We are Beech Tree Woodworks
Puget Sound's Local Cabinetmaker
Our mission is to provide woodworking excellence and to produce high-quality cabinets with green standards. We do this by building a team of professionally skilled, communicative, and motivated employees who love their craft and look for ways to produce woodwork and casework that exceeds our client's expectations.
Beech Tree Woodworks is a unique, sustainable woodworking company based out of Olympia, Washington. Started as Beech Tree Building Company in 2001 by Nic James, Beech Tree Woodworks is committed to creating high-quality, hand-crafted, custom-built cabinets, built-ins, and fine furniture.
We at Beech Tree Woodworks work closely and collaboratively with our clients, designers, architects and general contractors to create a look specific to our clients’ needs, tastes and vision. Our mission is to create long-lasting “green” cabinets, furniture or built-ins that will be passed down for generations.
The name of our company was inspired by a lone beech tree growing on the property where Nic built his first workshop. The tree’s distinct beauty—its breathtaking, ever-changing colors and cyclical patterns symbolizes Beech Tree Woodworks’ dedication to using nature as an inspiration and our commitment to sustainability.
We use locally available wood products from ecologically-based forests. Our core values include both a deep commitment to artistic design and to leaving the smallest footprint possible.
We at Beech Tree Woodworks work closely and collaboratively with our clients, designers, architects and general contractors to create a look specific to our clients’ needs, tastes and vision. Our mission is to create long-lasting “green” cabinets, furniture or built-ins that will be passed down for generations.
The name of our company was inspired by a lone beech tree growing on the property where Nic built his first workshop. The tree’s distinct beauty—its breathtaking, ever-changing colors and cyclical patterns symbolizes Beech Tree Woodworks’ dedication to using nature as an inspiration and our commitment to sustainability.
We use locally available wood products from ecologically-based forests. Our core values include both a deep commitment to artistic design and to leaving the smallest footprint possible.
BEECH TREE WOODWORKS IS READY to fulfill all of your woodworking needs. In addition to consulting and drawing your design we also:
- Manufacture original, reproduction and/or replacement of cabinets and built-ins for any room in your home or commercial space.
- Reproduction of an unlimited variety and replicated architectural mill and case work.
Nic James, Owner
After graduating from college Nic began to foster his interest in working with wood by leading trail building crews during the summer months. Turnpikes, culverts, retaining walls, bridges and other structures were constructed with hand tools and elbow grease in the back country of our wilderness areas of the West.
In the summer of ’97 a good friend who was an accomplished carpenter, presented Nic with an opportunity to help build his house in Olympia. Thus began his carpentry apprenticeship. Two and a half years and hundreds of hours later, with many stops in between, the project was complete. The house (featured in the portfolio) was inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement and in particular the turn of the century architects Greene and Greene. The house remains a wonderful testament to both to Nic that through determination, artistry and hard work, one can truly live within the words “ May the Beauty you love be the beauty you make.”
Nic went on to further his carpentry skills by working for several different contractors and eventually in the Spring of 2001 founded Beech Tree Building Company. After a fruitful year and a half , he was accepted into the College of the Redwoods in California. There they have a renowned “Fine Woodworking Program” established by master woodworker James Krenov. Nic enjoyed a very successful year learning about and building gallery quality, fine furniture. After gaining his certificate he returned to Olympia with new skills and further devotion to high quality custom woodwork.
Nic has always had a great love and appreciation for the natural world and doing what we can to preserve and protect the environment. One way he has chosen to support and promote the sustainability of our limited natural resources is through the materials that he uses. This “green building” combined with integrity, quality craftmenship and a high level of professionalism are the standards to which he continually aspires. He has had the great fortune of being able to have coworkers who share the same values. Nic and his small woodworking company (LI profile) look forward to enjoying the success that comes from creativity, hard work and dedication.
After graduating from college Nic began to foster his interest in working with wood by leading trail building crews during the summer months. Turnpikes, culverts, retaining walls, bridges and other structures were constructed with hand tools and elbow grease in the back country of our wilderness areas of the West.
In the summer of ’97 a good friend who was an accomplished carpenter, presented Nic with an opportunity to help build his house in Olympia. Thus began his carpentry apprenticeship. Two and a half years and hundreds of hours later, with many stops in between, the project was complete. The house (featured in the portfolio) was inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement and in particular the turn of the century architects Greene and Greene. The house remains a wonderful testament to both to Nic that through determination, artistry and hard work, one can truly live within the words “ May the Beauty you love be the beauty you make.”
Nic went on to further his carpentry skills by working for several different contractors and eventually in the Spring of 2001 founded Beech Tree Building Company. After a fruitful year and a half , he was accepted into the College of the Redwoods in California. There they have a renowned “Fine Woodworking Program” established by master woodworker James Krenov. Nic enjoyed a very successful year learning about and building gallery quality, fine furniture. After gaining his certificate he returned to Olympia with new skills and further devotion to high quality custom woodwork.
Nic has always had a great love and appreciation for the natural world and doing what we can to preserve and protect the environment. One way he has chosen to support and promote the sustainability of our limited natural resources is through the materials that he uses. This “green building” combined with integrity, quality craftmenship and a high level of professionalism are the standards to which he continually aspires. He has had the great fortune of being able to have coworkers who share the same values. Nic and his small woodworking company (LI profile) look forward to enjoying the success that comes from creativity, hard work and dedication.
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Adam Rahn, Operations Manager Adam has been in and out of the woodshop since high school. Between semesters in an Industrial Design program at UW-Stout in Wisconsin, he worked under the guidance of lifelong woodworkers and cabinet makers - first by watching, then learning, and lastly giving it a shot himself. In his time at a custom cabinetry shop in Minnesota, Adam found himself progressing from sanding wood trim by hand to measuring and programming entire jobs for the CNC machine. Eager to see more of the great outdoors, Adam and his wife, Maria, moved west to Olympia. His time as Operations Manager at Beech Tree Woodworks is balanced with trips to the mountains, the ocean, and the Emerald City. He is pleased to be working for an eco-friendly company that values quality over quantity. Adam’s favorite part of the job is seeing completed projects, the payoff from many months of design and planning. |
Melissa Heron, Project Manager
Melissa joined Beech Tree in January of 2019 after seven years in custom cabinetry and furniture making in Seattle. She has experience in both designing unique pieces and executing their construction in the shop. Her most memorable project was creating a switchboard for the "Legends of Smith Tower" exhibit in Seattle's original skyscraper, Smith Tower.
Melissa grew up in Chicago and made her home in the Northwest after moving to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University where she majored in Outdoor Recreation. After graduation she worked as a bike mechanic until making a career change to woodworking after attending the woodworking program at Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center.
Melissa is excited to be at Beech Tree Woodworks where she's enjoying the team atmosphere, the emphasis on sustainable building, and creating the best product the the best value for our clients. When she is not at work you can find her running trails or on her quest to find the best dance spots in the South Sound.
Melissa joined Beech Tree in January of 2019 after seven years in custom cabinetry and furniture making in Seattle. She has experience in both designing unique pieces and executing their construction in the shop. Her most memorable project was creating a switchboard for the "Legends of Smith Tower" exhibit in Seattle's original skyscraper, Smith Tower.
Melissa grew up in Chicago and made her home in the Northwest after moving to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University where she majored in Outdoor Recreation. After graduation she worked as a bike mechanic until making a career change to woodworking after attending the woodworking program at Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center.
Melissa is excited to be at Beech Tree Woodworks where she's enjoying the team atmosphere, the emphasis on sustainable building, and creating the best product the the best value for our clients. When she is not at work you can find her running trails or on her quest to find the best dance spots in the South Sound.
Nathan Weiss, Shop Foreman
Nate fell in love with woodworking in high school wood shop. He's been making cabinets since he was 21 (2000). Before that, he tried his hand at butchering but didn't really care for it.
His father is a close friend of the owner of Creative Cabinets in Santa Rosa, California. They just happen to be looking for someone to help in the shop and Nathan was available. So began his woodworking career. This is where he developed his skills of the trade. He was able to build his own shop where he would create full kitchens, bathrooms, and other custom cabinets from start to finish for family, friends and a few others by referral.
Fifteen years later, he had an opportunity to work with his father in his dairy refrigeration business. He left the cabinet shop, learned a lot about different styles of welding, electrical work, refrigeration, how dairy's function and how stinky cows really are! But after just over a year, he realized how much he missed woodworking. He knew he wanted to be in Washington State after visiting friends the previous year and fell in love with the whole place! He loves to fish, loves being outdoors and really thrive in the cooler weather. His young son is following suit!
Nate fell in love with woodworking in high school wood shop. He's been making cabinets since he was 21 (2000). Before that, he tried his hand at butchering but didn't really care for it.
His father is a close friend of the owner of Creative Cabinets in Santa Rosa, California. They just happen to be looking for someone to help in the shop and Nathan was available. So began his woodworking career. This is where he developed his skills of the trade. He was able to build his own shop where he would create full kitchens, bathrooms, and other custom cabinets from start to finish for family, friends and a few others by referral.
Fifteen years later, he had an opportunity to work with his father in his dairy refrigeration business. He left the cabinet shop, learned a lot about different styles of welding, electrical work, refrigeration, how dairy's function and how stinky cows really are! But after just over a year, he realized how much he missed woodworking. He knew he wanted to be in Washington State after visiting friends the previous year and fell in love with the whole place! He loves to fish, loves being outdoors and really thrive in the cooler weather. His young son is following suit!
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Aryeh Harif, Cabinet Maker Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Aryeh joined Beech Tree after a five-year stint as a carpenter, demolition to finish work. Circumstances led him to work on a number of high end and high-performance homes, as well as more run of the mill remodeling. In high school and college Aryeh studied the arts and worked as a student aide in the Evergreen ceramics studio. Eventually he got curious to take a woodworking class and was immediately hooked to keep learning. After school, Aryeh put his newfound construction skills to work building a tiny home on a trailer, where he lives with his wife and two large cats. He still makes pottery and solid wood furniture for his own enjoyment, and especially loves to make projects out of unique pieces of wood that inspire the design of the piece itself. Beech Tree's reputation as a quality, modern cabinet shop came to Aryeh's attention years before he got the job, so he feels a responsibility to keep the bar high. In that regard, it's been a great place for professional growth. There's always an exciting project coming through the shop. |
Josh Cramer, Woodworker
Josh comes from a long line of woodworkers-4 generations! He started at just 10 years old constructing a log nightstand from cedars he cut down around his home. He trained under a Japanese temple builder and studied woodworking at Evergreen for several years. With over 25 years of woodworking experience he specializes in furniture using Japanese architectural joinery.
He moved around a lot when he was younger, but stayed put at age 12 in Shelton. He loves Olympia because it's only an hour away from everything he loves-mountains, beaches, rivers, and cities! He enjoys Beech Tree Woodworks because it's a creative environment where we're always making something different. He feels encouraged to continue developing his skills and feels appreciated for his ability to problem solve.
Josh comes from a long line of woodworkers-4 generations! He started at just 10 years old constructing a log nightstand from cedars he cut down around his home. He trained under a Japanese temple builder and studied woodworking at Evergreen for several years. With over 25 years of woodworking experience he specializes in furniture using Japanese architectural joinery.
He moved around a lot when he was younger, but stayed put at age 12 in Shelton. He loves Olympia because it's only an hour away from everything he loves-mountains, beaches, rivers, and cities! He enjoys Beech Tree Woodworks because it's a creative environment where we're always making something different. He feels encouraged to continue developing his skills and feels appreciated for his ability to problem solve.
Joe For, Woodworker & Delivery
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