by rob on March 24, 2012
in Design
Steampunk Mobile Phone
I always like to take myself a bit out of my comfort zone when trying to expand some of my design ideas and concepts. A friend of mine mentioned he will be attending the Craft Boston show this weekend so I figured that might be a great opportunity to see some really new and different designs.
This year’s theme is steampunk, which is a style that most woodworkers aren’t familiar with. Steampunk as a genre has been around for decades but has really increased in popularity in the past few years. Because of the kind of machine works theme to much of the work, you’re far more likely to see heavy use of brass than wood. However, I think that even if I don’t start producing wood-based steampunk pieces any time soon, I can still get inspiration from the designers and makers at the show.
I’ll plan to take some good notes and maybe even some photos (if I’m allowed) and I’ll write a follow-up post on what I thought of the show. The variety of artisans showing is extremely varied, from baskets to jewelry, clothing, and of course wooden pieces and furniture. And who knows, maybe I’ll even come home with a steampunk mobile phone!
The weather was so nice yesterday, I decided to fire up my charcoal grill for the first time this season. As I was relaxing out on the patio, I noticed a few twitter mentions come across my smart phone. My friend and fellow woodworker M. Scott Morton attended the opening day reception for the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society woodworkers show, and informed me that my walnut writing desk placed second for best in show in the furniture category. An email from Tim at LACS followed this morning confirming the news. I couldn’t be happier.
I know you might ask why I would be so happy about placing second. Well, from dropping off my pieces last week, I know the quality of work on display at this show. In fact, I placed ahead of some fine craftsman that I’ve always viewed more as role models than peers. So in some ways, I’m actually quite humbled by the experience. I don’t think that my piece demonstrates the best craftsmanship, the best design, or the best materials and finish in the show. But I do think my choices across all those aspects are what makes the piece stand out.
In case you’re wondering, the piece is still for sale. It’s listed exclusively at the NACS gallery in Lexington, MA for the next two weeks. So if you’re local to the Boston area, I encourage you to stop by the showroom.
