Here’s Your Chance to “Build It! with Jory & John”

One lucky winner and a companion will get the opportunity to take a woodworking class like no other in the “Build It! with Jory & John” Sweepstakes from Woodcraft. The group class will take place in a picturesque setting in California wine country at Brigham Design Workshop and Training Center in Paso Robles, where attendees will create their very own custom wood and metal benches.

The class participants will learn a variety of woodworking skills from two of the best – West Coast furnituremaker Jory Brigham and East Coast builder John Malecki – and gain some welding knowledge from Cleveland metal fabricator Jason Radcliffe from 44 STEEL.

“We are excited to offer this tremendous experience to the lucky sweepstakes winner,” Jack Bigger, Woodcraft president, said. “Not only will they have the chance to improve their furniture building skills, they will enjoy a weekend of woodworking camaraderie with other builders, makers and DIYers. Jory and John are great assets to our educational resources, and getting some input from Jason is an added bonus.”

The Grand Prize package, valued at $10,000, includes flights to and from San Luis Obispo, California, transportation to and from the airport, lodging, and $500 spending money. But wait, there’s more — a new SawStop Professional Saw, valued up to $3,149, will also be awarded, shipped straight to the winner!

Entries will be accepted from March 1 to April 30, 2019. The winner, to be announced in May, will take part in a group class in October. Upon completion of the class, the finished bench will be sent to the winner.

Instructor Jory Brigham

For Jory Brigham, woodworking turned into a career simply because he loved what he was doing. Growing up among generations of woodworkers and craftsmen, he discovered his own creative voice at an early age. “I’ve been woodworking since I was a kid,” he said. “It’s been in my family for generations, since my great-grandpa. Just being surrounded by it, it became part of my life.”

As he learned more skills, he became passionate about the craft, and that eventually became the perfect way for him to make a living. “I feel very fortunate and blessed to have found something that drives me and allows me to create a product that can really excite people and be a part of their home,” he said.

With a modern take on nostalgia, Jory designs his pieces with mid-century flair and the idea that furniture should last. “I love to hear people say that my pieces remind them of their grandparents’ furniture. That was back in the day when people bought furniture with an intent to hand it down to their children. They weren’t scared to invest in something that would be a part of their family for generations.”

Jory believes that anyone can find an individual style. You just need to do two things: work with your hands and don’t let adulthood erase the creativity, curiosity, and energy you had as a child. To learn more about Jory, visit jorybrigham.com. 

Instructor John Malecki

Becoming a furnituremaker almost happened by accident for John Malecki. The former NFL player, who had two stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recalled, “I came home from a game to find that a roommate of mine sat on our coffee table and it broke, so we needed a new one.” John wanted something similar to a repurposed door table he had seen, so he did some research, bought a plan and the rest is history. “Then I had friends who were buying houses, and I built stuff for them. I just kept pushing my skill set and design aesthetic and turned it into a business that I’ve become really proud of.”

After the scholarship athlete left the NFL in 2013, he opened his own custom woodworking studio. While growing up, John helped his father and grandfather build things, but as an adult he used online resources and forums to teach himself more about woodworking, metalworking and welding. 

John said his generation didn’t have the benefit of high school shop classes that are now cut from curriculum, so he likes being part of “a DIY movement that is starting to grow and evolve beyond the traditional.” Furniture building is often seen as intimidating to many people. John’s philosophy: “Get a few tools and learn some simple skills – that’s all you need to get started. Get a drill and a saw, see what you can make. It’s not the tools, it’s getting it done and seeing how creative you can be. There are 1,000 ways to do something.” Find out more about Malecki on his site johnmalecki.com.

Instructor Jason Radcliffe

Cleveland’s Jason Radcliffe has been designing and creating furniture since 2005. With influences from the industrial revolution, a clean modern aesthetic and an emphasis on handmade quality pieces, Jason produces original products for his business, 44 STEEL. “I like functional art and things that have a use,” he said.

Jason and Jory met on the set of Spike TV’s 2015 reality show Framework, where they both competed against 11 other furniture designers for the chance to win cash, tools and the opportunity to launch their furniture nationally.  Jason was one of the three finalists on the show, which ultimately chose Jory as the winner.

But no hard feelings – the two now collaborate on Jory’s metal and wood bench classes at his workshop in California. The same bench, in fact, that the “Build It!” sweeps winner will get to create. Jason’s expertise in metalworking will take the intimidation out of the welding portion of the build. View Radcliffe’s designs at 44steel.com.

Other Prizes

In addition to the fabulous Grand Prize, one 2nd Prize — a WoodRiver Ultimate Bench Plane Set valued at $574 — will be awarded. The set includes four heirloom-quality planes: the #3, #4, #5 and #6, useful additions to any builder’s tool arsenal. 

For 3rd Prize, 20 more lucky winners will receive $50 Woodcraft gift cards, which can be used in their local store, online or for a catalog order.

Enter Now

For complete contest rules, to enter online or to find a store near you, click here. Limited to one entry per household. Hurry – the contest ends April 30, 2019!