Handmade

When you see the word "handmade" what image or thought does that bring to your mind? In this technology dazzled age where we are surrounded by automation and very little face-to-face time it may have a negative connotation for some. For others, it may mean 'someone loved me enough to make this with their hands just for me.'

As an artist and creative it means: I had an idea, figured out what I needed to do to bring a thought into a concrete object that you could wear, look at or enjoy. Of all the crazy creative items that I have made over the years I love making my decorated wood blocks.

I started out recycling wood scraps from our construction sites. Since that's not an option anymore, I enjoy going and choosing my lumber, cutting the blocks and sanding them.

The smell of cut wood and the sawdust remind me of my childhood. My grandfather owned Henley Hardwoods. I grew up walking on all the hardwood logs, playing in the sawmill with the wood scraps and riding with my Poppy to sell his sawdust. One of my favorite memories was riding in his old dump truck with rusted out floor boards watching the road through cracks. I also loved riding with him on his orange forklift while he moved logs inside the mill.

So all of that love goes into my "handmade" blocks. The sum of my 40+ years of creativity, my trained eye and all of the embellishments and paint I have collected of the years. I put part of my heart, gifts and talents into every piece I make. And while I strive to make it "perfect" its imperfections are what make it special and one-of-a-kind. A thing of beauty that brings the recipient joy.