"There is nothing made, sold, or done that can't be made, sold, or done cheaper. If price is your only concern, please do business with my competitor.”

I’m Pavel, his nibs of Nib’s Workbench. If you only get one takeaway from this story, it’s the first quote. I like to build things that last; it’s an undeniable part of my nature. The commissions I take will always be to the highest standard of quality, and if there's someone who can make it better, I'll be the first to endorse them!

From clumsy teenage hobbyist to professional craftsman, I’ve always preferred working with my hands. Originally this outlet was in metalwork, learning how to forge knives and swords in high school, but in college, being bereft of both forges and swords, it only took the first semester without creativity to begin tinkering with sewing machines and patterns. This led to theater costuming, crude leatherwork, and the occasional discreet tailoring job for classmates.

Upon graduation, I worked at a leather shop in my hometown, gaining a lasting appreciation of the medium. This was the springboard to become an aviation craftsman, moving from my childhood home in Arizona to the east coast and learning the industrial skills to outfit multimillion-dollar private jets, including my first forays into professional upholstery.

When the pandemic hit and the private jet industry slumped (hard to believe, I know), I moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains and became a contractor, designing and building survival equipment and accessories for the military, sporting enthusiasts, outdoorsmen, and first responders. The experience sharpened my skills in creating functional yet reliable gear, blending the elements of design and craftsmanship to ensure the highest quality standards. This was particularly fulfilling, given that I had both creative freedom and the years’ worth of technical knowledge to realize client projects. The mountain air didn’t hurt, either.

Throughout this time, I was applying the lessons shared by generous mentors and colleagues to hone my personal hobby: replica costumery. Having been a lifelong fan of Tolkien’s Lengendarium and the Peter Jackson trilogy, there were particularly satisfying milestones when the first Faramir and Aragorn replicas were finally finished on my workbench.

I now live in Louisiana, building a home with my wife (the only reason I could have willingly forsaken the mountain air) and embracing the life of a full-time maker. Blending the experiences of each part of my past, I now offer quality upholstery and home decor, bespoke leather goods, and an ever-growing selection of costumes inspired by the silver screen and beyond.

Inquiring about a project? Rest assured, your questions will be answered sincerely.

Commissioning a project? Rest assured, each item will be meticulously crafted.


“May Eru bless my work and amend it!”