Get to know Sally
Welcome—I’m Sally. I often get called Noelle.
Noelle is actually my middle name, and I love it so it's ok. I get called Shelly a lot too... I digress.
Noelle James Home began with a love of beautiful wood, meaningful details, and the belief that the things we bring into our homes should feel personal. Since I have the 1970's 'How hard can it be?' gene. I figured I could do this! I am; you're reading this!
From my workshop in Three Hills, Alberta, I create handcrafted furniture, serving pieces, gifts, and home décor that are meant to be noticed, used, shared, and treasured. You’ll often find me experimenting with an interesting piece of wood, working through a new idea, or imagining how a customer’s story can become part of the finished design.
No two pieces of wood are exactly alike—and I don’t believe the things in your home should feel ordinary either.
How Noelle James Home Began
I've had my own toolbox since I was 5 years old. I was taught that just because I am a girl doesn't mean I need to miss out on working with tools. I have done roofing, laid weeping tile, tied way too much rebar and poured concrete, rebuilt exterior walls, installed windows and cabinetry, renovated a home and learned so much along the way.
I was craving creativity. I opened Noelle James Home Inc. in April 2025 as a proudly Alberta (and Yukoner), woman-owned business and a place where I could turn creativity into something tanglible.
What began as a creative pursuit has grown into a full-time commitment to making pieces with soul, purpose, and personality. Building this business has involved plenty of learning, problem-solving, sawdust, exciting discoveries, and moments of wondering, “What could I make from this?” and of course, tears, buckets of them.
I share much of that journey on Facebook and Instagram, because I want you to see more than a polished finished product. I want you to see the hands (and injuries), materials, decisions, experiments and failures, and care behind it.
When you purchase from Noelle James Home, you are not ordering something pulled from a warehouse shelf. You are supporting a small Alberta business—and receiving something made by a real person who genuinely cares about what arrives in your home.
Made to Be Part of Your Story
Some pieces, the ones I make for markets or between custom orders, begin with beautiful wood that has likely whispered to me in the store, begging me to take it home! Most begin with a customer’s idea, a family name, a business logo, a meaningful place, or a special occasion.
I work with distinctive woods such as zebra wood, tiger wood, olive, walnut and spalted maple just to name a few sometimes pairing their natural character with colourful epoxy, engraving, or custom inlays. Rather than covering the knots, grain, spalting, and natural variations, I often let those details guide the design. They are what give each piece its personality.
My work includes:
- Custom furniture and statement tables (what I thought would take off)
- Charcuterie, serving, and cutting boards
- Personalized gifts and keepsakes (what has been most popular)
- Decorative trays, coasters, and home accents
- Laser-engraved and inlaid designs
- Branded pieces and corporate gifts (these are popular too!)
- One-of-a-kind commissions (sums up all of the above... LOL)
Whether it is an everyday serving board or a statement piece of furniture, I approach it with the same intention: it should be beautiful, well made, and meaningful to the person receiving it.
If you are struggling with design choices for a gift, I ask questions about the receiver and the story behind the gift to help guide the process. Plus it allows me to focus on them while I am creating the piece.
Why Handmade Matters
Handmade pieces carry something mass-produced products cannot: a human story.
They bear the character of the material, the marks of thoughtful craftsmanship, and the choices made specifically for that design. That means natural variations are not flaws—they are part of what makes your piece entirely your own.
I want you to feel proud when you place one of my creations in your home, give it as a gift, or use it to represent your business. I have as much, or more, to lose than you do. If you aren't happy, you'll tell your friends and family quicker than a grass fire spreads on a windy day! More than anything, I want it to become part of the moments that happen around it: meals shared, milestones celebrated, stories told, and people welcomed.
Creating With You, Not Just for You
Custom work is one of my favourite parts of Noelle James Home. You do not need to arrive with a perfectly developed design. You can bring me a rough idea, an inspiration photo, a colour, a name, a story—or simply tell me about the person or space you are shopping for.
I’ll help you explore the possibilities and create something that feels right for you.
Throughout the process, communication matters to me. I want you to feel heard, confident, and excited about what we are creating together. Your trust is important, and I never take it for granted.
Rooted in Alberta, Inspired by Connection
Although Noelle James Home is based in the small town of Three Hills, this business is being built through connections with customers, fellow makers, local businesses, and people who follow along online.
Every comment, message, order, referral, and shared post helps this Alberta small business grow. I am deeply grateful to everyone who chooses handmade, supports local creativity, and allows me to make something for their home, business, or loved one.
Shopping local is a value we hold in our family. Ask us about it! We get pretty excited about the products and owners of our locally owned businesses and why we support them. We hope to be that for you!
Let’s Create Something Meaningful
Thank you for being here and for taking the time to learn about the Sally, the main human behind Noelle James Home. There is a pretty special volunteer, my greatest support-Dan, in the wings too. You can sometimes see him on social media.
Take a look through the collection, follow along to see what is happening in the workshop, or reach out with an idea of your own. Whether you are looking for a meaningful gift, a distinctive addition to your home, or a completely custom creation, I would love to help bring it to life.
If you are a business owner looking to create something special for your brand to sell in your store, we would love to connect and see if we are a fit for each other.
Made with heart in Three Hills, Alberta—created to become part of your story.