Our Story

Handcrafted Coasters is a custom product designed and built by woodworking and running duo, Joe and Kari VandeMerwe.  From his Dutch roots, Joe learned to work hard and his love of building from his father, who immigrated to the United States from Holland in the 1940's.  As a mother of four boys, Kari began running more than 20 years ago, and has competed in more than a hundred races and triathlons.  She still wakes up at 4:30 a.m. several times a week to hit the pavement with her friends and family.  They live in rural northern Utah.