Kira Erickson
Whidbey News Times
CLINTON. Carpenters on Whidbey Island don't have to travel far to find local materials for their craft.
In fact, in the back room of Clinton's Madrona Supply Co. many types of lumber can be sold. At the southern end of the island, known as the "Slab Room", customers can find local wood blocks ranging from alder to maple cherry and walnut for their next furniture project. There is even Madrona, the name of the gift shop.
The panels are manufactured by Turnco Wood Goods, jointly owned by Madrona Supply Co. Yanoi and Kelly Cameron. Ten years ago, the couple moved from Metro Vancouver, British Columbia to the quiet countryside of Clinton.
Kelly Cameron, a former mechanical engineer, shares her experience with Turnco Wood Goods, who works at the store.
“I like to focus on the things that people use in their homes to improve their daily lives,” he said.
The initial focus was on the production of functional furniture such as bookshelves, counters and dining tables. He has since created branched tapestries, a form of decorative art that allows the viewer to focus on the simple beauty of a piece of wood.
Kelly Cameron works as a carpenter for Turnco Wood Goods in Clinton. (David Welton)
In addition to furniture, the company is also known for its cutting boards, rolling pins, and glass jar lids, among other things.
The wood is harvested from various locations such as a tree farm near the Glendale area. In the humid climate of the Pacific Northwest, wood drying is an important and often slow process. The rule of thumb, says Kelly Cameron, is one year for every inch of thickness.
His favorite wood comes from madrona, an orange coastal tree that produces leaves and berries.
At Madrona Supply Co. lumber costs range from $1 scrap to $1,000 slabs.
"Don't try to be perfect," Kelly Cameron advised aspiring carpenters. "Just do something for fun or study and be better next time."
