RPM Woodworks

Aside from the holiday season, this must be the second-most popular time of the year for giving gifts. When you get that bridal shower, wedding, anniversary, or birthday party invitation in the mail, one of the first things to cross your mind is: What do I give for a gift?

You want your gift to be special, and if you give a gift from RPM Woodworks, your gift will certainly be one that is one-of-a-kind and one that will certainly be cherished forever.

Ron McCloskey is the craftsman behind RPM Woodworks, and he has been creating quality custom furniture and home décor for about 30 years. “It all started in my high school woodshop class. I made a chess set and table that I was really proud of, and I’ve been working with wood ever since,” said Ron who lives north of the Pittsburgh area but can ship his pieces anywhere within the Continental United States.

In addition to live-edge and epoxy charcuterie boards, end-grain cutting boards, custom furniture such live-edge and epoxy desks and tables, he has the capability of laser engraving gift items such as the charcuterie and cutting boards, wooden and slate coasters, and to transfer photos into custom-engraved wooden keepsakes.

“I work mostly with walnut and maple that is locally sourced,” said Ron, “but I also use exotic woods such as Purple Heart and Blood Wood.”

Some of his most popular items are the live-edge and epoxy charcuterie board and the 3-D end-grain cutting boards. “Engraved slate coasters ($20/set of 4) have also been in high demand,” said Ron, who says that his customers typically give them as unique wedding, birthday, housewarming and holiday gifts. “They are versatile enough to suit any occasion. Also, other customizable items can be given as bridal shower, baby shower, and wedding favors.”

On average, custom boards can take about three weeks to make, depending on availability of the wood requested. The charcuterie boards start at $165, cutting boards start at $185, and custom furniture depends on each project and materials used. The charcuterie boards are finished with Odie's™ all-natural, food-safe, solvent-free oil, while the cutting boards are treated with his own signature mineral oil blend, which he includes with each cutting board purchase. Engraving is extra. For other custom gifts, it depends on the scope of the project and materials used.

His custom furniture is built with care according to dimensions and specifications purchasers provide, type of wood and finish desired, and can include colored resin elements.

“Each gift is one-of-a-kind and crafted with the highest quality materials and attention to detail,” said Ron, who also noted that when people purchase from him, they are also supporting small businesses and their local economy.

Orders can be placed through the RPM Woodworks site at: www.rpm-woodworks.com. On the website you can also browse some of the unique and exquisite creations Ron has made and read testimonials from satisfied customers.

If you are interested in commissioning a custom-piece, you can either contact Ron through the website or at his email address, which is rpm@rpm-woodworks.com.

By Janice Lane Palko