functional
tableware
I love making functional items for daily use. Like slow cooking, I believe there is extra “flavor” in slow making things by hand. My tableware is primarily made from clay and metal, but I also make glass items.
My work is often narrative and or representational, as seen in the mushroom handled measuring spoons, blacksmithing shop beer stein, and the mini diorama bottle stoppers. The sterling silver champagne flutes are inspired by the grand staircase in San Francisco’s city hall.
hardware
I’m an avid admirer of the metal plates behind door knobs and drawer pulls called escutcheon. I found an apothecary cabinet that I bought and refinished that inspired me to make a series of flower themed escutcheon. Bees, bats, and hummingbirds seemed the obvious choice for the knobs. I made the original models in clay and then hand cast each piece in my metal shop. The finished cabinet was donated to our annual gala fundraiser for the school.
The yellow dresser with the antique tool escutcheon was inspired by the pollinator apothecary cabinet.
The chess set was also created for the gala. This was a collaboration I did with master wood worker and dear friend, Fr. Martin Mager OSB.
