The Magic

      There’s something magical about making something from a raw material, especially wood. In my opinion, that magic is augmented when the materials are seen by most as “scraps” or “useless” or “castoffs.” I love the castoffs. I seek out the scraps. I use the useless. I like to use the entire buffalo. I am obsessed with this concept in woodworking. I know I can find a way to use these bits from my own work (and other people’s) 98% of the time. 

      The obsession stems from a couple of places. First off, I hate waste. Ask my family. If I see someone leaving the water running, or using more than 4 squares of toilet paper, I’m on that person like stink on a skunk. Secondly, I can see purpose in things that others cannot see. Again, ask my husband, too many times I have seen pallets, bed frames, dressers, you name it, left out for the trash truck, and I’ve stopped to pick them up. Really, any wood material that isn’t totally busted, I’m into. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I know the item I can create from this “trash” can be a functional, and more often than not, beautiful piece of furniture for a person who might otherwise go without. And this is what Longer Table Woodcrafters is all about. It’s the trifecta. The holy trinity of the company. 1. To keep wood materials out of landfills: reclaim. 2. To reuse these materials in my own work: recycle. 3. To create these items with a thoughtful approach to function and beauty: reimagine.

      When I was a kid, I used to scour the streets in my neighborhood looking for treasures. My friends and I would always be in search of gems in the landscaped rocks, or jewelry in the road. Every single time my mom and I would go for a walk, she’d say, “Keep your eyes peeled for a hundred dollar bill.” The thought of that potential reality was so thrilling to me. I know that’s why I enjoy this challenge as much as I do. It’s about finding beauty in the normal, the commonplace. It’s a puzzle.