Meet Bill Brown of Tangleoak Woodshop in Highlands Ranch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Brown.

Bill, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been a maker for as long as I remember. My first projects were wooden go-carts that brought us hours of entertainment. When I was just twelve years old, I re-purposed an old headboard and used it to build a toy box for my younger brothers and sisters as you will see in the images that follow I still love making toy boxes for my family.

I built my first real woodshop in the basement of my first home when I was twenty-seven years old. It was centered around a ten-inch Sears contractor saw that I keep for thirty years. I was so thrilled at all the furniture, bookcases and cabinets that I could make with that simple saw and a good router. I bought every how to book and publication that I could find and I slowly taught myself how to build fine furniture. It was a process. As a lifelong maker, I am always in the midst a project and always dreaming about my next project. It’s very rewarding to see your ideas take shape and become beautiful creations that people just love to look at, to touch and to use on a daily basis. There is nothing in this world that is quite as rewarding as being a maker.

When I am not exploring Colorado or riding the Highland Canal, I am in my woodshop building fine furniture for family, friends and clients. Nine months ago, I decided to showcase my creations on Instagram and I now have several hundred followers. I spend a couple hours each day in real organic engagement and meaningful communication with other makers. I have a brief bio and a “Meet The Maker” post on my site that will tell you a bit more about me. You can see more of my work and my complete woodshop tour on my Instagram site – @tangleoak_woodshop

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have always had a full-time job as an optician that pays my bills, so I have never had to support myself by selling commissioned pieces. My struggles have always involved balancing my time, energy and resources between my job, my family and my woodshop. Over the years, I have learned the hard way what types of commissioned jobs to take and what to decline. Things such as building all new kitchen cabinets or refinishing someone’s complete dining room set are just too much to tackle. Fine pieces such as bespoke chairs, single cabinets, coffee tables or country tables are very manageable projects for me.

Please tell us about Tangleoak Woodshop.
At Tangleoak Woodshop, I produce highly refined commissioned pieces that will last a lifetime. Each piece I build will take many hours of joinery, assembly, sanding down to very fine grits and multi-coat finishes. I love using American hardwoods such as walnut and cherry since they are a product of our own managed timberlands and are renewable American resources.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is finishing a custom piece that my family, friends or clients love and find value in for years to come.

Contact Info:

• Email: tangleoak@live.com
• Instagram: @tangleoak_woodshop

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