Founders & Faculty
Brief Biographies and Contact Information

Jim Tolpin (Founder)

Phone: (360) 301-2291
Email: tolpin@olympus.net
Website: www.jimtolpin.com

See pictures of the Gypsy Wagon Jim finished last year.

"Over the last three decades, I have worked professionally in woodworking as a boatbuilder, a timber-frame housewright and a custom cabinetmaker. I have also written books and articles about general woodworking, cabinetmaking and finish carpentry--and more recently about home design. My how-to articles have been published in most of the major woodworking magazines including Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. I maintained a regular column for CabinetMaker and Woodshop News magazines and I have written a number of feature articles for Cottage and Coastal Living magazines. I have also produced twelve books in this period of time that have together sold more than 750,000 copies to date. I am the immediate past president of a technical writer’s trade organization: The National Association for Home and Workshop Writers." Today my passion is teaching woodworking...I just love watching people discover the joy of working good wood with good tools into beautiful, useful objects!

 

 

John Marckworth (Founder)

Phone: (360) 316-9480
Email: john@marckworthdesign.com
See a portfolio of my work.

"I specialize in custom woodworking including furniture, cabinetry, built-ins, and interior/exterior architectural details. As a licensed sub-contractor I work with general contractors, architects, designers, and directly with homeowners. My work offers integrity, attention to detail, and meticulous craftsmanship. I enjoy a challenge, and welcome one-of-a-kind projects that call for thinking outside the traditional box. I am equipped to provide both in-shop and on-site production.

My work has been featured in a number of woodworking books and magazines, and I am the author of Beautiful Wooden Projects for Outdoor Living, published by Popular Woodworking Books."

 

 

Tim Lawson (Founder)

Phone: 360 (440)-7660 
Email: Lawson.Tim@gmail.com
See a portfolio of my work

Tim is a graduate of the Intensive Furniture Making course at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine.

"I build sculptural furniture using a mixture of techniques including: steam bent double tapered laminations; coopered sections (double curved pieces made of solid wood); traditional joinery. All joints and most surfaces are shaped by planes, rasps or by spokeshave. The final blending done with either card scrapers or by sanding. I use a wet rubbed oil/varnish finish to create a lustrous satin look that pops the grain and feels wonderful to the touch."

"I draw my inspiration from winged creatures. The flick of a raised wing, the curve of a swan's breast and the open wings of a resting butterfly may all be seen in my work. I blend these graceful and powerful curves into elegant, functional furniture. I use and celebrate the natural diversity of line and colour in the grain of North American hardwoods.

"I am currently building a range of stands and music stands. I welcome commissions for custom furniture that seeks and demands the grace and elegance of curved forms."

 

 

 


 Faculty:

Seth Rolland

Phone:    (360) 379–0414
Email:     seth@olypen.com
Website: www.sethrolland.com

 "As a woodworker for 20 years I am drawn to furniture that is intriguing enough to stand alone as sculpture.  My goal as a furniture maker is to combine animated, balanced, interesting forms with function and comfort.  Design and the refining of proportions are a very important part of my process and can take as long as making the piece.

Currently I use many different techniques in my work, including carving, steam bending, lamination and vacuum forming.  Some of my recent pieces are made from both stone and wood.  I use mostly North American Hardwoods and recently I have been working with Steve and Tim on milling wood from trees in the Port Townsend area that either are blown down or have to be removed.  My work has been featured in many books and magazines as well as on HGTV’s “Modern Masters”.  I produce both commissioned work and pieces for galleries across the country and in Canada.  I enjoy teaching and have taught previously at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts."
 

 

Michael Hamilton

Phone: (360) 385-2807
Email: mhamilton@olympus.net
Website: None


 

 

Steve Habersetzer

Phone: 360 (385)-2135
Email: None
Website: None

Steve is along time resident of Port Townsend and the first sign of early spring is when Steve hangs up his sandals!

Steve describes himself:

"Self taught artisan woodworker for 30 years with interest in design, ecological problem solving and organic farming.

I specialise in non toxic construction and finishing, building for chemically sensitive people, using non toxic glues and finishes (pure boiled Linseed oil or 100% Tung Oil). I don't use plywood or particle board. All work is solid wood - no veneers. Frame and panel construction with bookmatched panels is a trademark of my work.

My work is very diverse - from caravans (gypsy wagons), furniture, cabinetry, stairs, to the occasional coffin. Design and construction challenges are a welcome part of this work."

 

Dan Packard

Dan Packard trained as a sculptor and has taught sculpture and carving for nearly 40 years. Now retired Dan creates wonderful carvings of orchids in his studio in Port Townsend. Dan, with a deep love of boats and boat building, also works as an instructor at the NW School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Hadlock.

 

 

 

 Port Townsend School of Woodworking LLC | c/o 200 Battery Way | Fort Worden
Port Townsend, WA 98368 | (360) 344-4455 |  email