Master furniture maker Richard Oedel shares his talent at Makers Mill

WOLFEBORO — Think of the most talented person you’ve met lately. Now add a generous measure of kindness, curiosity, and a quiet sense of humor. That begins to capture what it’s like to meet Richard Oedel.

A world-renowned furniture maker, Oedel didn’t begin his career in a woodshop. Originally from Massachusetts, he trained as an engineer and spent years working in mechanical engineering and controls before running his own plastics business for two decades. In the 1980s, he and his wife, Marie, bought a second home in Wolfeboro. Then in his 40s, he made a deliberate shift, one that would define the rest of his life.

“I wanted to make something with high intrinsic value,” Oedel said, “rather than something disposable.”

That decision led him back to school, into apprenticeships with skilled woodworkers, and eventually into the world of one-of-a-kind, museum-quality furniture. Today, he creates bespoke pieces for clients around the globe, each one blending craftsmanship, history, and artistry.

Oedel’s connection to Makers Mill began long before its doors opened. Nearly 20 years ago, he crossed paths with Makers Mill Executive Director Josh Arnold during a solar panel installation at his home. A friendship took root and, years later, when Arnold began envisioning Makers Mill, Oedel became a natural sounding board.

When Arnold acquired the building that would become Makers Mill, Oedel helped design the woodworking shop. By the time he and his wife moved to Wolfeboro full-time, the Mill had become more than a concept, it was a resource he genuinely needed. Downsizing from a 5,000-square-foot professional shop to a modest garage workspace meant leaving behind essential equipment.

“I had a lathe with an eight-foot bed,” Oedel explains. “That’s just not going to work up here.”

So he joined Makers Mill and, when the available lathe proved too small for his needs, Oedel found a solution. Through his connections with the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers, where he serves on the board, he helped locate a larger lathe and the Guild contributed funds to bring it to the Mill.

“I tend to go to the wood shop at the Mill when it’s quiet,” Oedel said. “But it’s always nice to see and talk to people. Though I learn a lot talking to myself, too.”

At Makers Mill, Oedel isn’t just a member, he’s a resource. When a family donated a collection of antique molding planes, tools once essential for shaping decorative woodwork, he immediately recognized both their historical value and their potential to inspire others. He organized a talk at the Mill explaining how the tools were used, demonstrating sharpening techniques, and exploring what could be created with them.

The event drew about 40 people. By the end of the session, roughly half the planes had been sold, with proceeds benefiting Makers Mill. Oedel has continued selling the remaining pieces online, quietly funneling additional funds back into the organization.

He recently rediscovered a piece of that very material in his own collection, an old tabletop dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century. Originally overlooked, it revealed its true character only when he began working with it.

“I hadn’t seen mahogany this good in 20 years,” Oedel said.

That rediscovered wood is now part of a finely crafted table that will be auctioned at an upcoming Currier Museum gala. And while his work is undeniably beautiful, Richard doesn’t cling to it.

“It’s easy to let it go,” Oedel said. “You want to buy a piece of furniture? I’ll create one for you. I can always make another.”

At Makers Mill, Oedel represents something larger: the power of experience shared generously. His knowledge, his willingness to teach, and his quiet contributions have become invaluable to the organization.

In many ways, Oedel's journey from engineer to master craftsman to community mentor mirrors the spirit of Makers Mill itself: a place where ideas are shaped, skills are passed on, and unexpected connections lead to something remarkable.

To learn more about Makers Mill and volunteer opportunities, contact Executive Director Josh Arnold at josh@makersmill.org or call the office at 603-569-1500.