81st American Crafts & Historic Homes Tour
We have been crafting timeless, quality woodcraft furniture and accessories for decades. Using local Virginia Hardwoods and a discerning eye for detail, each piece is thoughtfully designed and made in our Southwestern Virginia woodshop.
Wood
Turning wood on a lathe is act of discovery. Something unknown lingers within awaiting the lucky guess and right tool. Is that found log or reclaimed board solid, a little rotted, a lot cracked, or too knotty? Can I stabilize that weakness? If so, then a bowl, or an urn, or a toy lurks within. The will of the wood and the whim of the turner tell a tale as sharp steel and sand paper reveal the beauty and utility waiting revelation.
As a third generation furniture craftsmen wood working has always been a large part of my life. I learned this art from my dad and grandfather and have always wanted to put my own vision into the trade. I have been creating pieces of furniture for 15 years and have gained a large amount of knowledge about woodworking. Many different styles of furniture have caught my attention but none that I was drawn towards. I have always enjoyed working with metal and wood and wanted to incorporate metal into my furniture designs. My style closely represents an “Urban and Loft” design. This style appeals to a younger generation and incorporates metal accents in each piece. I never wanted to tie myself to one area of wood working and respect all aspects of the art. I enjoy classic pieces of furniture made from solid wood as well as fresh ideas including epoxy and live edge pieces. Live edge slabs give the opportunity the show off the true lines of a piece and leave everything completely natural. The use of epoxy pours in a piece provides the opportunity to use lumber that might not normally be selected for a quality piece of furniture and gives movement to the design.
As a period formal furniture maker, Kauffman’s intention is to build furniture inspired by the designs of authentic period pieces and to impart to those pieces a beauty that can be admired and enjoyed, and a functionality that can be appreciated for generations. Kauffman’s hope is that his furniture, having been built with time-tested, period joinery and embellished with period carving, inlay, veneer, and other decorations, will emulate the quality, lasting appeal, and value of furniture from the 1700s and early 1800s. Lastly, that his furniture craftsmanship, conscientiousness, humanity, and dignity will be easily recognizable to those who own it.
Jackson Foster is a maker and painter of trade & tavern signs in the tradition of 18th and 19th-century artisans. His research of historic people and places is the rationale for the majority of his signs. His background in history, design, lettering, and woodworking provides the basis for creating authentic interpretations of early American signboards. He uses reclaimed wood–some boards date to the 1700s–and period-style hardware including
blacksmith-forged hanging irons, nails, and hinges—all making for unique signs in which no two are alike. He continues to refine his craft through research of early American artisans, typographic styles, painting practices, and joinery techniques. Each sign purchase comes with a framed, historic description providing research and background information.
Wood
Kara Wood Designs has been creating wonderful woodwork for over 20 years. All of the shapes and patterns are original designs done by John Kara. The business started in the early 1990’s and consisted strictly of collapsible baskets. Years later, John got the idea to angle-cut different shapes such as angels, trees and crosses. We work in an individual studio where we use hardwoods and laminations of hardwoods to make the artwork.
We are a couple who live and work together. 42 years ago, we formed a business venture, an on-going partnership, when we chose to create traditional hand-tooled kitchen utensils and wooden vessels.
Our deep appreciation and reverence for trees are reflected in our approach to making long-lasting, functional art pieces.
We refined our skills, techniques, finishes and our artistry challenged us and guided us to making custom commission furniture.
Crudely fashioned or exquisitely detailed, decoys provided a means of luring migratory waterfowl close enough to be an important staple in the diet of the Colonists, whose early years were harsh before crops became established. Dabbs’ gunning decoys start as eight-foot planks of white cedar, winter-cut and air-dried for at least two years. Sitting on a carving bench, she demonstrates every technique in a step-by-step process that shows a decoy’s progress from start to finish. Using antique handtools (a hatchet, mallet and gouge, spokeshave and carving knife), the head is doweled for strength before being attached to the hollowed-out body. Durable house paint assures a sturdy finish that stands up to the rigors of field use, and inletted lead makes sure the decoy self-rights in choppy water or sits nicely on a mantel. The tradition and history of the work are as important as the style and form of Dabbs’ carvings, as each decoy must be seaworthy and durable, as well as beautiful.