Meet Chris Cerami of Grainyard Woodworks in Conifer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Cerami.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2013 I was working an engineering job I didn’t like and living in a city I downright loathed. I had the opportunity for a talk with the VP of my organization – more of a life goals talk than a career discussion – and he suggested I take up an artistic hobby to balance the engineering work I did all day. Alas, he couldn’t do anything about the job location. I’m not very good at drawing or painting but I took wood and metalworking classes in high school and really enjoyed the process of making. Off I went to Home Depot to grab some basic hand tools and with a couple of scavenged pallets, I made my first piece – a reclaimed picnic table. That table still exists today, and it’s still the worst piece I’ve ever made! Being a quality engineer my first thought was how to make the next piece better. So I built a few benches; they also sucked.

In 2014, I was able to move to Denver through my job. I still built small projects around the house and invested in some basic power tools. Eventually, I made a coffee and end table set and someone offered to buy it. And the coffee table I built to replace it. That next spring I met another maker (now a close friend) at a Denver outdoor craft fair and began some collaborative work. Suddenly I had access to all the tools I needed to build and countless learning opportunities. Oh, and I received a first-hand introduction to the beauty of live-edge slabs! From there it all spiraled out of control. We started salvaging trees and I filled up my backyard with slabs. My two car garage became a two car shop, much to my wife’s chagrin. I bought lots of tools, wanted more, and all my free time was spent in the shop. It became an addiction and here I am today, still hard at the grind. I’m still improving with each new piece and still stretching my imagination with each new design. But hey, at least I’ve made enough this year that I might actually have to file business income taxes for the first time!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
From my perspective the rough part has been getting started. I’ll have stretches where I make a few sales and think I’ve finally gained momentum but then fall flat for months at a time. I still have my daytime engineering job so I’m not dependent on an income from woodworking, so my “rough times” pale in comparison to those who are all in. I’ve had plenty of headaches and long nights but had a security blanket through it all.

Please tell us about your business.
Our business uses almost entirely reclaimed and/or locally salvaged wood; probably in the range of 96-98% of the material was previously considered trash. I’m also a bit of a hoarder when it comes to the wood so I find a purpose for every scrap no matter the size. This enables us to build some truly unique pieces as we let the wood dictate the design. We also really like to differentiate our metalwork from designs you typically see for table bases, incorporating angles, traces of the wood shape, or other challenging design elements to further set a piece apart.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Finally insulating my shop is my most immediate priority! Working in single-digit temps during the winter definitely wears on the excitement of being in the shop. Beyond that I need to build a “statement piece,” something that truly blends art and function in a unique way and also loudly presents my skill and brand. I have an idea and even a rough design but I’m still working on the skill part. Welding is pretty difficult to master it turns out! Eventually, I’d like to be “that guy” for this particular design, kind of how Greg Klassen is that guy who builds river tables.

Pricing:

• Coffee tables in the range of $800-$2000
• Dining tables range from $3k-$10k

Contact Info:

• Email: cerami50@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grainyard_woodworks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Arts—Entertainment/Grainyard-Woodworks-214796929105985/

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