Introducing me…

Good day to you from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I thought that since it has been two years that Steve has opened up The WoodArt Studio that I might as well introduce myself and let you know a bit about me and my ties with it. They really are nothing big as I am not, I repeat not an artist at all and I do nothing to create the art, except maybe put the cord through the necklaces and stamp the music notes on some of them. Each and every other piece that you see, admire and purchase is all Steve from concept to finale.

I am a genealogist. Yes I find the dead people, no not the "Grateful Dead" either. I search vital records, census forms and the likes there of. I teach privately or in groups and can also do personal research if you haven't got the time. In fact the first of several classes will be starting August 23rd via the Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation. Follow the link and read on page 13 what you will learn via the "Genealogical Appointments" class. Future classes will be taught via the Augusta County Government Office in Verona.

Box Elder Tree Necklaces

As some of you may have guessed I write this blog for us, along with my own blog at GenealogicalAppointments. From time to time you may find me at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market with Steve behind the tables with all of those awesome functional art pieces that Steve hand designs, creates and finishes or you may discover me at OASIS Fine Art & Craft or over in Charlottesville at C'Ville Arts. I love being Steve's wife so much that emails from the business are signed…Debbie wife of The WoodArt Studio artist Steve.

So its official you now know a little bit more about the person who tries to write to you once a week. Any questions? Please feel free to ask. If you are receiving this email for the first time and would like to take delivery of more sign up via our site or just drop me an email. Unsubscribing in the future is as easy as dropping me an email requesting so.    

Until next we meet… choose the right branch…woodturning or genealogical

Celebrate Life with Wood

As I live and breathe, yes its wood! Living, breathing, expanding and contracting. Treat it with respect and it will last a lifetime. A gift to be treasured. A reason for celebration.

When you see the pieces that we display at our different venues or here on our site you may only see a finished piece for your home. For me (yes it's Debbie) I see what started out as a hunk of wood that has become a bowl, spoon or holiday ornament. For Steve, the life events of the wood are a bit more involved.

One way or another the wood makes it to the studio and is placed in the row and marked with the name of the tree. A piece can be chosen from the row depending on what the next project might be that day. What or whom has inspired the artist. In the case of this pictured spoon it was one of our good friends. I have dubbed the spoon "Elaine" after telling us what kind of handle design she liked so much. Good thoughts are offered so that the wood will cooperate with the chisels from start to finish. Not every small bowl started out that way in the design phase. It may have began as a huge salad bowl for 4 but due to cracks (again living and breathing) nasty edges and the likes there of it may end up becoming a salad bowl for 1 instead. Then there is the finishing. Deciding what type of finish to use, which may be determined by what the use of the piece will be and then all of that sanding in between rubbing on the finish. Of course there is more than one coat of finish on it. Yes all of this done by hand and with the cooperation of Mother Nature. Hot sticky, muggy days are not good days to put on finish. Piece finally completed…hours, days, months or years later. Yes sometimes it takes years to complete a piece.

#740 "Elaine" Walnut Spoon
SOLD

And so when you purchase or admire a piece from us you are touching a bit of Steve's heart and soul, sweat, tears and smiles. It is truly an original piece with a story attached to it. If you doubt it then just ask us the story behind the piece that you want and we can surly tell you it's tale from birth.

Until next we meet…choose the right branch