Hi, I’m Ifer Thompson, founder of Timberworks. For years, I worked as a municipal attorney in Maine and I loved that work. But the moment I stepped in front of a lathe, I realized something profound and deeply grounding had been missing from my life. Woodturning completely transformed my relationship with creativity, focus, and craft.
As my passion grew, I began looking for a community of fellow turners and makers but ran into a frustrating roadblock. Pretty quickly, I realized how isolated the craft can be - and how high the barriers. Woodturning is booming right now, yet for many it remains an isolated hobby hidden away in private basements and garages - or completely out of reach due to steep costs and a lack of accessible spaces.
I'm not building Timberworks to show off my own work, and I don't claim to be a master turner. I’m building this space because creativity and craftsmanship belong to everyone. Timberworks is a stage designed to dismantle barriers and build a vibrant and inclusive community.
OUR VISION
A dedicated turning studio and community built around 4 goals:
Removing Barriers: We are making woodturning physically, financially, and socially accessible. By providing access to a fleet of premier lathes and top-tier tools, we ensure anyone can create without the massive upfront overhead.
Elevating Public Appreciation: Through our high-visibility, street-facing retail gallery, we are bridging the gap between the workshop and the public. We want to increase awareness and elevate the art and craft of woodturning by giving it the premium stage it deserves.
Encouraging Growth & Innovation: This is a space to innovate and explore. Whether you are a total beginner using a gouge for the first time or a seasoned master experimenting with complex sculptural forms, we provide the tools and environment to fuel continuous learning.
A Platform for World-Class Expertise: Timberworks is not a one-person show. Our curriculum will be led by a rotating roster of local, regional, and national woodturning experts. We are giving the country's finest instructors a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility to share their mastery through workshops and live demonstrations.
"You don't need a massive garage or thousands of dollars in tools to get into turning. You just need the curiosity to start. We’ve built the rest."