About the workshop
One maker, a lot of fire, and wood that lasts
Jer's Workshop is a small woodworking shop in Hamilton, Ontario, making yakisugi garden beds and small wood goods for natural living.
The maker
Hi, I'm Jer.
I’m a Hamilton-based maker with about 30 years in business behind me, including more than a decade in the food industry. I garden organically, and I build the kind of raised beds I want in my own yard: no treated lumber, no chemical preservatives, nothing that ends up in the food.
Yakisugi gives me that. Fire, a wire brush and pure tung oil turn ordinary SPF lumber into something that stands up to Ontario weather season after season. Every piece that leaves the workshop is built to order and finished by hand, one board at a time.
How I work
What goes into every piece
Honest materials
Wood, fire and pure tung oil. No pressure treatment, no chemical preservatives, no shortcuts in the finish.
Built to order
Nothing sits in a warehouse. Your piece is charred, brushed, oiled and assembled after you order it.
Made to last
Designed to be part of your home and garden for years, with details like below-grade stakes that keep beds square.
From the workshop
What I make
The Yakisugi Series raised beds are available now. Smaller pieces for inside the house are in development and will be added to the shop as each one is ready.
- Yakisugi raised garden bedsThe Daichi, the Niwa and the Niwa Ko, plus custom sizes. Shop the beds
- Cedar coaster setsComing soon
- Wall hooksFor coats, clothing, bags and accessories. Coming soon
- Small goodsMore pieces for natural living, added as they are finished
Built in Hamilton, Ontario
Have a project in mind?
Tell me about your space, your garden or the piece you are picturing.