Outstanding Service | High-End Quality and Natural Resources | Creative Designs

See How Thom Decides To Make His Pieces

Exotic Woods

Look below at the 16 exotic wood types that are offered as they are provided. Each wood is imported to a local vendor near where the products are made. See product listings of what wood is in each item. Use of these woods is dependent upon availability and current cost.

feature-item-1
Purple Heart

Central and South America

feature-item-2
Bubinga

West Africa

feature-item-3
Bocote

Mexico

feature-item-4
Afrormosa

(Teek) West and Central Africa

feature-item-5
Canarywood

South America

feature-item-1
African Mahogany

Africa

feature-item-2
Iroko

West Africa

feature-item-3
Padauk

Central and West Africa

feature-item-4
Leopard Wood

Central and South America

feature-item-5
Wenge

Central Africa

feature-item-1
Sapele

West Africa

feature-item-2
Bloodwood

Australia, South America, and Africa

feature-item-3
Osage Orange

Arkansas, Oklahoma

feature-item-4
Ipe

Central and South America

feature-item-5
Mediterranean Olive Wood

Mediterranean Region

feature-item-6
Zebra Wood

West Africa

feature-item-7
Black Limba

West Africa

Domestic Woods

Look below at the domestic wood types that are found in our collection. Each wood is transported to a vendor near where the products are made. Use of these woods is dependent upon availability and current cost.

feature-item-1
Red Oak
feature-item-2
Poplar
feature-item-3
White Hard Maple
feature-item-4
Hickory
feature-item-5
Cherry
feature-item-1
Soft Maple
feature-item-2
Ash
feature-item-3
Walnut
feature-item-4
Alder
feature-item-5
Basswood
feature-item-6
White Oak

Pieces

From one piece of woods to hundreds...

The Number of Pieces Per Product Category Range from 1 to 200.

Wooden vase with a zipper on a wooden surface Wooden heart-shaped puzzle on a reflective surface with a white background Wooden vase with checkered pattern on a wooden surface Wooden vase with multicolored pattern on a wooden floor Wooden vase with a pattern on a reflective surface

Woodworking Process

Shop Completed Products
  • Man walking down a paved path lined with trees on both sides

    Generating The Idea

    Thom generates ideas through abstract thinking, receiving ideas, and thinking through what is seen in nature. He also thinks about how he can scale current ideas (having them become larger or smaller in size, or evolved) into the next generation of the product.

  • Man sitting on a park bench reading a book with greenery in the background

    Draw The Idea

    The drawing is done with pencil and paper to test the feasibility of the product, allowing for changes to be made over time. "It is good to do this to be able to see it."

  • Thom Pabst cutting exotic wood for a one of a kind wood working piece.

    Choosing Which Wood To Use

    From the design, Thom will then choose the wood to help bring the design's intention to life through the wood character. For custom work, the client can choose the desired wood for this part as well.

  • Thom-Pabst-Working-on-creating-a-custom-piece-for-friends-while-in-a-workship-wearing-a-blue-shirt

    Cultivating The Design

    The most time consuming part of the woodworking process is making the design come to life in the choice of wood - employing all the tools in the shop necessary for that particular piece. It includes cutting and gluing the wood together, transferring the designs (mathematics and geometry), flattening the base, and bringing it to be able to be sanded.

  • Man working on a wooden bowl in a workshop

    Shaping, Examining, and Testing

    A series of different sand papers are used to be able to finish the product with oil or spray lacquers (many options) which are applied in five to six layers. Then, to give you every reason to be excited about it, branding is added.

1 5
Shop Completed Products

Photo Gallery

Popular Product Categories

Shop Now

Meausrements of Each Product Category

Here is the measurement range for each of the vase subcategories:

  • Zipper Vases: 9 1/2" x 4" diameter
  • Open Segment Vases: 9" x 6" - 10" x 9"
  • Closed Segment Vases: Most closed segment vases are 9" tall x 9" diameter or 9 1/4" tall x 9" diameter
  • Cremation Vases: Typical cremation vase is between 10" - 11" tall x 9" diameter

Jewelry Boxes: Jewelry box series's range from 8"-18" tall x 4 1/2"-10 1/2" wide x 4/1/4"-6" long to help with storing a wide variety of jewelry.

Marriage Box: 11" wide x 9" deep x 3 1/2" high

Other Hand-Crafted Boxes: Range from 6"x 4" - 11" x 5"

Cheese Slicers: Each cheese slicer is approximately 6" x 9".

Cross: 12" x 7"

Please refer to each bowl listing to see measurements.

Custom Work Opportunities

By request only and subject to time constraints, availability of materials, and advance payment.

His willingness to do a project would depend on availability of wood, time to do the project, and adequate space to do it.

A benefit to doing a custom work opportunity is to have something made that you are a part of, something that is unique to what you are asking for, and something that will have the quality of workmanship that you expect.

A lot of the value of a hand made wooden piece is owning something that excites you and brings you joy whenever you walk by. Along with having something that you know is beautiful and of good quality, you are able to enjoy it as a part of your art collection.

Most pieces that are made will take five coats of finish depending on the type of finish used. Some finished dry fasted than others. It usually takes 1 - 5 days to complete.

Thom Pabst

Artisan Statement

Both artistic and functional in nature, my work employs native and exotic hardwoods to create my original pieces, which I first sketch on paper. I then decide which woods will achieve my desired effect. I employ the lathe, bandsaw, grinding wheel, and various sanding techniques to bring alive the sketch. I use no stains to produce the desired effect, rather I concentrate on the rich natural beauty of the woods employed.

I have been working with wood for over 60 years. By the time I was 25 years old, I had graduated from college and designed and built my home. Later I designed and built my own furniture and cabinets. This led to building my own woodworking studio that I would use when I retired from teaching. There I progressed from the more practical side of woodworking to the more artisitic side.

I have been exhibiting at art shows and galleries the past 22 years. I was designated one of two Illinois Artisans in wood in 208. After moving back to Indiana, I was designated an Indiana Artisan in wood in 2015. I have always been driven by my passions - whether it be teaching or working in my studio. I cannot fathom a time when I will not be totally involved in my art and life. Involvement keeps me energetic about tomorrow and what it may bring.

Thom Pabst cutting wood on a saw. Huntertown, Indiana woodworking shop with Thom looking at wooden pieces. Man working on a project in a workshop with tools and materials. Huntertown, Indiana woodworking shop with Thom looking at a glue bottle pieces. Person working in a workshop with tools and equipment around Man browsing wooden items on shelves in a storage or display area.
Three-vases-made-with-exotic-wood-all-with-one-of-a-kind-making

Explore The Shop

Decide Which Creation Is For You

Click below to see which is good for you.

Shop Here
Man sitting on a bench outdoors, drawing on a clipboard.

About Us

About the Artisan

We have an about us page in order to read more about who Thom is and his woodworking.

About Us
Two men in a workshop setting, one holding a wooden object. Thom Pabst explaining the information regarding a unique wooden piece. A joyful friend is looking at it.

Questions

Contact Us

Click the button below to access the contact form and more F.A.Q. questions.

Contact Us