I’ve worked with wood since I can remember. It has been a constant source of joy and relaxation for me outside of my life as a professional pilot, where traveling the globe for over 40 years has taken me to many corners of the earth. Taking vacations for the sake of travel therefore, isn’t my style. Instead, learning vacations inspire and rejuvenate me. So, that’s what I’ve done for the past four decades!

In that time, I’ve learned to sail, design, and build boats at Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine; learned green woodworking and to Build a Chair from a Tree, with J. Alexander in Baltimore, Maryland; studied furniture design and upholstered chair making at Rockland, Maine’s Center for Furniture Craftsmanship; learned guitar making from Ivon Schmukler and built my own classical guitar at the Leeds Guitar Makers School in Southampton, Massachusetts; studied bowl and pen turning in Reno, Nevada; and taken various classes on other tools and techniques of woodworking. I’ve also studied Native American Style Flute playing with R. Carlos Nakai; flute making with Dale Robertson in a small shop in a cathedral in Montreal; and been mentored by the late Maurice Bigham, who was one of the greatest flute makers I’ve ever been privileged enough to know and befriend. Yes…if there’s wood in it, I’ve probably studied its construction and learned a bit about how to build it.

As I approach retirement and ready for the next chapter in life, I crave finally giving my other passion, woodworking, my full attention. Starting a business around this passion is the next challenge and adventure I have chosen.

So, I’ve acquired even more tools and converted my garage into a proper climate-controlled workshop, where my creativity can thrive. I’ve registered my intentions, and completed the required paperwork to begin this business in earnest. The last thing to do….find a perfect name.

Wanting the name to reflect my desire for this to be fun and lighthearted, while also speaking to the nature of the business, I thought back to New England roots and the ship builders of past - and the perfect name came to me……KnotWright Woodworking!

Robin Bray, The KnotWright!