Jeff Reinhardsen/ In love with wood, woodcarving, and a life infused with creativity

Jeff’s creativity is grounded both in his extraordinary abilities in working with wood, and in his inspired problem solving and life skills.

He shared this illuminating story:

“My father showed me, by example, that by exercising my imagination, I could take on tasks for which I had little or no experience, and achieve some degree of success, which would then become the seedling of experience that would grow into a strong tree with the nurturing of utilization. Each new experience produced new seedlings and, after a lifelong of new challenges and new experiences, I am now surrounded by a stand of experiential “trees” from which to seek solutions, as well as a fertile imagination.

My mother encouraged me, again by example, to be a keen observer of nature’s gifts and the value of patient attention to detail. I am both humbled and inspired by all the breathtaking moments that practice has provided over my lifetime. It also became a foundational discipline in applying creative approaches to this journey.  

I grew up surrounded by antique Shaker-style furniture, and an ancestral Quaker work ethic from which I developed a certain aesthetic penchant for the application of logic, simplicity and strength in the things I created, an approach that informed me through most of my journey, and in surprising circumstances.

Creativity is far more than artistic endeavors, of course. Though creating objects that bring pleasure from both form and function have almost always been satisfying, the same discipline I applied to these creations, I also applied in my efforts to both understand, and to become, a good leader … to be an attentive friend … to become effective in communicating in a business organization and internationally … and to be a good partner raising a family (one of the most important creative endeavors!).

And now, in retirement, as that creative itch greets every new day, I wander through that experiential stand of trees and endeavor to exercise both my imagination and my hands, bringing the fruits of past creations to the next project!

A buffet of creative outlets that have included, but are not limited to: Local theater acting … furniture & cabinetmaking … structural & finish carpentry … NW Indian carving … nature photography.”

Contact & Inquiries:

Reach out to Jeff regarding purchase inquiries, other questions, or just to catch up. You can reach him at:

email: jlreinhardsen@msn.com
phone: 253-261-4628