Today we're spending some time with Creator's Studio member @chicagocelticcrafts 👋🏼
Why did you join Creator’s Studio?
I belong to a few maker/woodworking forums and this was the first one that had active participation of a facilitator. It's a place that I found is open and interactive, the facilitators are actively engaged in genuine conversation, creating challenges, sharing DIY's best practices, ideas and processes. They put the focus on makers first while promoting Rust-Oleum products. When I initially discovered this community I was intrigued most by the "How it Works" video guide, how easy it was to create a profile and actively participate in the program. And those creator challenges... who doesn't love a challenge? I have to make the time to participate in more of them.
What’s your favorite part of the Creator’s Studio community?
What I love most about the Creator's Studio community is the inspiration I find in other DIYers creativity and the passion these makers exhibit. I get to converse with like-minded creators in a safe space, a learning environment, and the website is so easy to navigate.
How would you describe yourself/occupation to a complete stranger?
I'm a woodcraft artist/maker. I create Celtic-themed art from wood and mixed media.
What creative areas do you like to focus on?
This year I am focusing on incorporating intarsia and pyrography techniques in my woodcraft designs. For the past few years, I've taken drawing, sketching and painting classes, incorporating different media into my artwork. I'm a retired learning and development trainer so I like to teach, and a former professional photographer too, so I like to get creative using that skill set when I share my work.
What is your favorite Rust-Oleum product? How has it helped with your DIY projects?
I use multiple Rust-Oleum products but my favorite is the Painters Touch 2X Ultra Cover. The line offers a wide selection of colors and finishes, dries fast and leaves a beautiful finish.
What interests you most about DIY projects?
My Dad always involved me in the how to DIY house repairs, so I was interested at a young age. I like to put my own personal spin on projects in the planning stages, and decide what media I can use to bring it to life. Although I have a German name, I'm German, Irish, French and English. Since both my parents were Irish, that was the dominant influence growing up, and a heritage that I'm most proud of. I incorporate Celtic themes into my art when I can. Love working with my hands, and it seems more and more people appreciate unique handmade items.
What’s the best DIY project you have completed and how did you accomplish it?
A personalized Celtic-themed wedding guestbook, made with love from wood. I was approached by a couple who had a picture of what they saw at a recent wedding and they wanted something like that but 'elevated'. We worked together to create a design that incorporated the Celtic theme, a hand-carved Claddaugh symbol (which denotes loyalty, friendship and love) in the center, their name and date of the wedding, and the shield of the four counties in Ireland their family has roots in. My first one was painted and I used modge podge to transfer the images. Used a scrollsaw to cut, then hand-carve and shape the Claddagh, name and date. Primed and painted with multiple colors of Rust-Oleum paint and on a handmade frame, and trim. Since then I've made several more, in a variety of natural wood species too, and included watercolors as appropriate.
What’s the most difficult project you have tackled?
I like to make 3D flags of my hometown city Chicago, which include layers of work in many colors or species. The most challenging projects are ones that include paint, simply because I can't control humidity and temperature. My workshop is in my garage, it's uninsulated with no HVAC. Projects can take twice as long if the paint doesn't cure enough. I learned the hard way that patience and planning is key. Maybe someday I'll have my dream workshop.
If you could create any type of project (with no limitations), what would you design and why?
I want to start designing collections of my art where I can create unfinished kits with instructions for new DIYers of all ages. This would allow users to customize the kit and choose their own colors to assemble and paint.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know about you.
I was born in the '50's in a family of nine children. I love most any kind of music. Right now I thoroughly enjoy listening to meditation themes or spa relaxation music while I'm working.
What’s the best advice that anyone has ever given you?
- Create from a place of peace and abundance.
- Show up in your creative practice.
- You are in charge of bringing value to your work,
- Elevate or amplify the beauty in your work.
- If you work on your gifts, they will make room for you.
What book(s) are on your nightstand right now? What shows are you streaming?
Books: Learn to Burn; by Simon Easton. A step-by-step guide to getting started in Pyrography. I participated in a recent burn challenge it was so much fun!
Celtic Carved Lovespoons; by Sharon Littley and Clive Griffin. Provides a ton of inspiration, patterns, and tool recommendations.
I subscribe to Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine, as the scrollsaw is the most used tool in my workshop.
I also subscribe to Architectural Digest Magazine as I'm studying Architectural Photography by Professor Steven Brooke which includes over 20 reference titles in Art History. Currently reading "The Voices of Silence" by Andre Malraux, the greatest read in the collection so far.
Streaming shows: "Your Honor" with Bryan Cranston, "The Murdaugh Murders"
What’s your all-time favorite food?
Finger food... Crispy chicken wings with lemon pepper or garlic parmesan with a variety of dipping sauces. Also, my future daughter-in-law is a charcuterie creative who constantly spoils us.
Thanks for sharing your story and projects with us, @chicagocelticcrafts!
