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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Work’s work dovetails with his love for furniture
By CHRISTINA HILL
Correspondent
Gerald Work, owner of
The DoveTail Joint in
Kerby, may be fairly new to
said that he went from being
founder and CEO of a cou-
ple of moderately large
computer software compa-
nies to designing and build-
son, but the mechanical
strength is always in the
joint,” Work said.
“Wood naturally ex-
pands and contracts all
Gerald Work (left) pon-
ders one of his projects,
which include exquisite
high-end gongs. (Photos
by Christina Hill)
the valley, but he’s no
stranger to fine furniture.
Since his mid-20s,
Work, 64, has hand-crafted
fine furniture as a
“counterpoint to the work”
he was doing.
“I've learned from a
gazillion mistakes,” he said.
“I’ve basically done it (built
fine furniture) all my life.
The first half of my career I
was in technology manage-
ment, and since I worked
with my head all the time, I
had to work with my hands
to maintain my sanity,”
Work said with a laugh.
Undoubtedly, Work’s
life has done a ‘180.’ He
The pyramids in Egypt
contain enough stone and
mortar to construct a wall 10
feet high and 5 feet wide run-
ning from New York City to
Los Angeles.
* * *
Newly elected John F.
Kennedy gave each of his
aides a PT-109 tie clasp,
which became the highest
status symbol of the New
Frontier. Cufflinks and tie
clasps are usually chosen as
gifts by gubernatorial winners
because of their high visibil-
ity.
* * *
In Australia, the No. 1
topping for pizza is eggs. In
Chile, it’s mussels and clams.
In the United States, it’s pep-
peroni.
* * *
Before she became a film
actress, Sharon Stone was
one of the top 10 models at
the famous Ford Agency be-
ing fine furniture as a full-
time hobby and job.
He moved to the valley
in March 2002, with Sharon,
his wife of 45 years, after
they finally found what they
were looking for.
“I took early retirement,
and for four years my wife
and I traveled the United
States,” said Work, “looking
for a funky, old building to
restore and build fine furni-
ture in. We found this build-
ing and it was perfect.
“It was built in 1907
and was the Masonic Tem-
ple for a number of years.
This location was also the
first plat of land in Jose-
phine County, so there’s a
lot of history behind this
building,” Work said.
The renovation gave
birth to The DoveTail Joint,
named quite simply after the
joint that Work uses to hold
his pieces together.
“All this furniture is
mechanically locked to-
gether by dove-tail joints,”
he said. “I don’t use any
mechanical screws or fas-
teners. I’ll occasionally use
glue to help keep pieces in
place if there’s a good rea-
throughout its life even after
200 or 300 years,” he said.
“Since it’s going to move,
unless you design to accom-
modate that, after a couple
of months or years, it’s go-
ing to start cracking.”
According to Work, the
precise measurements of his
work, combined with dove-
tail joints, allow for the
natural expansion of wood,
therefore resisting cracking.
“If it’s designed prop-
erly, it’s going to last for
many years,” he said. “I tell
my customers that if it’s fine
furniture, it’s going to be
enjoyed by their grandchil-
dren’s grandchildren’s
grandchildren.”
“And,” he added, “No
two pieces are alike. I don’t
use veneers for anything.
Everything is solid wood.
Every piece is custom de-
signed. I use a variety of
exotic woods that are sus-
tainably harvested from
plantation-grown trees.”
Work’s style ranges
from funky to classical, he
said. From dining room sets
to free-standing bathroom
vanities, desks, clocks and
more, Work produces a
wide range of durable
pieces, all of which serve
“functionality and as eye
candy.”
“I’m currently working
on a line of stands for high-
end gongs,” he said. “I don’t
have all the distribution de-
tails arrangements worked
out yet, but it would be for
the world’s largest manufac-
turer and distributor of sym-
phonic gongs. It’s a Swiss
company,” Work said.
The stands are made
using a wide assortment of
wood including Australian
silky oak and Oregon big
leaf maple. They are
trimmed with walnut and
adorned with leather.
“Gongs have a centu-
ries-old tradition throughout
the world which many peo-
ple describe as healing prop-
erties,” said Work. “If this
project goes through, I’ll be
manufacturing a wide vari-
ety of high-end gong
stands.”
Between gong stands
and supplying the demand
for his other pieces, Work is
constantly busy.
“It’s full-time fun,” he
said. “I believe that you do
what you enjoy and the
money will follow.
“A surprising amount of
business is here locally and
within 600 miles north and
south,” he added.
When Work isn’t busy
designing and building new
pieces, he can be found
helping others.
“Everywhere we’ve
ever lived, we’ve been ex-
tremely active in the eco-
nomic development of the
area,” he said. “We spend a
lot of time and energy vol-
unteering to try to improve
the standard of living in this
area.
“Here, both of us serve
on the board of directors for
the Illinois Valley Commu-
nity Development Organiza-
tion. I chair the Social Ven-
tures Committee, which
manages the concessions
that we run at the Oregon
Caves,” Work said.
In addition, Work
founded the Southern Ore-
gon Guild: 70 members
strong and growing.
“That’s another eco-
nomic development founded
to help professional artists
and artisans help themselves
to become more commer-
cially successful,” he said.
“Again, creating living-
wage jobs. It’s not a hand-
out, it’s a hand-up,” Work
concluded.
For more information,
on The DoveTail Joint, visit
southernoregonguild.org or
phone 592-5360.
Cars & Taxes:
The 2005 rules of the road.
Do higher operating costs for your auto have you fuming? If
so, whether you use your car for business or personal use,
make sure to take advantage of the available tax deductions.
For a happier ride, here’s a brief overview of the basic tax
rules for 2005.
Business provisions:
Standard mileage allowance. The standard mileage deduction
for business use of a vehicle increases this year from 37.5¢ to
40.5¢ a mile. Higher fuel prices are behind the rate boost.
Actual cost method. The actual cost method requires more
recordkeeping to track expenses for gas, insurance, repairs,
depreciation, etc., but it may generate a higher deduction. (Tip:
Once you use the actual cost method, you cannot use the stan-
dard mileage allowance for as long as you use that vehicle.)
Expense and depreciation deductions. The rules are less favor-
able for business vehicles purchased in 2005. Cars have a com-
bined first-year deduction limit of about $3,000, while SUVs
still qualify for a $25,000 first-year expensing deduction.
Personal provisions:
Personal use mileage rates. Rates for 2005 are 15¢ per mile if
you use your auto for medical reasons or for mileage related to
a qualified moving deduction. For auto use as a volunteer for a
charity, the rate is 14¢ per mile.
Donating your car. If you donate your auto to charity, you can
enjoy a deduction for the amount for which the charity sells
your vehicle.
Hybrid gas/electric car. In 2005, a $2,000 deduction is
available if you buy a new hybrid vehicle.
Sales tax deduction. If you buy a car in 2005, you can deduct
the related state sales tax as an itemized deduction if you
choose to deduct sales taxes paid instead of state and local
income taxes paid.
For details or tax assistance, give us a call.
Karen M. Bodeving, CPA PC
1624 S. E. N St.
Grants Pass OR 97526
Phone: 479-3625
Grants Pass Office hours:
9 to 3 Mon. - Fri.
Other hours by appointment
Interested in a shared use commercial kitchen?
We need to hear from you!
Please contact the IVCDO and ask for the ‘Commercial Kitchen
Needs Survey.’ We need your input to successfully plan and develop
the facility and services you require.
IVCDO, P.O. Box 1824, Cave Junction OR 97523
592-4440
Dwelling
Separate Structures
Personal Property
Loss of Use
Personal Liability
Guest Medical
Building Ordinance
Contents Replacement
Extended Replacement
Deductible
Premium Summary plus Fees
Monthly Premium
Limits
$150,000
15,000
112,000
75,000
500,000
5,000
10
Covered
Covered
All Perils
Premiums
$347.84
Included
Included
Included
10.00
12.00
Included
Included
Included
$1,000
$394.84
31.02
Rates quoted are for the City of Cave Junction and will vary based on age, other lines of insur-
ance, credit and value. The company reserves the right to accept, reject or modify this proposal
after investigation, review of any application and review of all other underwriting information.
The Kerby Transfer Station
is open to help you...
Hours: Mondays -
Saturdays
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information
phone (800) 922-1025
128 S. Redwood Hwy.,
Cave Junction
592-4541 or 476-4421