Sustainability
As a craftsperson that works with materials that grow from the earth, I bear the responsibility of pursuing an environmentally conscious and sustainable practice. I design all of my work to be heirloom-quality. Each piece is an investment, it will not need to be replaced and it can be considered a commitment to sustainability.
I prioritize the use of reclaimed and scrap lumber. I use a variety of sources; from old pallets, fallen trees, old irreparable furniture, material from gutted buildings, as well as scraps from larger industrial manufacturers who throw away scraps of wood that are too small for use in their production. When I must buy freshly cut lumber I source primarily from domestic wood species that are grown in well-managed forests, and tend to avoid species that come from abroad, which burn more fossil fuels in their transportation, and oftentimes come from countries with limited laws or enforcement of responsible logging. Exotic species end up in my work only if it can be reclaimed.
I mill the wood with the use of machines, but after that almost every step, from cutting joinery to sanding between coats of finish is done by hand. I choose a finish that best suits the functionality of each piece, while bearing in mind its environmental impact. I prefer to use finishes with natural ingredients such as shellac, oils and wax.
Much of the joinery I incorporate in my designs is inspired by traditional practices that have demonstrably lasted for centuries. I also design with wood movement in mind, since wood is a natural material it expands and contracts with seasonal fluctuations in humidity. All of these considerations are necessary not only for the integrity of the piece, but because of the ever-increasing vulnerability of our forests. To use such precious materials, the work should withstand the test of time.
I prioritize the use of reclaimed and scrap lumber. I use a variety of sources; from old pallets, fallen trees, old irreparable furniture, material from gutted buildings, as well as scraps from larger industrial manufacturers who throw away scraps of wood that are too small for use in their production. When I must buy freshly cut lumber I source primarily from domestic wood species that are grown in well-managed forests, and tend to avoid species that come from abroad, which burn more fossil fuels in their transportation, and oftentimes come from countries with limited laws or enforcement of responsible logging. Exotic species end up in my work only if it can be reclaimed.
I mill the wood with the use of machines, but after that almost every step, from cutting joinery to sanding between coats of finish is done by hand. I choose a finish that best suits the functionality of each piece, while bearing in mind its environmental impact. I prefer to use finishes with natural ingredients such as shellac, oils and wax.
Much of the joinery I incorporate in my designs is inspired by traditional practices that have demonstrably lasted for centuries. I also design with wood movement in mind, since wood is a natural material it expands and contracts with seasonal fluctuations in humidity. All of these considerations are necessary not only for the integrity of the piece, but because of the ever-increasing vulnerability of our forests. To use such precious materials, the work should withstand the test of time.