The joy is in the making

"Breakfast is Served", a piece I entered in Ohio Designer Craftsmen's competition "Best of 2026", at the Ohio Craft Museum in Columbus.

I feel like wood is part of my DNA, having been first exposed to it in my uncle’s wood shop in my early childhood. I was always fascinated with wood – the beauty and endless variety in the grain, the color of different species, even the fragrance of the curls emerging from the plane’s throat.

In my work I gravitate towards artistic expression, bringing out the best characteristics of each piece of wood and letting it “speak for itself,” while also pushing the boundaries of what can be made of wood. “Breakfast is Served” is a good example of this philosophy, and while the tray table employs traditional mortise and tenon joinery, with lines borrowed from Art Nouveau style, the challenge for the rest of the pieces displayed was to find the right pieces of wood that would best resemble the real thing; the birds-eye elm for the bagel, the creamy holly for the napkin and cream cheese, the pine egg yolk, and the bubinga for the rose…

And so it is, a challenge and also a joy, seeing a non-descript piece of wood take shape into something recognizable, while spinning on the lathe with chips flying, or the curls emerging, one at a time, raised by the sharp edge of the chisel or knife. As for the process, I’m like a wood borer, gnawing away in the dark, hoping for the light.

Occasionally the light does come, in the form of a positive comment at the end of a post and I take this opportunity to thank all those who’ve commented or gave me likes or hearts…

The work itself is both, exacting and meditative; exacting because you can’t have sloppy joints, or it will not hold together, and meditative because it is un-hurried, the imagination taking me at times to some exotic places, trying to mentally track the journey of a particular piece of wood.

Ultimately, the joy is in the making!

Since some of you were wondering if I was still around, as the blog was silent for a while, I am including here pictures of my latest endeavors.

A new take in the kumiko for this forest inspired lamp.

Some calligraphy nib holders and the box for them covered in hand made marbled paper.

Another kumiko box with sides of Padouk

And three kuksa in maple (and walnut)

And of course, Josia, my apprentice with his first project off the lathe

In just a few days we’ll be heading North, to spend summer with our daughter in Columbus. While there I hope to attend the Steam Show in Millersburg with my Amish friends, so stay tuned for news.

Wishing you a peaceful summer filled with good things, like vanilla ice cream, lemonade and the laughter of children, all crowned with blessings from above!

Voicu the Tinkerer