12 days of Alabama-made gifts: Get a head start on 2014 (holiday gift guide)

Ed Potter uses three kinds of wood to build classic Windsor chairs and other pieces at Northport's Ashlen Windsor Chair Co. (Special)

Some gifts just can't be had at the last minute, so why not plan ahead?

That's the case with Ashlen Windsor Chair Co. of Northport, which produces classic Windsor chairs, benches, settees and other pieces that are handmade to order. The required lead time is eight to 12 weeks.

Ed Potter, who makes the furniture, said he has always liked working with his hands.

"I like the permanence of it, if you will," he said. "I'm building something that will be here long after I'm gone."

Ashlen Chairs is Day 7 of the al.com holiday gift guide: 12 days of Alabama-made gifts. Each day, we're spotlighting a different product or products made in the state.

See Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6.

Ashlen was founded 30 years ago by Rick McClendon. Potter and his wife, Ashlee, who is McClendon's daughter, began running the business 12 years ago.

Potter uses three kinds of wood to build the pieces, which are priced at $360 to $1,200. He also uses traditional methods of joinery, with no screws, nails or metal.

The company is a throwback to a time when 18th Century craftsmen built similar chairs one at a time.

"It's a bit of history," Potter said. "These chairs are similar to those that the founders of our country were sitting in."

Ashlen recently received a nod from the Alliance for American Manufacturing, which selected the company for its state-by-state gift guide of American-made products.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.