Perfectly Imperfect

In the last couple of weeks I have been working with spalted maple and woodwormed walnut. They are so beautiful and so perfectly imperfect. Working with these woods has really made me reflective. I tend to be very self critical, and "imperfections" in my work fill me with anxiety.

 The wood I use in my work is salvaged or reclaimed, and that is incredibly important to me. That means before the wood comes to me it's been around the block, it's had a full life. It was a fallen tree, or maybe ripped out of a house. It has likely been around for 100 years, been exposed to ALL the elements and this is it's last chance at a (new) life. It's important to me that each piece is different and hopefully you can see a little bit of it's past.

So isn't it silly for me to get down on myself it my boards look a little (gasp) made by hand?! In fact like these perfectly imperfect pieces of spalted maple and woodwormed walnut the "imperfections" in my work are really part of it's beauty.

I guarantee my work will never be "perfect" no two pieces will ever be the same. I make each piece by hand. I fall in love with each piece. I get inspired by the wood.
I'm love learning (or remembering) the things that make us different, or imperfect, are so special and so beautiful.

Spring

Though the time change has really done a number on me (why am I so tired and yet cannot sleep?!). I am feeling so excited for our next phase. All kinds of life is emerging! I can ride my bike home from work before the sun goes down! I was shoveling shit all weekend! (the good kind, we just got a nice load of compost for the yard). I am trying to get my garden going after a year and a half of neglect. I cant wait to eat from my yard again!

                      

I am going to be quite busy until April getting boards ready for Straw and Gold. I just got some beautiful walnut rescued from Ohio, I'm so excited to cut into. I also need to slow down a little and enjoy the Sun and the waking up of the world! It's an optimistic time, and a time for finding balance. Enjoy yourself! 

Lately

Exciting news, and what I've been busy working on... I've been getting some cutting boards together for Straw & Gold. Straw and Gold is a carefully curated online shop featuring crafters from around the world. Each piece is made by hand and many are one-of-a-kind. The shop will launch in April! I couldn't be more excited and honored to be showcased with such a talented group of artists. Keep up with them and with me as this collaboration unfolds.

Photo by Sara Sanger

I've been so busy, and this blog is important to me. So posts might be short, but I'm going to keep em' comin.
Enjoy the week!