Passion for Quality

We consider ourselves blessed to have made some warm and caring friends through the short time we have lived here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In fact quite a few from our vending days at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market.

One of them is Elaine and because of this awesome woman we now have what we call the "Elaine Spoon". You see Elaine is an awesome cook. I can vouch for that as I have had her fruit cake and I was never one to eat fruit cake.

#814 Cherry
"Elaine" Spoon SOLD

So one day Elaine comes through the market searching for a gift, a spoon. At that time most of the spoons that were being carved had long straight handles and either an oval or round flattened style bowl. Elaine liked it but did request one change. Instead of the straight handle she would have liked in a bit wider towards the middle. No problem for Steve. A few days later the "Elaine Spoon" was born. It has now become a staple in our inventory being carved from various local woods such as cherry, walnut and even pearwood to name a few.

OASIS Art & Craft Gallery in downtown Harrisonburg will be having a special show in November of which Steve will be a part of. He has just finished making his shaving horse for this show and will be at the gallery on several days demonstrating his carving techniques. We would love to have you take some time out of your busy day to stop by and watch a bit of what goes into carving spoons and the likes there of. The pretty tentative/solid dates are: Nov 7, Nov 9. Nov 11, Nov 13, Nov 16, Nov 17, Nov 21, Nov 24

Until next we meet…carve the right branch.

Spirit Outhouse

It is a perfect day for a walk in the countryside and you have packed enough water for your journey. Having just found a path that seems to lead down into the primeval forest a smile slowly emerges from your face. What a glorious day for a quick jaunt. Birds are singing in the trees as chipmunks scurry alongside you. Remembering back to the days when you read always to drink enough water so as not to become dehydrated you drink every often. But oh does the water have an effect on you now.

So you have to go, what shall you do? Miss Manners would no doubt say find a bathroom, however out here in the forest all you see are trees and those silly chipmunks. But wait. Up ahead, at the top of that ridge, is that an outhouse I see? In my now state of emergency it must be. With a mad dash up the 6 steps I climb only to reach the top and find the door with the neatly painted half moon locked.

 No this is not a dream, although it can be one of the tales that you spin when friends ask you about the Spirit Outhouse that is sitting on your bathroom shelf.

Steve began carving Spirit Houses from Cottonwood Bark a little over 4 years ago. The box from Alaska took almost a month to arrive but in the end was well worth the wait.

How he can take this raw piece of light weight bark and create a whimsical place for a good spirit to live (or relieve oneself) as he is carving is beyond my dreams, and yet he can. From small outhouses to a three story multi-rise house Steve has managed to bring a bit of fantasy into reality, complete with windows and even a balcony at times.  Several pieces are still available and can be viewed here in the studio gallery.

#383 Spirit Outhouse

SOLD

Oh, on a side note if you would like to read a bit more about Steve and The WoodArt Studio he is featured in this weeks Harrisonburg Farmers Market “Meet Your Vendor” series.

Until next time…Think spirits and Dream Wood.