Behind the Boards
Tinja’s Workshop is a small family-owned woodworking business based in Salem, where we transform premium hardwoods into functional works of art. What began as a passion for woodworking has grown into a full-time business dedicated to crafting heirloom-quality cutting boards and unique hardwood pieces designed to be used and enjoyed for generations.
Our signature end-grain cutting boards are where craftsmanship meets precision. Every board starts as rough hardwood lumber that is milled, cut, and carefully selected for its natural color and grain. Through a series of intricate glue-ups, crosscuts, rotations, and laminations, dozens of individual pieces come together to create the bold geometric and 3D optical illusion patterns that have become our signature.
Once assembled, each board is flattened, machined to its final thickness, hand-sanded to a silky-smooth finish, and treated with our own food-safe blend of mineral oil and beeswax. Every step is completed in our Salem workshop, and because every piece of wood is unique, no two boards are ever exactly alike.
While we're best known for our cutting boards, we also create custom furniture, home décor, and laser-engraved hardwood products, bringing the same attention to detail and commitment to quality to everything we make.
As a family business, we believe everyday objects should be both beautiful and functional. Whether you meet us at an art festival somewhere in the Pacific Northwest or discover us online, our goal is to create handcrafted pieces that spark conversation, inspire creativity, and become lasting favorites in your home.
Thank you for supporting handmade craftsmanship, small business, and the art of woodworking. We look forward to creating something you'll love for years to come.
Meet Tinja
The Story Behind the Name
We often get asked, “What does Tinja mean?”
Well… it’s actually the name of our first dog.
Years ago, Jessica was hanging out with a friend talking about the Ninja Turtles when she accidentally said “Tinja Nurtles.” It quickly became an inside joke between them. A few weeks later, Jessica found a puppy on the side of the road on her way home. Being young, silly, and apparently committed to the joke, she named him Tinja Nurtles—Tinja for short.
A few years later, Jessica met and married Reuben, we bought a house, and Reuben discovered a love for woodworking. Tinja quickly became a permanent fixture in the workshop. He wasn't bothered by the noise of saws, sanders, or anything else going on in the shop. He simply loved being there with Reuben, keeping him company while he worked.
Tinja wasn't just our first dog; he was part of our family and a part of our everyday life. When we eventually lost him to cancer, the loss was incredibly difficult. Not long afterward, we started a small woodworking business, and naming it Tinja's Workshop felt like a natural way to honor him and keep his memory with us.
What started as a little side business eventually grew into our full-time family business. Every time we see the name, we're reminded of the goofy dog who started it all—and the years, memories, and adventures that came along with him.
So there you have it: our business is named after a dog, who was named after a joke, that started with a very unfortunate pronunciation of Ninja Turtles.
It's a little ridiculous, a little sentimental, and somehow, it fits us perfectly.