Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tom Baxter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tom, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I grew up in a multi-generation home, with my Mom, Grandfather, Grandmother and Aunt. They really created an environment that fostered creativity and hands-on learning, which has had a lasting impact on my woodworking. Growing up, I was surrounded by artistic influences and was so amazed watching my mom and aunt drawing or painting. They encouraged me to explore my own creativity as well. That support helped build my confidence in trying new things and expressing myself artistically.

On the woodworking side, my grandfather played the biggest role. He not only taught me many of the woodworking skills I use today but also always gave me access to tools and encouraged me to keep learning. If something didn’t work, it was a learning experience rather than a failure, and that mindset has stuck with me. I’ve always had the space to grow, and there is always more to learn.

That environment of creativity and continuous learning has translated directly into what I do today. I’m fortunate to make a living doing something I love, and really, I don’t know that I would have ever tried woodworking had I not grown up with the supportive family I have.

Tom, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I really specialize in live-edge slab and epoxy-resin builds, but I am constantly learning new skills that allow me to diversify my services and bring my clients visions to life. In terms of how long I’ve done this professionally, I’m still very new, but I’ve always been a craftsman. I had, however, taken an extended break from woodworking because of some serious health issues, along with becoming a single father at 18 years old. I didn’t pick back up with it until my late 20s. I really just fell into woodworking again through a series of unexpected events. My old boss asked me to sand down some charcuterie boards for her and paid me a hundred bucks for it, and that sparked something. Not long after, I was put in contact with someone who mills lumber and I was able to get it at a great price, so I started buying slabs from him for personal projects. My wife really encouraged me to create and she could see that I loved what I was doing. She could see that I was happy and that made her happy. She really helped build my confidence and I eventually decided to post some of the pieces I was making online, and, to my surprise, they started selling. After a few items sold, I started to realize that I might actually be able to make this into something more than just a hobby, I could do this full time. So, there wasn’t just one defining moment, there were a lot of small steps that led me here. Another big factor is that I’ve been on dialysis for over 13 years. Since I have treatments 3 times a week that leave me absolutely exhausted afterwards, it’s been hard to hold down a traditional 9-5 job. When I married my wife in 2021, I was already a father to my wonderful daughter, Zoey, and I wanted to provide the best life possible for them. They gave me the motivation to really buckle down and make woodworking into something more than just a hobby. Our house has a small enclosed patio, and I turned that little patio into a 160 square foot woodshop. It has no insulation, so summer is extra hot and winter is freezing cold, it has no electricity, so I run a single extension cord and use power tools very sparingly. I use traditional methods and a lot of vintage or restored hand-tools. I may spend hours, if not days on something that another shop could just press a button and have done on a big CNC machine in 10 minutes, but I truly love the work. I feel like I’m able to produce a more personal and detailed product in the end, and I can confidently say my work is legitimately handcrafted. I like to think that is what sets me apart from most shops.
I’ve been able to build something I’m incredibly proud of. Despite the health challenges, lack of space, lack of funding, lack of power tools, I still produce high quality, heirloom woodcrafts. I do my best to maintain a positive and happy outlook, and that joy and optimism go into every piece I make. I have an absolutely beautiful life, and I hope that beauty shows in my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

A really rewarding part of being a woodworker is when a client comes to me with an idea that might not be fully formed, or they might not know exactly what they want, or if it’s even possible. I have the chance to step in, reassure them, and say, ‘Yes, I can make that happen. Thank you for trusting me.’ From there, I dive into the work, keeping them updated throughout the process. Watching their excitement grow as the piece comes together is one of my favorite things, but the best moment is when they see the final product and it’s not just something they like, it’s something they truly love. Hearing them say they love a piece, or how much they appreciate both my vision and my respect for theirs, makes all the hard work worth it. That feeling of making someone genuinely happy through my craft is incredibly fulfilling.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe one of the best ways the community can support creatives is by buying local. Take the time to research your local artisans, talk to the artists and builders in your area, and support real people creating unique, lasting pieces. You can buy a piece of furniture from a big box store, and it’ll serve its purpose—for a while, but then it breaks, and it’s made so cheaply that you can’t justify paying to repair it, so you end up buying a new one, and shortly after, it breaks and you’re stuck replacing it over and over. It ends up costing way more in the long run. If you can invest in a quality item, I think its the smart choice to do so. Plus, there is a much better resale value if you decide to change your decor. The amount of planned obsolescence in most modern furniture is just crazy. I take pride in creating heirloom-quality pieces that will last for generations. These are pieces that can be passed down or even refinished 100 years from now, still strong and beautiful, still part of the family.

I do have to charge more than I’d like sometimes because of material costs and the time it takes to make something by hand, but I always remind my clients that they are investing in something that’s built to last. Artists and builders like me can’t compete with big box companies churning out low-quality items for pennies on the dollar, but the value in what we create is so much greater.

I know times are tough and we’re all feeling it, but I just wish people would take a closer look at what’s happening in their communities. Instead of going for the instant gratification of something mass-produced, consider investing in a piece that’s not only functional but can evolve with you—a desk that could one day become a coffee table or an entryway table, and will still be there, sturdy and timeless, no matter how many times you move. That’s what truly excites me about this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Roguelegacywood.com
• Instagram: @RogueLegacyWoodcraft
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Roguelegacywoodcraft
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Rachel Baxter