Crazy Cool (and Cheap) Cutting Boards: Ask a Local Artisan!

While chatting with Jerad Foster, a local Kansas City woodworking artisan, we learned something very cool. Although his studio is best known for making grand custom furniture pieces, he has also been putting his scraps to use in making killer cutting boards at super reasonable prices! So what if you're not local? We're glad you asked!

Any woodworker is bound to have scraps lying around their shop and all it takes is a quick phone call to see if they can turn them into a custom cutting board for your kitchen. They will probably be happy to make something from the leftovers and turn a small profit. You'll be happy that you didn't pay outrageous retail prices for a quality cutting board, and that you supported a local artisan.

Jerad says he sells these gorgeous cutting boards, depending on the size, for $20-$50.

• You can see more of his work over at Studio Build.

We're of course putting in an order for our own but we also think it's a great idea to bust out the Yellow Pages or Google a woodworker in your area. Eat local, buy local — and that includes your kitchen furnishings!

• Also check out Jerad's Home Tour over at Apartment Therapy. His mid-century home sports a beautiful handmade kitchen.

Thanks Jerad!

(Image: Jerad Foster)

Comments (12)

I went to the high school art show last night and my regret today is that I did not buy a beautiful cutting board from a student.

If your artisan doesn't always make cutting boards, make sure to check up on what woods are best for a cutting board so you can advise him/her. Wikipedia suggests hardwoods with tight grains and small pores. Some woods can contain toxins, though I'm not sure if an artisan would be using those types of woods in the first place whether it's meant to come in contact with food or not.

How timely! My friend is apprenticing as a carpenter and started collecting scraps and making boards as a hobby. He made one for my new apartment and it is GORGEOUS. It is a 16-inch square that is 3.5 inches thick. He is in the San Diego, CA area for anyone that is interested.

The wood we use on our cutting boards is most certainly local ! We do make some cutting boards out of mahogany that is recycled scrap from a local window manufacturer. Not exactly local hardwoods but it sure beats them throwing it away.

The Paduak or Bloodwood thats in the board in the pictures shown are highly allergenic to many people especially any of those with previous reactions to tropical woods. If the boards are meant to be used for food prep it would be worth your time alerting your customer's to this fact. I would also suggest filling the knot in the Walnut with epoxy, left open it provides a breeding ground for bacteria.

Other than that they look great

Those are cool boards... and Jerad's a cool guy. Reusing scrap is a very good idea... beats burning it!

This is very good advice! And you can often times get a much more gorgeous cutting board than what you could ever buy. My dad is finishing up one I asked him to make for me. We found a beautifully figured piece of cocobolo...I can't wait until I can use it.

Very nice. I just purchased my third (annual) board from my husband's high school alma mater at their yearly "tech show". Not only are the boards lovely (and very similar to the ones shown) but they alos have great value to me because they were made with care by a student learning a skill that they can use for life.

i4design - That's an excellent suggestion and one I should have remembered as I took woodworking programs in High School! It's a great boost of pride for the kids and a great way for their programs to earn the money they so desperately need.

I purchased one of these boards from Jerad and I couldn't be more thrilled. It is absolutely beautiful and they have great customer service!