Valley House is a one-woman operation that started when Kelli's grandfather's health started to decline. He was a woodcarver and carving was a way she could connect with him when they could no longer communicate. When he passed away, she inherited his hand tools and began teaching herself how to use them. The tools are up on her shop wall and are seeing good use again.
Kelli sources her raw materials with intention and responsibility. Her wood is sourced from a local wood supplier and occasionally her own woodland and small orchard. She partners with furniture makers in town for scrap pieces, especially walnut. She makes an effort to use every piece of wood because she believes that each scrap of wood deserves a fair shake.
The same ethic is applied to Valley House sewn goods. All fabric scraps are used to make small bags and other useful things, and most fabric is deadstock or recycled outdoor fabric.
The beauty of small-scale woodwork and craft is that scraps can become so much more than kindling or landfill. They become the scrap vases and block brushes and trail wallets that have the honor of sitting on your tables or in your pockets.
