More than a basket. Hand crafted from steam-bent and laminated hardwoods, with multicultural influence in every stitch, this is a sculpture that stands for our universal collective needs as people living on this earth.
"Jíbaro" is a word that is quintessential to the Puerto Rican identity. We now use it to describe someone who lives in the countryside or cultivates the land, but it comes from a Taíno word that translates to "lover of the forest." I love that because it means this term is both distinctly of our land of Borikén, as well as universally human in meaning.
We are currently experiencing and witnessing a lot of pain in our world, and I find myself searching for reminders of what makes us human.
This is what I see in a basket—a tool so simple and universal to our collective needs as people living on this earth. To this end, I drew from various cultures for inspiration. My West African ancestors guided the overall shape with their bold and beautiful baskets, and lent me the triangular detail that serves as a starting point for much of the piece with their sense of geometric form. Incredible bamboo weavers in Japan inspired the feeling of water in the curved ash (a theme that flows through much of my work already), and pushed me to "think outside the basket." My Taíno ancestors' fantastic sense of motion, and lines that constantly and fluidly morph depending on the viewer's vantage point, fueled the ever-changing composition of those watery curves. And the Jíbaro's humble but emblematic straw hat, the pava, informed the spiraling ends that float out like blades of grass.
And so, yes, this is a basket. But it is also a celebration of humanity, a call to learn from and listen to one another both near and across the globe, and a reminder that every one of us is capable of adding beauty and purpose in this world, regardless of the violence around us.
Part of the Wild Cottonwood Collection, this large bowl takes its shape from traditional dough bowls, with some twists inspired by the material. However, I think it may be better suited for dry goods such as fruits, or for decoration. Carved by hand from a locally sourced Cottonwood tree, organically shaped feet add a sense of presence and fun to the design. Gouged texture flows out in streams up the sides. The inside was scorched with a flame torch until fully blackened, adding both aesthetic and protection. Finished in a food safe blend of true tung oil and thinned varnish for a timeless, subdued sheen quality. Please note that abrasive or multiple washings may eventually start to wear out the darkened wood.
The Güembé chair was named after a Bomba rhythm originating from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Güembé is a joyful sound, full of power, poise, and playfulness, and is traditionally associated with courtship, romance and flirtatious gestures. I have always admired that my ancestors were able to express these joyful sounds despite the horrific conditions of colonialism and slavery. While I would never compare my life to their pain, the hope in these chairs is what led me through a difficult time in my life full of loss and challenges, and I can't help but feel a similar energy and pride in creating light and beauty out of darkness. In each hand-carved gouge and curve I have poured love, and hope, and honor for those who came before us, and the full intention that you will experience these feelings when you enter the room, or use it to pen a letter or talk to a friend, or simply close your eyes and run your fingers along the textured seat edge.
As with all of my woodworks, these chairs have been made almost entirely with hand tools—from stock preparation, to joinery, to shaping and carving. While certain operations such as the cutting of strips for bent lamination require the aid of power tools, centering my work around hand power sets the energy imbued in every piece. I answered my calling to woodworking because I desired a life of serenity, simplicity, and intentional living, and I want anyone who interacts with my work to feel the same things. The whistling action of a sharp blade along the grain is more respectful of the tree, more kind to our planet, and brings me a sensation of peace and introspection that I believe carries on in the piece, to you. Yes, it takes more time and physical strain, but the value it adds is priceless.
These special edition Güembé chairs are made from Hard Maple, Bird's Eye Hard Maple, and Sipo (also known as Utile or Sipo Mahogany). All joints are hand-cut, integral mortise and tenon joints for ultimate strength and longevity. The seats are attached with special hardware to accommodate the movement of wood throughout the year and prevent splitting. They are finished in dewaxed Shellac,** then hand rubbed with steel wool for a more subtle, satin sheen.
*Bent lamination is a process whereby wood is cut into thin strips, then glued together and bent to fit a designed form. This allows us to have thin, lightweight curves while using the structure of wood grain to our advantage.
**Shellac is a natural film finish derived from the resin of the lac bug in India. It provides good protection, superior depth of clarity, is non-toxic and free of plastic, and is easier to repair down the line than most finishes. Please be aware that Shellac does dissolve with alcohol, and contact with alcohol or substances containing alcohol should be avoided.
For many of us, our relationship with our hair is a journey—especially if we've been blessed with textured hair. After all, our hair tells a story of history, lineage, and culture. While I was personally fortunate to've never been told that I had "pelo malo" ("bad hair"), it was always a silent understanding that my hair was particularly difficult to manage. It wasn't until adulthood when I truly learned that hair like mine isn't difficult, or bad, or even tricky—it simply needs to be respected and treated according to its nature. And so it is with great pride that I am offering these hand-carved hair picks!
Wood feels better than plastic in the hand and on the scalp; it grips hair better while being gentle enough to avoid damaging your hair. My hair picks are designed to feel solid without being overly long or bulky. Carved thumb grips allow for comfortable left- or right-handed use. The prongs are tapered in all directions, ending in an arched configuration that efficiently fits the scalp and guides your hair. They are made from rescued White Oak that was once destined to be flooring, then tossed aside by a builder. Oak is a resilient wood that should provide many years of use, and will continuously get conditioned thanks to the nourishment of natural hair oils as well as your LOC or LCO regimen.
Honor your ancestors and wear your hair with pride with hand-carved hair picks as unique as you! Available in natural white oak, and flame-scorched.
Part of the Wild Cottonwood Collection, this medium-sized bowl is a play on traditional bark-up handled bowls. Ideal as a smaller-end fruit bowl, or serving or decorative bowl. Named "Aguacate" because I once had the thought that it sort of looks like an avocado, and then couldn't unsee the image! Carved by hand from a locally sourced Cottonwood tree, it features a gouged texture on the outside, smoothed inside, and flat base. The outside was scorched with a flame torch until fully blackened, adding both aesthetic and protection. Finished in a food safe blend of true tung oil and thinned varnish for a timeless, subdued sheen quality. Please note that abrasive or multiple washings may eventually start to wear out the darkened wood.
Nothing promotes a sense of peace like taking the time to appreciate nature at its simplest level—a bloom, a petal, a stem—and pausing to enjoy the present moment. My one-off bud vases are designed to showcase the material they're made from as well as the beauty of whatever single stem you choose to display.
This bud vase comes with a removable glass tube (20mm x 150mm) that you can fill with water to keep your living stems happy; the three smaller holes do not have a tube and are meant for dry or artificial plants. Bring joy and serenity into your home by celebrating the beauty of one single stem at a time, with a sculptural piece as unique as the stems you choose to display! Hand carved Sipo Mahogany wood with timeless, playful design; finished with an oil/varnish blend, polished with beeswax.
Part of the Wild Cottonwood Collection, this sweet little tray is a practice in simplicity. Would work great as a catchall for odds and ends, or to keep your pens tidy on your desk. Carved by hand and sanded smooth, it features a hairline split that was filled with blue-green resin, and wonderful curled grain. Finished in a food safe blend of true tung oil and thinned varnish for a timeless, subdued sheen quality.
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