Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 21/05) - Probably the last thing Wayne Sampson does in his workshop is go against the grain.

The talented Yellowknife craftsman is the creator of an infinite number of unique wood pieces, made to order by his growing list of customers.

Wayne Sampson, owner of Waylin Woodworks, uses his skill to create all things wood. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

"When people want something that they can't find at a big box store or that is a certain size or design, they come to me," Sampson said.

Within the pages of a large album are photographs of numerous items he has made for people over the years.

"I've made bookcases, signs and cabinetry. I do planning, design and construction of home and office furniture," Sampson said while leafing through the album.

"But everything I make is one of a kind, a prototype.

"And it is not only built to their design or needs, but it is built to last," he said.

Sampson plans to retire from the business next spring, but said he has good memories of the hours in his shop.

He recalls one wooden piece of particular significance he made for a very special client.

"It was an oak box I made for the Queen. It was just a display box, but the fact that it was made for the Queen is what people like to hear," he said.

The city had originally commissioned Sampson to make the small glass and wood box, etched with the royal emblem for the royal visit in the 1990s. "The mines were donating some core samples and they wanted to have it in a display case. She's probably got it sitting in her bedroom," he laughed.

Oak, walnut and maple are the three top woods he uses when crafting items, but there are times when it can be a challenge to obtain the wood, which he orders in from the south.

"On one recent project, I spent about five months on the design and another two months just trying to get the materials, because my standards are very high and I couldn't just go to a store and buy the wood," Sampson said.

Despite those challenges, Sampson said crafting items of wood has been a lifelong enjoyment he learned from his father.

"I don't measure my success by how many pieces I do, but by the number of people I meet and my experiences with people and making them happy."