From Fallen Trees to the Table
How We Think About Wood After a storm in Western Massachusetts, the woods look different. Branches that held their ground for years are suddenly leaning against each other. A tree that always stood in the same spot lies on its side with its roots open to the air. You see rings you’ve never seen before. […]
Our Story
Spencer Peterman is always on the lookout for fallen trees rotting in the woods. He gets excited about this kind of stuff. So do his customers. Hidden in those fallen trees — especially the ones covered by moss and dirt — is wood disfigured by the beginnings of decomposition. Turning that wood on a lathe […]
How Fallen Trees Become Functional Art: The Peterman’s Process
At Spencer Peterman, we don’t harvest trees—we rescue them. Our bowls and boards begin not in a factory, but in the woods of Western Massachusetts, where fallen trees become something extraordinary. Here’s how a discarded log becomes functional art, hand-turned with care and built to last for generations. Step 1: Salvaging Fallen Trees with Purpose […]
A Sustainable Summer Picnic: 3 Easy-to-Pack Ideas
Nothing says summer like a picnic under the sun. But while we all love a relaxing meal outdoors, it doesn’t have to come with plastic forks, paper plates, or waste. A sustainable summer picnic is all about simple, delicious food, seasonal ingredients, and reusable essentials that make your meal as beautiful as it is kind […]
How Can You Tell If a Wood Product Is Truly Handmade?
How can you tell if a wood product is truly handmade? Between resellers misrepresenting their wares and big-box stores using it as a marketing buzzword, it’s easy to be misled by the word handmade. If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if a wood product is truly handmade, you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll […]