I'm Inspired By...

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a bit for Margaret Hamilton's blog in which I talked about some of my family members who inspire me. This week I'd like to talk about some members of this team, Design Style Guide, who inspire me. And no, they aren't all woodworkers.

I'm inspired by Pat Parker. Her pottery is so kinetic, controlled chaos, a genie emerging from a just fired bottle. She utilizes just enough pattern to make it real art, and leaves the rest to develop as it will. Her work is beautiful and bright and exciting. This is something I strive for in my woodworking.

I'm inspired by Suz and Mark Vainner. Their "Turnadaisy" design is simple, elegant, highly useful, and makes me wish I'd thought of it first. I can build a Lazy Susan. I have the hardware sitting in my shop right now to do just that, but the design has to be just right. I am inspired by the Turnadaisy because it's such a great design, and because I want to design something just as useful, yet very different than these wonderful Lazy Susans.

I'm inspired by Liz Ballard. She basically taught herself to paint, and look at the results! Her work is full of energy and color. It makes me smile to see her paintings and I know I'm not alone. I have tried my hand at painting in the past. I never had the patience for it, which is strange, considering how long it takes to build a bookcase or a television console. This is the same energy I see in Pat Parker's pottery, the same energy I want to pour into everything I build.

I'm inspired by Alexandra Snook and Edward Way. They build items with wood, just as I do. The objects they build are very different than the ones I sell, but we're doing the same sort of work. It is inspiring to me to see how they take a piece of wood, pour their own brand of personality and creativity into it, and it looks like no one else's work when they finish, no pun intended. That's what I try to do as well, and I'm happy to share the territory here at Design Style Guide with these wonderfully gifted woodworkers.

If you make Handmade Home Decor Items, come and join our team by clicking on the image below.

Not only will you be able to network with us, but also you will have the ability to post your listing on our team website.

If you like this blog entry you'll love my blog, jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks. Check it out. I'll be glad you did.