Terry Cott

wood working, furniture

Biography

I've worked with wood most of my life. I was hired as a pattern maker apprentice in Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California with the Federal Government in 1972. Pattern making is the act of creating a wooden outer part, "pattern" and the inside, "core” to be used by the foundry in the manufacture of castings, i.e. valve bodies, engine blocks, etc. The tolerances were within 1/64", which is very tight for wood and has helped in my current passion. I completed my 5-year apprenticeship and transferred to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, in 1979. I was promoted to Planner and Estimator for the pattern shop, foundry and forge shops in 1983. I have always had a passion for woodworking and appreciate the different textures, colors and grain patterns. I built my own wood shop in 1992 and have turned my aspirations to wood art since my retirement from the Federal Government, three and a half years ago.

I am mostly interested in inlays, fine furniture, and the combination of different woods to create the art I now produce. I also enjoy making wooden toys, (kaleidoscopes, tops and Yo-Yo’s). I also enjoy the construction of outdoor furniture, gates, fences, and pergola’s, which are far from the fine furniture I so enjoy. I've constructed cabinets, both utilitarian and custom built-ins. My wife, Karyn Cott, designs and makes fused glass, which I combine with my woodwork to produce one-of-a-kind pieces. In the past 5 years I've discovered a multitude of woods from around the world. It's easy to say, "if it's make from wood, I enjoy it". I enjoy the art and pleasure of design, construction and finish along with the satisfaction I receive from customers upon purchasing my work.

Samples of Terry's Work