Feb 17, 20236 min read

Techniques of the Artisan

Updated: Jan 15

What is the creation process and what techniques create such intricate detailing and unique designs?

Find out below!

The rustic Desk with a hidden compartment is available online

Before I dive into the details I will share with you why I chose Rustic décor/ furniture to start my journey. Many years ago, I worked at Lake Placid Lodge in the Adirondacks and was surrounded by the most beautiful rustic atmosphere...something out of a fairytale. I remember in the honeymoon suite was a dresser made of matchsticks and I was moved by the uniqueness of that and other pieces of art-driven furniture there. It was the twigs, birch bark, and the atmosphere that made me feel connected to earth. It wasn't until I moved out of New York that I realized how much I was missing that feeling. The grounding connectedness to nature within my own home and interior surroundings. Although I was still in nature, I was missing the beauty and ambiance of that Adirondack surrounding. As many of you know, in the midst of being a domestic violence survivor I set off on a journey to find a safe place to heal and express myself. I was aware of the joy the rustic environment gave me, so I started to create my own. That became my safe place.

I started with a birch bark coat rack, then a small bathroom mirror, and a mail holder (which forever resides in the Adirondacks with my brother). From day one, this has been way more than creating something unique. It's been me showing myself heal through the art that I create. I've never once gone on Pinterest for ideas and intentionally avoided seeing others work as to not hinder the originality and designs of my own. I did, however, search the most prestigious rustic furniture store in Lake Placid so I would understand how to price my work when I felt confident in the quality of it matching and/ or exceeding what they offered. This also gave me a vision and understanding of what my target audience was drawn to.

Let's talk techniques.

The Driftwood Lamp is available at H'art Studio & Gallery in North Creek, NY

You know how a chef doesn't reveal their secrets so no one can duplicate it? Well, unlike the chef, I am not concerned with anyone trying. My work takes a lot of time, unique vision, and is so much "me" that I embrace the concepts and encourage others to create rustic decor. In fact, I like when clients try to create something rustic. It's like becoming a parent. Once you become one, you have so much more respect for parents/ artisans in the concepts of relatability and perspective comprehending the very challenges one might face.

STEP 1- CHOOSE BARK (or in the case of the lamp, I chose driftwood)

When I start a new project like the desk above, the first thing I do is choose bark big enough to cover it; Then I cut it to fit. For the desk, that took me about an hour and a half getting each piece cut to fit. Then I move onto applying it which takes a while too. I use gorilla glue galore! I chose this because it's the absolute best quality. I saw treehouse masters use it and thought that had to be good stuff. It really is! I always clean surfaces and sand them before applying anything. This is something valuable to get the details to really adhere and last for generations. So,With the big sheets of bark I put wood glue on the innermost part of the bark and use gorilla hot glue on the edges. The combination ensures longevity of the art piece. With picture frames and mirrors I will also add tiny flat head nails to the edges and hide them! After the bark is on, I allow myself the freedom to go with the flow.

STEP 2-DETAILS

I start adding details first, then twigs if they're used, then the moss. Each piece is so unique to the next that I rarely repeat a concept. The one thing I love to do on many of my rustic pieces is layer the tiny pinecone pieces like shingles as a border. It's one of the distinguishing features of my work. The desk, for instance, took months to design. The properly dried birch branches were added to create a border and to enhance the yellow birch that was used on the top. I worked on this piece all over and in no specific order. As I added the big pinecone pieces to the top I wanted to tie in that concept on the bottom to express unity and balance. You will see symmetry a lot in my work, if not, balance. That's what makes sense to me and in self expression I must at least make sense to myself.

The layering and stacking of pinecone pieces was repetitive and time consuming but I loved it! If you're not patient, I do not recommend this haha So with the pinecones I choose several of similar size and cut off the individual pieces. Then I burn off the pine pitch with a hot air gun; then I apply each and every piece one by one.

When every detail is in place, I then add the moss to hide the glue and add to the unique outdoor vibe I am creating. Moss is tricky, which is probably why I am the only one who uses it. To apply moss to the desk, it took 5 days! Then, I get to hide the glue with a three part process. Picking off the glue, using a hot air gun to melt it, and then a wood burner to burn off the tiny little glue the hot air gun wasn't able to hide. This process takes just as long as applying the moss. I'm ok with that, I enjoy having my own techniques.I've never wanted to be like everyone else. Plus, this process gives a very clean look and the steps involved have been thoughtfully chosen with dusting in mind. I am a unique person and my work is exemplary of that. Once the desk was finished, well almost finished, I felt like it was missing something. So, I went underneath it and added a board to the bottom creating a space to hide things! Once the Little hidden stash area under the drawer was in place, I felt that it was ready to share with the world.

STEP 3- FINISHING TOUCHES

Once all of the glue is hidden I paint my varnish on. Another very lengthy process. As someone who is sensitive to chemicals, I chose Ecos Paints varnish. I couldn't have someone else's work in my house if it was covered with polyurethane...the smell would make me sick. So this plant based varnish has no scent and when dry, creates a glass like coverage. I love that it hasn't yellowed any of my white birch too! The process of painting this varnish has to be done in a specific way. Not too much, not too little. If you paint on too much it has a white or dripping look to it. If its too little you have to go back and do it all over again. I oftentimes go back twice after the initial coating just to make sure I covered all the angles and especially the moss. Once it's all dried I then remove all flaky moss. I put on gloves and go over it all like I'm intentionally removing it so that it doesn't fall off when someone cleans it. There may be a very little that shed later on but at this point I have minimized that greatly.

STEP 4- TAKE PHOTOS, LIST IT ON WEBSITE, SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SELL IT

(Or in the case of the antler cabinet, move it to an art Gallery so it can be admired until it sells)

The Antler Cabinet is available at H'art Studio & Gallery in North Creek, NY

Over time, I have gotten better at taking photos that capture the genuine quality of my work. Though this is not my specialty. Then, I edit the photos and list them on my website. For one project, this takes me about an hour and a half because I have a 5 year old 24/7 running around needing moms attention. Once it is listed on my website, I then share it on social media or send it to you in an e-mail. If you'd like to be the first to purchase new collections, be sure to subscribe to monthly emails.

As you can tell, the process of creating is like having a full time job...being that I am very passionate about it, one might say this is my authentic self sharing me with the world. From start to finish, it is a journey in discovering what else I can create and how else I can expand on it.

NEW RELEASE=NEW TECHNIQUE

The Red Twig Mirror has a very unique technique and design. I used red twigs and southern pine needles and entwined them all along the inner and outer borders.