Ray Christoff, born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. Graduate of Youngstown State University with degrees in theology and philosophy. As an adolescent he found an interest in the various belief systems of the world both past and present. In his senior year at YSU Ray backpacked India, solo for three months studying their culture first hand. While there he met the Dalai Lama and visited his home in Dharamsala. He also visited Pakistan, Nepal and made efforts to enter Tibet but was stopped at the Tibetan boarder due to the Chinese restrictions. Since then Ray has traveled to a number of other foreign countries. Something to do with his Gypsy ancestry, he claims.

Ironically, about a thousand years ago the origin of the now gypsy culture originated in India, migrated up through Egypt acquiring the “gyp” from Egypt, thus becoming gypsy’s. The movement further migrated from Eastern Europe to the United States. The early gypsy immigrants were noted for rustic furniture making, among other things.

A little more than ten years ago Ray had plans to return to India to live out his years studying ancient language and eastern philosophy but ended up settling down and developing an interest in designing and building rustic furniture. He strives to assimilate the workmanship, uniqueness and quality of his forefathers, since earning the reputation as a master builder. Ray finds his creative passion in working on one of a kind pieces and special orders. He looks for a special intrinsic value in each of his works. He states “the kind of intrinsic value that when you walk into a room on a cold winter’s morning; you can stand in front of one of my creations and feel an inner warmth and comfort from it”.