Brocklen Johnson

I grew up in a small town in the Southern Interior of British Columbia called Rossland. Well known for its outdoor and mountain culture, I played sports like golf, hockey, baseball, basketball, volleyball, skiing and snowboarding. I followed my passion for the game of golf on a college scholarship and after 10 years of playing professional golf tournaments and coaching others to play, I was ready to start the next chapter. 

I moved to Vancouver in 2013 and while working three part time jobs around the city, I came across the Joinery/Cabinet Making program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). In the first week of class, I learned all about wood characteristics and how to use hand tools to work with all of the different species of wood. I was hooked from then on and woodworking became an obsession, completing my program in 2018.

I have always been inspired by the craftspeople that came before me, my grandfather Clyde, being one of them. I admired him - a tradesman, woodworker, golfer and skier. He built the family summer cottage with his brothers and children, he was always tinkering with some kind of toy to be used by us grandkids. He kept his workspace immaculate and if a tool was borrowed, it had better be put back where it was found. He left an impression on me that in order to do something well, you have to take pride in the end result.

I share the same love for creative projects and reverse engineering things to figure out how they were made or just tinkering with simple machines. As I learned more about the cabinetmaking trade through school and working for various companies specializing in different areas of the trade, I found passion in designing and building custom furniture.

Mastering my skills by learning new methods with the combination of tried and true techniques has become the main objective in my craft. I enjoy the problem solving aspect of designing a piece and figuring out how to put it together. I get fulfilment out of processing raw lumber with my own two hands and creating a piece of fine furniture that will last a lifetime and generations to come. The smallest details make the biggest difference and after many hours perfecting a custom piece, the reward and gratification that comes from delivering a piece to a client to inspire new stories in their home is priceless.

• Red Seal Certified Cabinet Maker

• BCIT Graduate - Joinery Cabinet Making