Tracy & Jorge, T J Craft Wood Designs; T
he journey:
We have both always identified as creative types, before even knowing one another. When we met eight years ago we quickly realized that we possessed similar artistic inclinations. While I have many visions and ideas circulating in my mind, Jorge is skilled at bringing them to life. At first, the projects were just for ourselves - we wanted a coffee table, for instance, but saw nothing in the stores that spoke to us. After an unsuccessful search, Jorge decided to make our coffee table with my assistance. I provided some great suggestions for the table’s design, and Jorge used those ideas to construct our dream piece of furniture. When people visited our house, they saw all the various items we had created and began asking us to make them similar pieces.
When Covid hit and we both lost our jobs, it felt like a rare opportunity to take something we absolutely loved—designing and creating home goods and furnishings—and turn it into an endeavor that could help pay the bills.
Jorge was first introduced to woodworking at age sixteen, in his home country of Peru. He would often visit a neighbor who made furniture, observing how the man constructed different pieces. When Jorge moved to the United States, he helped people with small construction jobs and grew familiar with the art of home décor. He figured he would make furniture as a side hobby when he retired. However, when the pandemic began and we no longer had gainful employment, we decided to turn our distant dream into a reality!
Our creative process is very collaborative. Although I have always been more drawn to the design aspect, Jorge guided me in the use and operation of the various tools. Now we work together on all stages of our projects—we love sharing our time. Our garage and a small trailer houses our materials and equipment, so we complete most of the work there or in the yard. Except for painting, which I do in the dining room. At times we have to stay up all night in order to meet a deadline, but that is part of the fun. It makes us happy to put all our energy into what we love, and we hope that dedication translates into our pieces.
Our style began as rustic, though we also have created beachy and coastal designs. We research whatever our customers desire, so that we can bring their personal visions to fruition. As a result, we have begun acquainting ourselves with a variety of materials and techniques. One unique feature of our work is the reclaimed woods, usually live edge pieces. We work with a local gentleman who removes trees downed from storms or old age, so our wood is never harvested, but repurposed. More often than not we source our wood locally, from Rhode Island or on the border of Connecticut. The materials themselves serve as inspiration, and we always spend time seeking out the perfect piece of wood to suit our current project.
When handling reclaimed wood, the creation process can be quite intensive. We have to ensure that the wood is completely dry and mill it appropriately. It is not as simple as buying a finished board at a store. The time it takes to complete a single project can vary. There are many steps involved in our work, from selecting the wood to cutting, sanding, painting, and adding a finish.
Whatever makes our customers happy is what ultimately makes us happy. We enjoy it when our clients are part of the creative process because we want the final products to feel special to them. No two pieces we create are alike, and no two pieces have the same meaning. We aim to provide a unique experience for each person who buys our products. When we create home décor and furnishings, we like to think we are also creating a little bit of history. Hopefully, the furniture, charcuterie boards, candle holders, and various other products we design will be passed down to people’s children and grandchildren, carried on throughout generations. Our ultimate goal is to become a household name and to retain our unique style as we grow.