Claire Butler

Claire Butler is a furniture maker in West Seattle, WA. She first came to PTSW as a student in 2023, taking classes in spoon carving, turning, and tool chest construction. Recently, she came back as an assistant teacher in Megan Fitzpatrick’s Dutch tool chest and saw-bench class. 

One of her primary passions is building stick chairs – vernacular peasant pieces built with simple lines, local woods, and strong joints. She learned to build these chairs from Christopher Schwarz and says she is fortunate to have been a student and assistant teacher in several classes, furthering her development as a chair maker and teacher. 

She is inspired by furniture that has been around for centuries and is meant to live a worn, cared-for life.