting the timbers and then scaling the frame during the timber-raising phase of the construction process. A strong work ethic passed down by his father and an eye for classic detail has guided Pete on his path of fine woodworking. Peter quickly became "Papi" to Benjamin. Papi taught Benjmain trade skills of course, but he was also a mentor in other ways. Peter Jankowski demonstrated how to be a leader on the job and in the world. Most importantly he introduced Benjamin to the most powerful tool - PMA. If you have a Positive Mental Attitude anything is possible. http://highcountrytimberframe.com/ |
Don Johnson
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Don Johnson acquired his foundation in the trade while growing up in Martha's Vinyard. He then moved to Intervale, NH where he created his business, DAJ Fine Woodworking, in 1976. Don and Benjamin quickly became life long friends. He taught Benjamin to incorporate the skills he developed building furniture and apply them to cabinetry and finish carpentry in homes. Don's eye for detail and ability to create has put him without question, in an elite group of craftsman. Benjamin considers myself very fortunate to have learned under Don and is thankful for his support. http://dajfinewoodworking.com/ http://www.sawdustnsparks.com/index.html |
