Meet Julie Jackson | Woodworker, Furniture Maker, and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what principle do you value most?
Conservation matters most to me. I feel the work I create is art confined by conservation. I only use lumber from fallen trees or reclaimed wood. This limitation yields unique and beautiful results. A tree growing in a natural environment has variance in growth ring spacing due to wet or dry years, discoloration due to fungi, unique grain patterns due to a protruding branch reaching for the sun, as well as a multitude of conditions in the environment surrounding the tree. This is in contrast to the wood from tree farms where their goal is uniformity and consistency, growing standardized lumber in a controlled environment, steaming the lumber to dull the color variation, and selecting for the straightest grain with no imperfections. With a degree in the Environmental Sciences and a lifetime of waste consciousness, I carefully consider all the resources and energy required to make the art I produce. I believe this value enhances my work, while lessoning impact on the environment.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
It is a rare thing for a woodworker to go out of their way to use reclaimed and recycled materials. Using these materials comes with a unique set of challenges and a unique set of rewards.

I am really proud of my lighting, I love making lamps.

My professional journey has not been easy. I worked several side jobs when I started just to make enough money to buy the equipment and tools I needed. Woodworking is very expensive to get into and it takes time to build your brand. I learned the hard way that in order to produce professional quality work you need to invest in the right tools. Less expensive tools tend to fail and their precision cannot be trusted. Good photos are everything. Ask for advice from those ahead of you.

I want people to know how much care and thought goes into the products I make and how much I love adding wooden beauty to homes!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for the week, I’d take them to hike at Griffith Park and then watch the sunset at the Griffith Observatory. I’d take them to one of the many run clubs around the city, specifically the Silver Lake Track Club. We’d go the Hammer Museum, the LACMA and then spend a whole day at the Getty Museum enjoying the grounds and the art inside. We’d get coffee from my favorite coffee shop, Picaresca Barra de Cafe in Boyle Heights. We’d eat so much good food, including breakfast at the Kitchen Mouse in Highland Park, lunch from Be U in Silver Lake, and pizza from Quarter Sheets in Echo Park. We’d get a drink in the outdoor space at Bacari or indoors at the Bigfoot Lodge. We’d see an improv show at the Dynasty typewriter, the Elysian Theater, and UCB Franklin. I’d give them a tour of my wood shop and the fashion district and then eat at Sonora Town. We’d go to a show at Roadhouse Records. We’d spend a day at the beach near Malibu and go on one of the many hikes in the area. Other places we’d eat at would be Night + Market, Town Pizza, Woon, Pine and Crane, and many taco stands.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A big shoutout to Arbor Exchange! I got to apprentice with Josh from Arbor Exchange in 2014. He taught me how to build furniture using reclaimed wood and connected me to so many amazing woodworkers! Shoutout to Paul Delmont who let me practice woodturning on his lathe when I was a complete beginner. Shout out to the American Association of Woodturners who have clubs all over the US, offering demonstrations, lathe practice, and a wealth of knowledge for turning wood. Shoutout to some of my favorite woodturners, from whom I have learned so much through their videos and practice, especially Ashley Harwood. Shoutout to Street Tree Revival for having an abundance of rescued urban lumber. The biggest shoutout goes to my partner in life and business, Jonathan Meador. He was with me on the day my first tools arrived and has been a constant support through all the ups and downs of owning a business. He has also implemented so many great practices and designed all the furniture we make.

Website: www.surclewood.com

Instagram: @surclewood

Image Credits
Meg Aghamyan, Anna Powell Denton, Aaron Shintaku, and Ryan Haack.