Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
After a successful careers as an Electrical Contractor and an Office Manager, some life changing events forced us to find an alternative line of work. So we decided to buy a little equipment and start working with something we both love. Wood! So begins our adventure as Northfork Knotworks!
Northfork Knotworks is a small Mom and Pop wood shop that specializes in handmade custom wood products. Our shop is located in West Central Wisconsin on the North Fork of the Eau Claire River. This property is a homestead that housed five generations so we are deeply rooted in this area.
All of our items are made with locally harvested trees. Each tree is hand selected environmentally based on age, size and location. With single-tree selection, the forest continuously produces timber and constantly has new seedlings emerging to take the place of harvested trees. Single-tree selection maintains a late succession forest that benefits many wildlife species such as squirrels, deer, rabbits grouse and song birds. In forest management, trees are harvested for a variety of reasons including improving the health of the forest; controlling the types of trees that grow on the site. Every tree that is harvested is used for logs for milling and the remainder is cut for firewood to heat our shop, house and our maple syrup operation. Our family owns approximately 135 acres in three locations that are managed in this manner.
After the tree are harvested, they are taken to a small local mill where they are sawed into boards. The owner personally goes when the wood is being milled to ensure he gets the most creative cuts. Then they are loaded into a kiln and dried until they are ready to be crafted into our many items.
In 2018, we added a laser engraving machine. We are expanding our inventory to include engraved and custom signs, small furniture and outdoor furniture.
What people are saying
- RM
Rebecca McMahon
For Last Name, Date Established Family Plaque4.8Marlys was wonderful to work with. She helped to ensure I was getting exactly what I wanted and the product is beautiful with fantastic quality. Would highly recommend!
- DP
dave paskoski
For Happy Trails!5.0Return customer. Great communication and quality! These are awesome.
- LM
Lisa Mosillo
For Lisa's Sign5.0I can not say enough on how wonderful this experience was with Marlys! She was amazing! She made the sign better than I imagined it to be and worked with me on everything from wood, to the design to the stain. She took my vision and made it amazing! She was very quick to respond and was very kind on the phone. I will definitely use her again for another project and have already recommended her to friends.
TDTeresa DiPietro
For Last Name Established Sign Family Name Signs Wedding Gift Wood Sign 5 Year Anniversary Gift5.0Such a beautiful sign! I would definitely use Northfork Knotworks again! Love the sign! I can't figure out how to post a pic of it!
RNRobin Nelson
For Personalized House Signs (5x15)5.0Exactly how we imagined, perfect? Working with the team was so easy. Will work with again, highly recommend!
- GV
Gary Valen
For 6x20 Custom Hand Painted Made To Order Sign5.0Working with Marlys Van Ert was a great experience. She corresponded with me until she knew exactly what I wanted. While it is a business arrangement she was very cordial and friendly. Most important, her work is superb, much greater than I expected. We will be proud to display the two signs she made for the Indian artifact collected we donated to our county nature center. Marlys is a real artist. I will definitely have more work for her to do and recommend her to friends and business associates.
- MC
Matthew Cost
For 20x14 Custom Multi Board Barn Wood Sign-You Design!5.0 - AR
Alan Ray
For 15x11 Multi-Board Barn Wood Sign5.0Northfork Knotworks was an excellent and easy company to work with during the entire process. The final product looks great! I am very pleased with my experience in dealing with Northfork Knotworks!
- DP
dave paskoski
For dave's Sign5.0These look amazing! Thank you for your timeliness, quality, and value. Will definitely consider you for upcoming projects.
- SD
Sammy Davidson
For Anniversary Sign Family Name Sign Last Name Sign Wood Sign Carved Wood Sign Rustic Decor5.0Northfork Knotworks was tremendous to work with. Timely communication made the process very easy. The final product was even better than expected. Highly recommend this business!
- LJ
Laura Johnson
For 12x24 Rustic Redwood Signs Made To Order5.0My overall experience with Marlyns was fabulous. I could not be more pleased and would definitely use Marlyns again for any project.
- NH
Nathan Hippe
For Nathan's Sign5.0This company is incredible! I highly recommend Northfork Knotworks. They were very responsive to all of my requests and design changes. The quality of the finished project was well above my expectations.
LBLeAnn Bartholomew
For Signs / Signage - Home Or Office5.0Very, very nice people. The piece we ordered was absolutely gorgeous!! It arrived sooner than expected. Awesome experience overall, and we will definitely use Marlys again in the future.
- MK
Maggie Kasparek
For 6x20 Custom Wood Sign | Fully Painted |5.0The project was a success. Norfolk was in contact when there was a question, they were timely and the sign turned out great. Thank you!
- SB
Sheena Bliss
For Sheena's Sign5.0Great experience working with the vendor. Quick to reply, felt the project was priced well, delivery was on time, great communication. I would recommend and work with this vendor again.
- SM
Sherrin Myrick
For Custom Made sign5.0 - DB
Dan Bareket
For Dan's Wooden Sign5.0More than exceeded expectations! This 8ft(!) sign will be a new family heirloom. Seriously impressed! Thank you!!!
- FK
Fairfield Kate
For email fairfield5.0Just fantastic customer service and great quality and a beautiful product. So refreshing to work with. Thank you!!
- GS
Gary Smith
For Gary's Sign5.0A+
- AT
ALISA TAYLOR
For Reclaimed Wood or Live Wood Coat Rack: Rustic Home Decor5.0It has been a pleasure working with Marly at Northfork Knotworks. I had great communication from day 1, I was given different examples to choose from as far as font, wood type, and stain color. Between the two of us communicating back and forth I received exactly what I wanted. I would defiantly recommend this company. Thanks again Marly you're great!
- CT
Chris Teem
For Last Name Established Sign Family Name Signs Wedding Gift Wood Sign 5 Year Anniversary Gift5.0I couldn't be more happy with the product I received. They made it very easy to communicate with them and kept me informed all along the way. There is true talent and craftsmanship in their work and I will always go back whenever I need anything else like this. Thank you so much for everything!
- SP
steve poplawski
For Handmade Wood Carved Cherokee Prayer Native American Wall Hanging5.0i was very happy with the finished product. the artist was very easy to work with and great at communication. my project was very well made and in a timely manner. i'll definitely be using them again for any future projects.
- KD
Kathy Denny
For Kathy's Sign5.0The sign looks awesome. It will be a wonderful gift.
- ST
SHARON THOMAS
For Cedar Name Signs5.0I just received my custom made sign yesterday . It is everything we discussed and more. A perfect Christmas surprise for my husband, which is not easy. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas. Sharon
- RL
ron luniewski
For ron's Sign4.8Excellent craftsmanship, communications and length of time - there is no doubt that I will use the folks again. It is shame that I did not take a photo of the package the sign was in; like the sign it was clearly built someone who cares and has pride in craft.
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