Today we’d like to introduce you to Abdala Sami.
Hi Abdala, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
About ten years ago, my woodworking journey started pretty unexpectedly. I wanted a set of surfboard fins, but they were too expensive at the time, so I decided to make my own out of wood. That small decision opened the door to an entirely new creative world for me.
From there, I started carving spoons and smaller pieces for camping and backpacking, slowly building my skills and appreciation for the craft using traditional carving tools. Eventually, I joined a local makerspace in Ventura called Make Ventura, where the manager took the time to teach me how to use the larger, more dangerous machines like table saws, band saws, and planers safely and effectively. That guidance really shaped how I approach my work today.
Over time, I began taking on more complex projects and developing my own design style, all while continuing my career as an aerospace engineer. Woodworking became my outlet, a way to balance the structure and precision of engineering with something tactile, creative, and deeply personal.
Today, through Barebone Designs (barebonedesigns.com), I see this craft as both my passion and my long-term path forward. My focus now is on building custom, meaningful, and sustainably made pieces that carry intention, patience, and respect for the process.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I think that’s what makes it meaningful. In the beginning, woodworking was a lot of trial and error. I didn’t have formal training, so I learned through mistakes, YouTube videos, and a lot of patience. Breaking expensive tools, miscutting wood, or spending hours sanding the wrong way. those moments were frustrating, but they taught me persistence and attention to detail.
Balancing my full-time career as an aerospace engineer with this passion has also been challenging. Finding time, energy, and mental space after long workdays wasn’t easy, but woodworking became a kind of therapy something that grounded me. There were days where I would spend a full 48 hours working on a project on a Friday after work, and the pieces that came out of that made me feel proud of what I could do.
There were also the practical hurdles: investing in quality tools, finding workspace access, and later, developing a brand that reflects sustainability and craftsmanship. Each step has been a learning curve, but one that’s helped me evolve both creatively and personally.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Through Barebone Designs, I create handcrafted furniture and custom wood pieces that merge clean design with functional artistry. I’m detail-oriented, methodical, and obsessed with precision. Every angle, joint, and grain pattern is intentional.
What started as a simple hobby has evolved into a pursuit of craftsmanship that emphasizes sustainability and longevity. I focus on using responsibly sourced hardwoods and natural finishes that highlight the character of the material rather than masking it. My goal is to make each piece feel both refined and honest, something that can live beautifully in someone’s home for decades.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see woodworking as just a way to make money. It’s a dialogue between material, design, and purpose. Every piece I make carries a story, not just of the wood itself, but of the hands and intent behind it.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised to learn that I spend my days designing complex aerospace systems like Synthetic Aperture Radars and flight hardware, and my nights shaping wood by hand. On the surface, those worlds couldn’t be more different, but they actually complement each other perfectly. Engineering trained me to think in terms of precision, systems, and tolerances; woodworking reminds me to slow down, trust intuition, and let the material guide the process.
I’ll sometimes sketch a design in CAD to calculate proportions, then hand-carve the final piece purely by feel. That blend of structure and spontaneity is what defines Barebone Designs. It’s where logic meets artistry, and where I find balance between the technical and the tactile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barebonedesigns.com/
- Instagram: barebone_designs
Image Credits
Blake Peters @rebelhouse.films
