The O'Connor Woodworking Story
Thanks for visiting O'Connor Woodworking!
My name is Jeff O’Connor and I am a retired U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Master Chief and a former Chicago Law Enforcement Officer.
In 2018, after multiple combat deployments, I was diagnosed with multiple Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Chronic PTSD during a 4 week stay at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). In a desperate search to find a means of peace in my life, I applied and was accepted into the Purple Heart Project. The PHP is a 5 day hand tool woodworking course for Combat Wounded Veterans taught by world renowned woodworker, Rob Cosman. Although I had been a woodworker for 25 years, this weeklong course showed me a new method of woodworking as a distractive therapy for my PTSD and changed my life forever. After this inspiring course, I launched O'Connor Woodworking!
I currently reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia with my custom sewist wife, Kim, the owner of Snippets and Stitches. Together, we create custom work in wood and fabric for clients around the world.
We are also the Founders of the Guild of Veteran Craftsmen and the Yellow Ribbon Connection. Both of these projects are just launching this year and will assist the Veteran community and their families.
A portion of proceeds from every project are donated to various veteran organizations such as the Navy Special Operations Foundation and the Purple Heart Project.
Design. Form. Function.
Fusing the old world style of hand tool woodworking and modern design techniques to create heirloom quality, beautifully crafted, functional works of art.