About Us

Every Grain Tells a Story

Our philosophy is that the items we use in our daily lives have a history and a story. We honor those stories by crafting pieces that showcase the natural beauty of wood to bring joy to your home for years to come.

About Deborah Biggs

Deborah Biggs is the Principal Artisan & Founder/CEO of It Once Was a Tree. She has always believed in the power of God-inspired creativity to make a difference in people’s lives.

In 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, Deborah felt a strong desire to help others in any way she could. She noticed that many creative and compassionate people were sewing masks to help out.  She responded to the nationwide shortage of desks by crafting her first wooden pieces. From there, her passion for woodworking grew, leading to the creation of her business.

Appreciating the beauty of wood

Wood is Deborah’s chosen medium, and for good reason. She loves the natural character of wood grain—the unique textures, aromas and colors in every piece. To her, wood is more than just a material. She sees it as a God-made canvas, each with its own story.

Whether it’s a home decor item she crafts from birch or pine or a custom table carved from rich, exotic woods such as ebony, walnut, or cedar with rich marbling, Deborah treats each project as a one-of-a-kind creation.

No two items are alike

We’re committed to creating memorable, meaningful, and completely unique pieces. Customization is at the heart of our business, so if you have a particular theme in mind, we will work with you to bring your vision to life. We even offer group customizations for personalized gifts or special events.

More than decor

For us, it’s not just about making beautiful home decor or furniture; it’s about creating items with meaning. Knowing that a decorative wall hanging featuring an encouraging scripture might lift someone’s spirits during a difficult time is our ‘why’.

What once was a tree becomes something brand new—ready to bring warmth, comfort, and a personal touch to your home.