ABOUT US

Hey Everyone.  My name’s Rick Heatley and I’m the creator of Branch Butchers.   I started my making journey at an early age when I was introduced to shop class in high school.  I was drawn to woodworking like a moth to a flame.  It became my favourite class and I looked forward to learning as much as I could about the tools and materials.  Making all those fantastic projects was so rewarding. I knew I had to learn as much as I could about this wonderful and, at the time, mysterious craft.  

After I graduated I looked for employment with a business that would help me continue the learning I was so desperately seeking.  I first took employment with a company making simple items for a local home furnishings store.  I followed that up with a company that was making commercial fittings for offices.  This is where I got my first taste of plywood cabinets and laminate.  “There must be more, I thought to myself” at least I’d hoped so.

I started searching for something that was much more involved, something that I could really sink my teeth into.  I finally found a fine furniture program at a trades college not too far away.  I packed what little I had and made the move to Victoria, BC.  I had high hopes and the course did not disappoint.  During those 10 months I learned more than I could have ever imagined and left with a strong desire to put these newly learned skills to use.  

Within a fairly short time I’d found employment at a furniture company established by a Danish father son team.  I spent the next 5 years making hundreds of pieces of furniture, working on techniques and efficiency, slowly refining my craft.  That company eventually started shifting in to producing custom kitchens.  It was a good learning experience and taught me a lot about cabinet making.  It also taught me that my true love was making furniture.  It was then that I decided to leave and have a go at starting my own furniture shop.

Over the next 20 years I made everything one could imagine and even some things I’d never imagined.  Along the way I keep my love of learning alive.  I tried new techniques, new materials, new tools, and varying ways of manufacturing my creations.   Lots of things changed over that time and the paper and pencil slowly gave way to simple computer drafting.  Then 3d modeling, which then lead to CNC routers, Laser engraving and cutting, and even 3d printing.  I don’t have any qualms about using every tool available to get my ideas out of my head and into the world.  I believe this comes from a mix of curiosity about technology and the desire to be efficient.