There are several ways to purchase furniture and other works from us. We have a number of pieces of furniture available on our gallery floor, though these change quite often as pieces are purchased. While much of the work seen on the website can be purchased online (please see purchase and shipping info) you can always contact us to check on the availability of a given piece. Otherwise, any piece of furniture that you have seen in the Gallery or on the website can be made to custom order. Designs can always be altered to fit the particular needs of your esthetic or space. Please contact us to discuss further options for ordering.
The Wood Co-op Gallery is a retail venue, created by its members, to provide a prestigious location in which to show and sell their work. All British Columbian wood artisans have the opportunity to join The Wood Co-op and apply for representation within the gallery by way of a semi-annual adjudication process. The Gallery has carefully hired and trained dedicated staff members to handle all promotion, sales and orders on behalf of the members.
A turning refers to a wooden object made on a lathe. Effectively, the artisan would take a piece of wood, mount it on the lathe that spins the piece of wood so that they can cut away any excess wood with a series of tools. This is a highly precise art that can yield many forms, from vessels to full spheres of wood and other sculptural forms. Using rare and unusual woods, turnings are often highly sought after as collectibles, for their precision, form and beauty. Often turnings are value-added wood products.
Our members may be interested in the wood that you have available. We publish a monthly newsletter that is sent to the Co-op's members in which you can place an ad for any wood, tools, etc. that might be of interest to our woodworkers. This is a free service that the gallery offers; please contact us with all the pertinent details, as well as your contact information for the ad. Keep in mind that the newsletter only goes out once a month, so it may take some time for an artisan to contact you if they are interested.
Value added refers to the additional value that is created by the processing, refinement, or design of a raw material. In terms of the forest-based economy this is the milling of lumber and the manufacture of wood products for a local marketplace or prior to export. A value added object often uses wood which might be unwanted by others. For example, burls, the knotted pieces of wood generally sought by wood turners, are often considered waste in the forest industry. Woodturning gives these gorgeous pieces of wood new life, by turning them into either functional or decorative objects of affection.
While we do not copy any design directly, we can always use your ideas as inspiration. We can take any idea to our members and explore how they might interpret the design. If you have a particular idea you would like to explore, please contact the gallery to discuss the possibilities.
Our furniture work is guaranteed against any defect caused by design or construction for as long as you own it. Damage caused by wear and tear, natural age-related damage or other unforeseen events are not guaranteed by The Wood Co-op. If you have a piece of furniture from The Wood Co-op that has been damaged please contact us; the artisan who created the piece may be able to repair it.
Most wooden pieces require just the occasional dusting and buffing with a soft cloth. Generally our pieces are accompanied by a statement from the artisan who created it, which includes any specific care instructions for the piece. If you are unsure as to how to care for your purchase, please contact the gallery for further information.
No. Wood should not be exposed to water for any length of time, doing so causes it to absorb the water which will lead to cracking. Any wooden utensil, bowl or other object should be cleaned with a damp cloth and soapy water if necessary. If your kitchenware ever starts to dry out, you can apply a foodsafe product such as our Mountain Muse Beeswax.
Every piece of furniture is finished differently; most of our pieces include a statement from the artisan which outlines general care instructions for that piece. If you do not have a statement for your purchase, it is difficult to generally advise you what to do about a scratch. It is best to contact the gallery so that we can help you determine what kind of a finish your piece has, and what steps can be taken to fix the problem.
A co-operative is a business enterprise, made of up people with a common goal. A co-op addresses the predetermined needs of its members, and works towards this goal. In the case of The Wood Co-op our mandate is the collective support of our membership through promotion and education. Learn more about the Wood Co-op here.
Yes! We are always available for custom work; from small items to large pieces of furniture, the Co-op and our artisans will help you make your visions a reality. As custom work requires the exchange of information with all parties, it is best to contact the gallery to discuss what you are looking for.
The work you see in the gallery and on the website is the work of The Wood Co-op's members. We represent over 150 of British Columbia's best woodworkers; the work you see is a selection of pieces from our artisans. The work comes from all over the province to be shown in the gallery. Learn more about The Wood Co-op here.
Please see the purchase and shipping information section for more information here. Depending on the type of work, you will either be directed you to a downloadable order form, or asked to contact the Gallery for more information.
Yes! We can ship anything and everything, from small accessories to large furniture, anywhere in the world. Small pieces will be charged based on our standard international shipping rates, and will generally be sent by air. For irregular shaped or large sized works we will need to supply you with a quote. Please contact us with your full shipping address, including postal/zip code and the piece that you wish to purchase.
The cost of shipping varies greatly depending on the type of piece shipped, and where it is going.
Below, please a downloadable file with some general rates, based on the size of the pieces being shipped. These costs include insurance and customs brokerage, if the piece is being shipped internationally.
Download rate sheet (PDF 36kb)
For more information, see our Purchasing / Shipping Information page.
All shipments are insured with the shipping carrier for the full value of the work. In the event of shipping damage, The Wood Co-op will do it's utmost to have the work repaired or rebuilt, but ultimately does not assume responsibility for damages.
If you carry your purchase out of the gallery, you are required to pay GST and PST. However, any work that you have shipped from the gallery directly to you are tax exempt. Often, depending on the value of the items, this tax exemption will pay for much of your shipping costs.
We do not have woodworkers who specifically do repairs. Depending on the type of project and its scope, we may be able to inquire within our membership to find an artisan to take on the project.
Yes! We are always available for custom work; from small items to furniture pieces, we and our artisans will help you make your visions a reality. As custom work requires much information from all parties, it is best to contact us in the gallery to discuss the options.
In order to have your work in the gallery, you must first apply to and be approved by The Wood Co-op's jury panel. Jury sessions for new work are held twice per year, on March and September 15th respectively. Please visit our organization's website at www.woodco-op.org for more information and for downloadable application forms.
The Wood Co-op is always looking for talented customer service professionals add to our team. Please see the employment opportunities section, here to find out more.
Yes! He's our mascot, and his name is 'Lunar'. Say hello when you come by, he loves people. While some people confuse him with a sculpture due to his calm nature, don't let him fool you, he's always watching!