Shaun P. James

Draftsperson · Cabinetmaker

I am a draftsperson and Red Seal cabinetmaker whose path has taken me from art studios in Greece to boatshops in Maine and Norway. Along the way, I have come to believe that making with care shapes more than objects; it shapes relationships, communities, and the places we call home.

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About

My background blends art, design, and traditional handcraft. I studied fine arts in Greece, built wooden boats in Maine, and attended folk school in Norway. When I returned to Canada, I completed my cabinetmaking apprenticeship in Alberta and received the Top Apprentice Award in 2023.Design and making have shaped how I move through the world. Whether drawing, building, or teaching, I try to work with clarity, patience, and care. Each project is a chance to learn something new about materials, about people, and about how ideas take shape.I see design as an ongoing conversation between hand and material, between people and place, between what is and what might be. My hope is that the work I do, however small, helps create spaces and relationships that feel grounded, kind, and alive with possibility.

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Work

My work moves between design, handcraft, and education. I use drawings, materials, and ideas to bring well-made, enduring objects to life. I look for details that feel honest and for ways a piece can age with grace. Teaching builds community and keeps me learning. I aim to work simply and responsibly, with respect for people, materials, and place.