Woodworking in America: Barry Dima

We’re interviewing makers from across the country. Today we’re featuring Barry Dima, a woodworker from North Dakota.

How did you get started woodworking? Who were your mentors?

My dad was Norm Abrams devotee and my mom’s dad was a jack of all trades, so tools and wood were always in the air for me growing up. Plus my mom’s an artist who always encouraged creativity. But it wasn’t until I got an apartment of my own that I started my own projects. I think a spice rack was first. The wood (particle board) was salvaged from an IKEA desk someone in my apartment building had thrown out. The satisfaction was immediate, so projects grew from there—as did my desire to learn from those better than me.

My mentors come from two personal eras. First were all parasocial via print and the Internet—Peter Follansbee, Chris Schwarz, Toshio Odate, Roy Underhill, and…