SUTTONS BAY -- In tonight's Made with Michigan Hands segment, I featured two artisan woodworkers based in Suttons Bay.
Jim Benedict, owner of Woodbine Custom Craft Furniture; and Fred Rehak, owner of Rehak Designs, work piece by piece for individual clients to produce one-of-a-kind products.
Jim Benedict said, "It's a collaboration that's grown over 20 years and we work real well together."
Fred Rehak said, "Just dealing with individual customers that like something very personalized. It's very important to us."
Even though that extra care might take a little longer, their clients know it's worth it.
Rehak said, "I would think that anything that in the shop, a piece of furniture would, you know a week to two weeks would be minimal and then Jim does larger projects and he'll work on it for months."
Both artisans say it's their attention to detail that sets their products apart.
Benedict says, "You can spend the time it takes to do a piece the way it should be done. If you're doing production or other types of work you really don't have the time to look at the types of wood you're using or grain and match the grains."
It seems that this kind of craftsmanship is becoming a lost art.
Rehak says, "I think it's really sad that the industrial arts program in this country and the high schools have diminished greatly."
But they both love what they do.
Benedict says, "It's extremely satisfying because you start with a pile of lumber and slowly you start working on it and as you progress along, it starts taking shape and then all of a sudden, there's this finished project and you stand back and you look at it and you really feel rewarded."
Both companies will have pieces on display at the Leelanau Furniture Show which begins tonight at 118 E. Front Street in Traverse City from 6-11 pm. The show will continue May 21 - 28 from noon - 6 pm every day.
