JUSTIN

FOUNDER & WOODWORKER

Justin founded Fernweh Woodworking in 2015 in Bend, OR. With this step into the unknown, he found his deep passion for design through woodworking, eventually specializing in furniture. He developed the Sling Chair and Tripod Table in 2017, which led to his full line of small-batch hand-crafted furniture with the Oxbend Collection in 2020. Justin draws inspiration from Sam Maloof's passion and work ethic, Hans Wegner's practicality, and Finn Juhl's perfect curves. After studying business at Purdue University, he joined the Marine Corps and deployed with an Afghan Police advisory team. He later moved to Oregon to join a wildland fire Hotshot crew, starting Fernweh during the fire off-season.

BARBARA

SALES & MARKETING LEAD

Barbara was first introduced to the world of design by vintage furniture collector and dealer George Champion, after studying Fine Art at the University of San Francisco. Seeing the world of design through the lens of history gave her the vigor to further understand the craft. Upon moving to Oregon she joined The Good Mod working as sales, buyer, and showroom curator. This is where paths converged and Justin and Barbara first met. Barbara joined Fernweh in 2021 and is (remotely) running the Sales & Marketing side of Fernweh, as well as keeping the whole team on track with timely delivery and shipment coordination.

AARON

PRODUCTION MANAGER & WOODWORKER

Aaron joined Fernweh in 2022, moving from Minnesota to join the team. Contrary to expectations of a Fargo-like accent, Aaron speaks like most Americans. He developed his woodworking skills in his grandpa's shop as a kid and later worked as a framer. After serving in the Marine Corps as an Airframe Mechanic shop manager on C-130's, he studied under Tim Rousseau at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine. Aaron's expertise was instrumental in developing the fjoon collection and Nyala batch fabrication techniques. In his spare time, he creates custom flag displays for military funerals.

SARA

WOODWORKER

Sara joined Fernweh in 2020 and quickly mastered good-natured coworker abuse with her quick wit as dry as our high desert air. She grew up in Alaska and thus won’t let us refer to the “contiguous 48 states” ... it has to be the “lower 48.” She’s been in the industry for awhile, coming most recently from a cabinet shop working on custom doors. Justin and Sara first met in local woodworking circles a few years back, and we are so lucky that she wanted to shift from doors to furniture! She has quickly become the shops most proficient applicator of finishes. She studied Sociology at the University of Oregon.