A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studios

07/28/2025

A large wine cellar in quarter sawn white is taking shape in the studio. Many moving parts, but in the end after the inlays, trim ans led lighting are added it should be pretty cool!

04/23/2025

One of the best parts of my career is working with amazing people and creating pieces that make their house a home, with the dining room as the focal point. This set was a challenging mixture of curves and facets, ones the truly accentuate the black walnut and tiger maple.
The icing on the cake is to receive their kind words when all is in place:

“Al is the kind of craftsman that you can and should trust completely. You can throw out crazy ideas and he'll take a second, think, and say, “I can do that. Let's meet at the shop and discuss.” Then he delivers. Through a collaborative process, we got an unbelievable product.

Over the last decade, we've worked with Al and a variety of projects, from side tables to a rocking chair. When we were ready to design a dining table, chairs, and a separate breakfast table, Al was the only call. You never have to worry about getting what you pay for. You also get a friend in the process.

Chris and Kristen C.
Helena, Montana

01/10/2025

Lots going on in the shop these past few weeks: a few buffets in cherry and walnut, and a set of walnut dining chairs. It’s lovely to live what you get to do every day…
Why settle for the ordinary, when you can have the extraordinary.

11/25/2024

🎄 XMAS24 Angler Sale: 20% off your entire order!🎣 This holiday season, treat the anglers in your life (including yourself) to the best there is in fly fishing gear.

Discover top-quality, handcrafted fly boxes, landing nets, and rod tubes. Use code XMAS24 for 20% off your entire order!

Place your order by December 7th, to guarantee Christmas delivery via FedEx Ground.

09/24/2024

Community doesn’t find you, or you it, you find each other. As a supporter of some amazing institutions in our beloved community of Helena, Montana, I’ve been gifting pieces I’m blessed to make for over 25 years.

Here’s the latest and the last of the year:
“Harvest” - A free standing cabinet made from a single 16” wide walnut board (thanks to the generosity of my friends at Helena Hardwoods) as well as highly figured waterfall-buninga veneers, quilted maple, cherry and abalone shell.
This piece will be auctioned off this coming Saturday, with all proceeds to support our own Prickly Pear Land trust.
Thank you Helena, for all you’ve done for me…this is a cool piece and it’s for you….
Helena Hardwoods
Prickly Pear Land Trust

09/20/2024

➡️ You know you're speaking to a true artist and craftsperson when they talk about the legacy of the materials and the work they're creating.

My friend Al Swanson adds wood chips to each box he ships so that when it's opened by the recipient, their first moment of this gift is to be transported by scent to wherever the tree originally came from. 🌲

💥 In episode 348 of the Your Stories Don't Define You podcast, Al shares a few extraordinary stories of his community-built legacy-making business, AL Swanson Craftsman Studios in Helena, Montana.🪵

🐟 If you're an angler, you may have drooled over his series of fly boxes, nets, and rod cases in your Orvis catalogs. His perspective on why an artist has to love their medium and be ready to give their work away might surprise you.

You see, Al believes that art is all about community. And if you want to succeed, contributing to your community isn't a good idea - it's a critical component of your success. 🥰

Listen to this episode on Spotify or wherever you find your favorite podcasts!

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

This was a super-fun build and the first of its kind!
A retirement gift for an avid poker player made in walnut, quilted maple, mahogany, abalone shell, leather and brass.
Why settle for the ordinary, when you can have the extraordinary.
alswanson.com

09/17/2024

An angler with a wooden fly box from the A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studios.

05/24/2024

“Sunrise” A credenza in waterfall bubinga veneer, walnut, quilted maple, mother of pearl and abalone shell.
Why settle for the ordinary, when you can have the extraordinary.

05/08/2024

I procured this incredibly rare slab of waterfall bubinga a few years back and turned every thread of it into veneer, with this radius desk top being the latest.
The sunburst pattern (though a challenge) truly exhibits the chatoyance of the grain like no other, and when the client mentioned she loved dragonflies….say no more. It will all come to life tomorrow when that first coat of oil sinks in -