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| Hi, I'm Tom , the artist responsible for the furniture on this web site (and then some). Since this page is about me, I suppose I should let you know a little about myself. I am all about the Creator and my work. I don't prioritize these, I see them (and everything else) as One. Since I work at home, I am able to create my own peaceful workplace striving to keep the Real Doer as my constant Companion. And then there is the furniture that will never go away - talk about a constant companion!!! I build furniture in my dreams!! I am a very, very blessed man. Let me take you quickly thru the process of creating a bench. I start each project with a walk in the woods (we should all be so lucky) accompanied by a sketchy mental picture of this bench. As I walk, I am looking primarily, for a tree with real character. Experience has taught me what to look for, and when I find it, (or it finds me) it actually creates the bench. Every other piece I gather on this walk will support that keystone tree - artistically and literally. Sometimes, it is a very special tree with a lot of character and personality that I dig up roots and all (yup, on my hands & knees with a small shovel all alone on a mountainside). Back at my shop, I am jazzed to use all these materials to help create a new bench. The Creative process is a humbling experience. The best work happens when "I" get out of the way and let the 'SPIRIT-THAT-IS-ALL-THINGS ... do IT'S thing!! The bench starts with that special tree that I have harvested, that keystone piece. It is roughly cut to a manageable size and cleaned - sometimes hand stripped of its bark. I then turn it this way and that until I get a clearer vision of how it wants to be used. I then temporarily fasten it to the back of my workbench in this position. Then the rest of the bench is created around it - adding legs, arms, seat and support pieces each in its turn. I always temporarily fasten the pieces together and then step back and evaluate. Throughout this process I am always checking the bench for comfort - striving to combine beauty and function. Once this temporary structure is completed to satisfaction, I then take each piece off and scrub/clean thoroughly. Important step - this could end up in your home and most rustic makers skip this tedious step (don't blame them). I then reassemble the bench using various fastening techniques - mortise & tenon, glue, hardwood pegs, screws, whatever the situation calls for. I then sand the cut ends and coat them with ureathane. I then step back and look the piece over - savoring that fleeting moment of satisfaction one gets with a task completed and well done (hopefully) and always blessing the piece by thanking the Real Creator. By now I am ready for another walk in the woods, so I gather up the scraps from the project and return with them to the forest looking for my next project! Each project is unique, but this is a general sketch of how I create my furniture. The bentwood pieces I create from small saplings and I have a pretty clear idea of where they are headed when I gather for them. I do make each design unique by finding unusual pieces with which to build the frame. And with some projects, the gathered pieces have to be stored and dried before I can use them. But all my pieces start with that walk in the woods. I use 20 varieties of trees in my work and all of them, except the ones I dig up, regenerate from their root systems quickly. Truly a renewable resource!!! _________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING FURNITURE? My dad was a builder and I grew up helping him and consequently have built my own homes and furniture thru the years. I have been making them full time as my livelihood for the last 18 years. I have made over 2,300 pieces of furniture during that time period. When I deliver a new piece of furniture to a customer that bought one, say 5 years ago, I am amazed at how my work has evolved over the years. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO MAKE A CHAIR? I always answer this the same way - I don't want to know! I just try to make strong beautiful furniture and disregard time. Time is one of the great illusions anyway. If my work is special, it is because I am willing to take the time to do it right and add all the little details that the discerning eye finds joy in. If I kept track of time, I fear I would be tempted to take shortcuts and consequently, my work would suffer (as would I). Besides, I don't want to know my hourly wage!!!! IS THIS ALL YOU DO FOR A LIVING? Yes. 7 days a week - 10-12 hours a day. All year long. ARE YOU MAKING A LIVING? Kinda. IS THIS INSIDE FURNITURE OR OUTSIDE FURNITURE? Both. About 60% of it ends up inside including covered front porches. Due to my experience with lots if different kinds of wood, I can recommend a variety that inherently does better than others outside. All wood placed outside should be kept sealed with ureathane to protect it from sun and moisture. When you purchase a piece of furniture from me, I will give you detailed instructions on how to care for it, inside or out. ____________________________________________________________________ CONTACT INFORMATION: e-mail is by far the best way to get in touch with me! I would be happy to answer any questions you might have - don't hesitate to contact me. I do lots of art shows and people ask the darnds't questions - and I really don't mind answering them. Heck, I even know the meaning of life (at least for me). _________________________________________________________________________________________________ SHIPPING I can and have shipped almost anywhere. Most of my furniture must go by motor freight. They will bring it right to your door. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ I ACCEPT ____________________________________________________________________ MY WORK CAN BE SEEN AT: I am not doing any shows early in 2009. Best way (by far) to contact me is by e-mail. I am prompt in my replies! Last updated: 12/24/08 Stay tuned for more events I will be attending throughout 2009. ____________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GO THRU MY SITE. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. I AM HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOUR ROUGH SKETCHES, DIMENSIONS, PICTURES, ARCHITECT DRAWINGS, ETC. TOGETHER, WE CAN CREATE A TRULY MEMORABLE PIECE OF FURNITURE FOR YOU! PEACE, TOM |
