Thanksgiving Weekend
November 28 – 30, 2025
Studio Open House at Bradford Woodworking
For more than 30 years, Brad Smith and Royce Yoder have brought together a variety of artists and craftspeople for a fun-filled weekend of art and craft. Held each year over Thanksgiving weekend, the Studio Open House has become a tradition among families and friends alike. This year Brad and Royce have invited Kate and Ben Gatski in addition to William Bourne to join them at the Studio Open House.
The 2025 Studio Open House promises to be truly extraordinary. We are honored to welcome back William Bourne, who graced us as a special guest in 1996 and will be joining us once again as he celebrates his remarkable 100th year—a milestone that inspires us all.
This year’s celebration takes on deeper meaning as we honor not only William Bourne’s incredible legacy but also the resilience and determination of Bradford Woodworking. Many of you know about the challenges that struck in January 2025, when Brad’s main production barn—lovingly built by Brad alongside a dedicated team of workers, friends, and helpers in 2004—was devastated by fire and suffered near-total loss.
Yet from this setback emerges a powerful story of renewal. With unwavering faith and careful consideration, Brad has chosen to rebuild and continue crafting his one-of-a-kind furniture. His decision to press forward embodies the spirit of creativity, perseverance, and community that makes our craft so meaningful.
Join us as we celebrate both the wisdom of a century well-lived and the courage to begin anew.
Brad Smith
Furniture
Furniture makers frequently ride the coattails of easily recognized styles such as Shaker, Country or Arts and Crafts. In my work, I intentionally try not to be pigeonholed into an existing furniture design category. What I try to do is make furniture that has not been seen before, but still retains some familiarity. That familiarity is gained through the use of good proportions, honest construction, and old-fashioned usefulness. My basic concept is to use “off the shelf” parts in ways that were never intended—as elements in the furniture. Because the shop is located on a farm, I decided to develop that as a “theme,” which is why the parts are farm-related. The idea is to make something special out of something ordinary. Ax handles seemed to be the perfect chair leg with their gentle S-curve and knobby foot. Pitchforks make ideal supports for chair backs and they even have some spring when you lean back. Disc blades, used on farm equipment, are equally good as bases for my coatrees, lamps, and music stands. These “parts” have become significant elements in my design vocabulary and give the furniture its distinctive Bradford “look.”
– Brad Smith
Royce Yoder
Stoneware Pottery
I enjoy making pots! I have a BA/Art from Goshen College, Goshen, IN, 1976. Started making pots for a living in 1978 and have been in my current studio since 1982. I love the rhythm, flow, and pace of working by myself. Each day has new problems to solve and work is never dull.
There is a certain satisfaction of seeing completed pieces at the end of a day, week, month, and year. The challenge is staying fresh and not allowing the work to become routine. I am always looking to “smarten up” my work by tweaking the details of form, color and purpose. It has been a rich and rewarding career.
– Royce Yoder
Kate and Ben Gatski
Metal Art and Sculpture
Ben and Kate Gatski are self-taught artists who love using simple tools to make handmade, authentic pieces of art. They live and work on a hilltop in rural Pennsylvania. There, they handcraft sculpture and furniture with reclaimed materials (weathered steel and barn wood) and raise their three children. They established Gatski Metal in 2003.
Their home and shop sit at the top of a hill, overlooking forest and fields. They often find themselves creating pieces based on what they see (or can imagine) before them. Their raw material comes from scrap yards and other assorted junk piles.
Ben is a welder and artist, and Kate is a designer and entrepreneur. They believe in bringing their customers pieces that make them happy and that they can enjoy forever. And they delight in collaborating with customers to create pieces that fit perfectly into their homes.
www.gatskimetal.com
William Bourne
A Century of Creativity
Thanksgiving Weekend
November 28 – 30, 2025
Hours
November 28, 10am – 5pm
November 29, 10am – 5pm
November 30, Noon – 5pm
Location
Bradford Woodworking
3120 Fisher Road
Lansdale PA 19490