Melanie Abrantes Designs is a Bay Area-based producer of handcrafted, heirloom objects. Founder Melanie Abrantes believes that in order to create something beautiful, you have to get your hands dirty. She founded her company in 2013 when she realized there was a growing American market for handmade goods. Working with a variety of unique materials, Melanie strives to create products…
Pepper is a CPA with 30+ years experience in the financial management of companies contracting with the Federal government in the non-profit public health space and the Defense Department technology industry.
Pepper’s interest in woodworking started when she took up fiddle playing a few years ago and became curious about the qualities of different woods used in stringed instruments. She has a deep interest in traditional joinery and the use of hand tools, but enjoys learning about a wide variety of design and construction methods.
Elizabeth is a woodturning and spoon carving instructor who lives in Seattle, WA. She began woodworking in 2015, and some of her first creations included several pieces of furniture in the Arts & Crafts style. She eventually turned to smaller objects and now specializes in bowls, spoons, and boxes.
Tim has over 10 years experience as a woodworker and enjoys building fine furniture (tables, desks, credenzas, boxes, chairs) as well as home improvement projects (cabinets, shelves, mantels, trim, doors, decks, garden furniture) and small gifts/useful household objects (picture frames, trays, cutting boards, knife holders, etc.). Prior to retiring in 2020, he spent over 35 years as a High Tech executive leading services organizations at companies such as Accenture, Dell Technologies, and Oracle. Tim is honored and grateful to serve as the non-profit Austin School of Furniture Board President as well as a Community Class volunteer instructor.
Maria Salmeron is an enthusiast of all things related to creating a beautiful home. Her love for architecture, construction, landscaping, and furniture design fuels her passion for enhancing living spaces. Although new to woodworking, Maria has a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship. With 11 years of experience in residential building, it’s a natural progression for her to delve into the art of woodworking.
Austin’s background is in creative digital marketing, operations, and management but his passion will always be woodworking. He has years of experience as a hobbyist furniture maker and hopes to utilize his business experience to create one of the best woodworking educational institutions.
Christine Crumpler-Graf serves as the Interim Executive Director of Austin School of Furniture Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit services to the transition of ASF into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Greater Austin community.
I am a designer/maker living in Denver and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. I was initially drawn to furniture design because it occupies a unique position between the fields of fine art and design. Furniture can both exist as a product, addressing a specific need, or as a stand alone sculptural…
Kathryn is a furniture maker based in Dallas, TX focused on restoration and conservation. Informed as a cultural and legal anthropologist, Kathryn treats the trade with a blend of artistic academia and practical woodworking. Kathryn apprenticed with multiple master cabinet-makers for four years after a beginning in Dallas refinishing shops. Kathryn is a contributing writer…
Sarah Watlington is a furniture designer and maker in Los Angeles, CA. She is a graduate of the Krenov School of Fine Woodworking, the project manager of Offerman Woodshop, and teaches a range of woodworking at a number of institutions. In her work, Sarah celebrates the exploration of new forms while using traditional woodworking techniques as…