One of the highlights of my recent trip to California was a visit to Four Sisters Woodworking. Just as you won’t find a Mrs. Smith at Mrs. Smith’s pies there aren’t any sisters to be found on the premises. Like the aforementioned baker, there is a good story about self-sufficient women that doesn’t have a lot to do with the current operation. I’m a sucker for a good story, and I always enjoy meeting other woodworkers.
The common love of wood, and of the process of making things from it forms a bond that makes people you’ve just met seem like old friends. This was especially true about Harry Van Ornum and Les Cizek, the two woodworkers who formed a woodworking partnership in 1994 after training under James Krenov at the College of the Redwoods.



Their shop was originally located in downtown Fort Bragg, Calif., and ground was broken for the current shop just outside of town in 1999. The 3,000-square-foot building was completed, and Les and Harry moved in during the summer of 2001. The shop seems much larger due to high ceilings and abundance of natural light from the many windows and skylights. Located on five acres of redwood forest, the building nestles into its surroundings as if it grew there. “Having a great shop won’t make you a better woodworker,” said Harry, “but it will put you in a much better mood, and when you’re in a better mood, great things can happen.”


Details like windows, natural light, a comfortable floor and the arrangement of tools and benches can make a big difference. These guys really did some thinking before they began, and the result is as close to a perfect shop as I have ever seen. While the building is nice and solid, it isn’t lavish by any means. The construction is simple, and most of the windows and doors are recycled cast-offs from remodeling projects in the area. It’s a great space because it combines simple elements in a cohesive, pleasing way. Harry and Les are both accomplished and talented woodworkers, and they are also students and masters of the creative process.































Their shop is impressive to say the least, but the most impressive thing to me is the way that it all fits together all makes sense. As I walked through the machine room, it was obvious that raw materials had a place to land, and the machines to process it were waiting in line.

On the other side of the building, the slightly smaller bench room was also carefully arranged. Workbenches were where they ought to be, with tools at the ready. It isn’t just a pretty shop to look at; it’s an efficient, working shop where time isn’t wasted looking for things that aren’t in the right place, or taking steps backward instead of forward.

You can get a better look at the shop by taking the tour on the Four Sister’s web site. Harry and Les also offer individual classes and woodworking vacations. You won’t find a better facility, and you won’t find any better teachers.

I came away with a desire to take a closer look at our shop, and to look for ways to make it a more pleasant, sensible and workable space. We plan on making some changes in the coming year, and while we can’t put in any skylights (the occupants of the offices on the second and third floors of our building may have some objections) we will be doing some things that follow the example set by Harry and Les. Maybe we can find an artificial redwood tree to set outside one of the windows.

– Bob Lang