After twenty-something years of building houses, Shep Jones decided it was time to do something different. Having a father who was a builder and carpenter, he has always had a fascination with making things out of wood. He started leaving his dad’s tools out in the rain at the tender age of four and now at the age of fifty-four he only occasionally leaves one out in the weather.

This fascination of things made of wood has gradually transitioned from large structural dwellings requiring scores of people to assemble to working quietly by himself in the workshop making small instruments that he hopes others will regard as functional works of art for the eyes and ears. With the help of his wife, Darci, who is an accomplished player and teacher of the violin/fiddle, no instrument leaves the shop without played approval by her.

So, young to the trade (but not so young), self taught (no prestigious violin making school credentials here), what began as a hobby is now his greatest passion.