Jim lives in Seattle, WA with his wife Wendy. He continues to produce fine handcrafted pieces of Rustic Furniture and Old Western Wagons. Jim and Wendy have 28 acres in Long Lake and spend part of each year producing and collecting materials from there.

His new endeavors are always expanding and exciting.  Jim and his long time partner, Charlie Sabattis, originally from Long Lake, NY now residing in Fairfield, Maine, is a 7th generation descendent of "Mitchel Sabattis," famous Indian guide and founder of Long Lake, own 48 acres in Maine.  Jim and Wendy also spend time here in Maine collecting raw materials for their furniture.  Together Jim and Charlie also created a very unique site called Rustic Videos , where they sell how-to videos on making Rustic Furniture and many other woodworking projects, as well as many adventure, flying and fishing videos.  You can also find many woodworking tools, furniture plans and books on making and creating conventional and rustic furniture.

Truly a renaissance man, Jim has combined his many talents and interests into a lifestyle that reflects the best of Adirondack living. Besides his woodworking, he is also an accomplished musician, songwriter, painter, photographer, avid skier and commercial pilot. His flying career began with piloting floatplanes for Herb and Tom Helms, legendary Adirondack bush pilots.  Jim now continues his flying in the world famous Dehavilland Beavers, flying for Northwest Seaplanes of Seattle, WA. He is a charter seaplane pilot and flies from Seattle to the "North Coast" of British Columbia.

Jim's work can be found in many of the Adirondack Great Camps, private homes and lodges throughout the country. Among the other places where he has displayed his work are: The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY; Barry Gregson's Adirondack Rustics Gallery  in Schroon Lake, NY;  The Adirondack Store and Gallery in Lake Placid, NY;  The Ditomaso Gallery in Jackson, WY;  The Astoria Fine Art Gallery in Jackson Hole, WY; The Ralph Kylloe Gallery in Lake George, NY;  to name just a few.  His work is also featured in Ralph’s exquisite book, Rustic, Chase Reynolds Ewald's book Cowboy Chic, and he has been featured in magazines Adirondack Life, Cowboys & Indians, Log & Timber Style, & Log Home Design Ideas.

In his own words > It was 26 years ago that I became interested in seriously making, creating, designing, and building Rustic Furniture. When I began in the early 1980's, Rustic was once again just on the crux of becoming "something big." I have to say a special thanks to Craig Gilborn who lives in the Adirondacks. Craig worked very closely with the Adirondack Museum, in Blue Mtn. Lake., NY, as director for some 20 years. His book entitled Adirondack Furniture and the Rustic Tradition was and still is the main source book for many rustic furniture makers including myself. This was the first book I purchased on the subject of Rustic Furniture. Other folks along the way have energized and excited me to keep on with rustic furniture making, and because of them I am a far better craftsman today than if I hadn't met them. I still use Craig's book largely today for new designs and technical information. There are  many other rustic books which I love too though. I've included most of the best books on my Rustic Books page. For years I have loved being in the woods, collecting raw materials for my work and above all being astounded at the beauty and magic the forests hold. I think that is one of the best aspects of making rustic furniture, to be away from it all, just nature and me. I remember long ago when I first started in my rustic endeavors. I was living in Long Lake, NY, in the Adirondack Mountains working as a carpenter for the local lumber yard owned by Bill Spengler. I owe a lot to Bill for giving me such a great place to work and a wonderful opportunity to learn home building. In the winter was the usual lay-off, so I asked our town supervisor, John Hosley, if he had any work. He and his wife Lori hired me often to do remodeling work. I was at a point where I needed money badly to pay my ever-increasing bills. I remember it distinctly. I was sitting in a little coffee shop called "Big Wally's" overlooking the lake. John Hosley and Tom Bissell Sr., also a native of Long Lake, and I, were shoulder to shoulder, coffee cups in hands, when I asked that question. Well, the answer was no, but they both suggested rather enthusiastically that I should do what the ol' timers did and make rustic furniture to sell to the tourists and camp owners. And so I started collecting twigs and bark, roots and stumps. My first pieces were a bit crude but I took a great liking to it. The smells of the fresh cut twigs, the curves of the branches. I fell in love with the look of the pieces through every phase of the making until completion. Next, I had to sell this stuff. My first trips were to Lake Placid to meet John Prime. He and his mother Ruth own "The Adirondack Store & Gallery." He bought a few pieces initially and through the years very many, pieces from me. He was always a great source for my furniture sales. Then I think, through John, I was introduced to Bob Doyle also of Lake Placid. Bob was one of the first people whom had an exquisite knack for finding all these great old original pieces of Adirondack Rustic Furniture, many pieces dating from the mid to late eighteenth century, and early nineteenth century. He bought and sold many Ernest Stowe pieces as well as many other famous makers works. I remember his house was full of original Rustic. Bob and I began a long lasting friendship and he bought and sold many pieces from me in the late 80's and 90's. He was always able to command top dollar for my works. For this I am truly grateful to both John and Bob. It's amazing to me to look back and see that moment as my beginning in rustic furniture. Now here I am 26 years later, known in some circles throughout the country as a talented rustic furniture maker.