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Cedar Classics: Southwest craftsmanship from the
heart by Bill Bruedigam
(Wildorado, Texas)
About four hours from Santa Fe and Albuquerque,
sits the small Texas Panhandle town of Wildorado. There’s not
much there; a gas station, a few small businesses, and a
hand-full of people that call it their home. To the east, twenty
miles or so, Amarillo stands out in the high plains and boasts
the “Coolest nights in Texas.”
Normally you wouldn’t even notice Wildorado
unless you were running low on gas. And even that is rare
because you
Custom Pool Table created by Cedar
Classics photo by Cedar Classics
probably filled up in Amarillo if you are heading west, or
Tucumcari if you are headed east. But, there is something
there, or should I say someone: Jimmy Sherwood, (owner of Cedar
Classics) a southwest cedar furniture builder that would fit
right into Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Sedona, or any of
the other places you would shop for unique, hand-crafted
southwestern furniture. Difference is, Sherwood’s furniture,
though just as artistic, just as unique, just as beautiful, is
half the price you would pay in those other areas.
Jimmy Sherwood in his shop photo by Bill Bruedigam
I had the chance to visit with Jimmy Sherwood
at his shop recently, and we had a great talk about his work,
how he feels about it, what drives him and why he should be your
first stop if you are looking for cedar or juniper hand-crafted
furniture. I walked away knowing that when next I am in the
market for this wonderful style of furniture, Sherwood’s place,
Cedar Classics, will be where I point my mouse.
Sherwood began working with the art form when he
tired of traveling with his previous line of work. Wanting to
spend more time with his family, he answered an ad in the
Amarillo paper for an apprentice in
wood-working. After seven years learning the art of
natural furniture building, the previous owner decided to move on and
asked Sherwood if he wanted to take over. Sherwood jumped right on the
chance, having fallen in love with the work during that seven years, and
bought the previous owner out, lock, stock and barrel. And, he has never
regretted it.
Sherwood, a native of the area, could easily load up
and head off for any of the places mentioned above, but this is home to
him, and the slow-paced life style affords him the opportunity to spend
as much time as he wants in the shop and with his family.
While visiting with Sherwood, I
became even more fascinated with the work he does, and the way
in which he approaches it. All of the cedar and juniper he works
with is hand selected, by him, from mills throughout the
southwest. Even the hardware such as drawer pulls, hinges, etc.,
in many cases is hand-forged by metal artists specifically for
these projects; projects that are given his full focus.
There is not a large showroom, though he does
have a few items in his showroom, he prefers to build furniture
based on what his customers want, and will work on a piece
Bedroom Set created by Cedar Classics photo by Cedar Classics
until finished before starting another
project. Everything from dining tables, beds, dressers,
bedside tables, pool tables and complete dining and bedroom sets are
concentrated on and given his full attention and skills until completed.
He told me of a recent project for a customer that was a complete game
room: card tables, pool table, bar and more.
Sherwood ships nationwide, and will personally deliver
pieces regionally. No project is too large or small, and he loves to
build to suit the needs and desire of his customers. He also welcomes
folks to visit his shop and talk about what they want, etc., but prefers
they visit by appointment only. He’s a “hands-on” guy, and spends most
of his time in the shop.
Juniper Bed created by Cedar Classics photo by Bill Bruedigam
I asked him about the process itself, kind of
a “start-to-finish” scenario, and he filled me in. First, he
goes to the mills and hand selects wood that will work best for
his projects. Then the wood has to be dealt with; stripped of
bark, and seasoned to the point that the beauty of the wood is
at its aesthetic peak, then he selects the right piece for each
project. He told me about a juniper bed he built and has in his
showroom, After getting the wood there and ready, he laid it in
the floor of his shop and sat there staring at it for over a
week before it finally came together in his mind, then he
started the project. The bed is one of the most unique pieces of
furniture I have ever seen, and absolutely beautiful.
After selecting the pieces of wood for a project, the
work and fun begins. The sanding, much of it by hand, starts the
process. Then come the precise cuts, lathes, etc., based on what he sees
through his artistic eyes. The fitting, shaping, and watching never
stops as it all comes together beneath his skilled hands. This is not an
over night process either, and it is not accomplished with cookie-cutter
jigs or a room full of employees each doing a separate piece of the
puzzle. Each piece is original, and built with sincere pride and
craftsmanship from start to finish by the artist himself. A lot of time
and love goes into each project; he told me it takes him about twelve
weeks to do one of his beautiful pool tables.
Jimmy enjoys his work, and enjoys talking with people
about their needs and this shows through in every piece he creates. If
you are in the market for southwest-styled furniture, you owe it to
yourself, and your pocketbook to visit with Sherwood first before
committing to buying elsewhere. Between his location and his love for
his work, you will not find a better place or person to work with on
your next purchase of this style of furnishings.
You will find the same quality of craftsmanship as found
in Santa Fe or similar areas, and will save yourself a
Dining Table created by Cedar Classics photo by Cedar Classics
bundle without compromising beauty or
artistic creation. But the very best benefit of all, is knowing
that your furniture was made with heart, especially for you.
Visit Jimmy Sherwood’s site,
www.cedarclassics.com for more information, then give him a call or
send an email.
Don't forget to tell him that Guidebook America sent you! Cedar
Classics ~
Wildorado, Texas
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