Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Barnett.
Hi Luke, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I didn’t take a traditional path. I grew up in difficult circumstances, dropped out of high school, and spent my early life trying to find direction. Woodworking changed that. With encouragement from my grandmother, I discovered traditional chairmaking and became completely immersed in the craft. What started as a personal passion grew into a career as a professional furniture maker, educator, and eventually the co-founder and president of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. Today, I have the privilege of helping others discover the same opportunities that woodworking created for me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Like many people in the trades, I’ve faced challenges and plenty of setbacks. Building a woodworking career from scratch is difficult, and starting a school was even harder. There were times when resources were limited and the future was uncertain. What carried me through was a belief in the value of skilled trades education and the support of mentors, friends, and students along the way. Looking back, those challenges taught me resilience and helped shape the mission of SBWI.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m best known as a traditional Windsor chairmaker, but my work today is focused on education. While I’m proud of the awards and recognition I’ve received as a craftsman, I’m most proud of helping build SBWI into a nationally recognized trade school. What sets us apart is our commitment to combining fine craftsmanship with real career opportunities. Seeing students gain confidence, develop skills, and launch meaningful careers is far more rewarding than any chair I’ve ever built.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Nothing has ever replaced face-to-face connection. Early on, I couldn’t afford to travel and take classes from the craftspeople I admired, so I picked up the phone. I was watching Roy Underhill on PBS one day and called him with a woodworking question. Roy laughed and said, “Luke, I’m a TV woodworker, not a real woodworker,” but then he gave me the phone number for Windsor chairmaker Curtis Buchanan.
I started calling Curtis regularly, and despite being a complete stranger, he was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. That experience taught me that most skilled craftspeople are willing to help if you’re genuinely interested in learning.
Today, I encourage people to visit schools, tour workshops, attend conferences, join woodworking groups, and introduce themselves. Whether it’s traveling to meet woodworkers, attending an industry event, or walking through our campus doors, real relationships are built in person. There simply isn’t a substitute for showing up.
Pricing:
- Week-long Intensive Classes: $1,200-$1,400
- Weekend Classes: $85-$325
- Year-Long Trade School Program: $16,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sbwi.edu
- Instagram: sambeaufordwoodworkinginst
- Facebook: SamBeaufordWoodshop
- Youtube: @sambeaufordwoodshop
