Makers-Woodshop-Owners-Jason-And-Jonathan-Ash-Slab

Live-Edge-Black-Walnut-Sofa-Table-Top-Makers-Woodshop

Our Story

Some Moments Capture Your Attention & Change Everything

I (Jason, right side) still remember the day I cut into a fallen log in a client’s backyard. Sunlight struck the newly exposed grain, and for a second, I forgot all about remodeling kitchens or laying tile. All I could see were the growth rings, each one proof of a year the tree had steadfastly stood guard, a hidden timeline waiting for a second life.

Back then, I ran a small residential remodeling business. It was good work: steady projects, a comfortable routine. But something about that log, about turning something old into something brand new, captivated me. I started spending evenings researching woodworking techniques, testing finishes, experimenting with how epoxy heats, moves, and settles. Before long, I discovered the thrill of creating functional pieces that told a story all their own.

In 2020, I teamed up with Jonathan (left side). At the time, he was supplying the slabs I was working with, and we decided to go all-in together. We leased a few acres from Edrich Lumber and built out both the shop and the mill space.

Today at Makers Woodshop, we give Maryland’s oldest trees a new purpose. We transform salvaged logs into heirloom furniture that becomes the backdrop for a new generation of memories. We love the process, we love the finish, and we love sharing that sense of wonder with you.

This is what “log to table” really looks like. From a massive ash slab in the first photo at the shop to a fully finished, custom dining room table in a beautiful home in the second, this is the kind of transformation we love most.

From Milling to Finishing, We Do It All In-House

The Mission:
We take naturally downed and deceased trees from across Maryland (the bigger, the better) and give them a second life as statement pieces for homes and businesses. With the capability to cut logs up to 8 feet wide and 45 feet long, we create truly one-of-a-kind furniture, right here in Baltimore County.

The Process:
From the day a tree arrives in our yard, it typically takes about a year before it’s ready for a project. We mill the log into slabs, then sticker them (stacking with spacers to allow airflow between boards) so they can air-dry for months—sometimes up to a full year. After that, the slabs go into our kiln to finish the drying process, which can take up to two additional months, depending on the species and thickness.

Once the slabs are fully dried, we flatten them on our surfacer, which is essentially a large-scale router designed specifically for leveling big slabs. Then the material comes into the shop, ready for a new project. It generally takes 4 to 6 weeks to turn the dried raw wood into a specific piece of furniture, although certain designs and finishing processes can take longer.