Inventory

So I spent a good deal of Thursday trying to get past my writers block. Eventually we went to Wordle. Had a lot of fun there playing around with WoodArt Studio. When I finally decided what I wanted who would have thought that it would take another couple of hours trying to figure out how to get it saved and posted to this blog. I'm exhausted so here it is. Can you figure out that it is so many of the items that have emerged from the studio?

Until next we meet...Wordle Wood

Cooking With Wood

By The Enlightened Chef, Scott Ingenito
www.thedailychews.com

Firstly I want to thank Debbie and Steve for having me do this guest post on their blog, they have always been like a second set of parents to me when we all worked together back in NY. When they made the big move to VA and got the wood studio up and running they became my true inspiration in making the 3,000 mile move from Long Island, NY to Ocean Beach, San Diego and having the courage to change careers. I am truly honored to be considered a friend of theirs, and even more honored to contribute to this blog and share my journey in life with theirs.

Which utensils are better to cook with in your kitchen, metal, silicone, or wood? It is an age old argument and my answer is an honest one: All of them! But, I will admit that I do prefer to use my wood utensils, for a few reasons; They are extremely versatile, they can be used in any type of pan or pot and they do not scratch or tarnish your cookware. They also will not change the taste of acidic foods such as tomato sauce. Overall factor is that they feel really good in my hand, for me cooking is like alchemy, I am fascinated in the art of growing something, harvesting it, breaking it down, and turning it into something so amazing and unexpected. I feel this is also true of wood, in all aspects it amazes me! As a drummer and surfer, my most prized possessions are made of exotic woods by master wood crafters much like Steve (the owner of WoodArt Studio and this blog). It may sound silly to many people that I add cooking in with artistic things like making music, instruments and wood working, but the truth is that it truly is an art and it seems to follow the circle of life much like wood does;  it is grown, harvested, broken down, formed into something even greater, just like the food we eat.

If you didn't guess by now, I also prefer to cut on a wood cutting board, specifically a nice thick sustainable bamboo cutting board. In all aspects I feel wood plays a major role in shifting and shaping food from the beginning of our existence. Just think about the process, so many products come from wood/trees, in the beginning man used it to fuel their fires for heat and cooking purposes, and now we used it to smoke meats and add an authentic accent of flavors from many different kinds of wood. It is truly so versatile, whether cooking with wood, over wood, smoking with wood, one thing is for sure, without wood cooking would be drastically different. If you do not own any wood cooking utensils, I urge you to try some out. There are so many out on the market now and many are from sustainable resources like bamboo or cork.

Thanks for reading, follow me on my culinary adventures at www.thedailychews.com

The WoodArt Studio says look for more guest posts from Chef Scott and The Daily Chews in the future along with some of his more than delicious recipes.

Until next we meet...

It’s December

It’s December and we all know what that means. Chillier weather, shopping, extra eating, more company and the list goes go on. This past Wed. we started the holiday season off with a Bazaar at JMU, that’s James Madison University, for all of you non Virginians. To be in a 103 year old institution with approximately 17000 students was an awesome experience and we will look forward to participating in the Bazaar again next year.   

Today was wood cutting day for the woodstoves. Even in the mildest of winters you cannot have enough wood, especially when you are working with two stoves, studio and home. Cutting also gives us both the chance to clear away some of the trees that have fallen from the past on the property.

Friday is the day that we always prepare for the market and we are looking ahead to this Saturday’s market as it will be the first of the Holiday Market with its shortened hours. 9am to noon. Three markets with three shopping hours each. BUT… we have something else for you. A BONUS market on Christmas eve. Same place, same time so no excuses for not finding the time or us as we will be in the same spot, #25.

Steve has added a few more pieces since last we met. An ornament or two, a key ring cross charm, spoons and a natural edge pear bowl. As we start this holiday season let us thank you for all of your support, comments and purchases.

Until next we meet…

                                                                               

A Dream Takes Shape

March is here and with that Spring will be arriving. It has been what I would call a mild Virginia winter, but then I have to say that this has been our first full complete winter in Virginia.

The later part of winter 2010 was spent building the inside of the studio. In fact at that time there was no The WoodArt Studio, there was only a dream and an empty shell of a studio. Walls, insulation, electricity and placement of equipment was an everyday occurrence during the cold pre-spring months of 2010. There was no heat in that building back then so work was dependent upon the outside weather even though we were banging nails on inside walls. By late spring it was to become a working studio complete with major machinery in place and a long work bench along the eastern wall. Chisels, sandpaper, finishing oils could now be all laid with easy reach.

Spring 2010 had arrived and with that the beautiful weather the Valley has to offer. The garage door could be opened up and work could be done with all of the natural lighting that the day had to offer. Wood was turning and chips were flying. Bowls, spoons, spirit houses were being constructed all in preparation of our future patrons.

The dream was becoming the reality and in July 2010 The WoodArt Studio was born. That same month brought The WoodArt Studio to facebook with its own page so don't forget to check it out there. As soon as we figure out how to add the link from here to there that will be done also. Learning, learning. Last week launched our blog/website here and today the second post. So there you have it, the cliff note version of The WoodArt Studio. More to come so tune in again.

What's really happening today you may ask? Well the woodstove, that was added to the shop in the heat of August 2010 is fired up and warming the inside of the studio. Wood was just picked up from one of our dear friends and transported to the studio with the help of our neighbor, Jerry. Fresh coffee has been brewed and soon curly chips will be flying at The WoodArt Studio again and another ??? will be created.