Sustainability has always been part of my creed, well before starting Branching Out Wood, and certainly living in Northern California has only cemented my practices. This article describes the net new solar investments I have made - and continue to make, what “net new” means and why it matters, and the thinking behind a solar business I recently started.
Every Last Scrap
Sustainability3 CommentsWhat to do with all those wood cut-offs, narrow strips, and odd-shaped pieces that just aren’t quite big enough to make a lamp or tealight? They’re too nice to burn or compost, and too many to give away as samples at the festivals. In this article, I explore share two ideas that I’ll be exploring in earnest in the coming months to keep the scrap bins from overflowing.
2017 Summer Festivals
Products & Shows4 CommentsThe Evolution of an Idea
Products & Shows2 CommentsAll too often, we celebrate the successes but sweep those projects that didn’t make it to completion. I want to celebrate the complete design process, including those that failed (or evolved). Here I share the inspiration behind three product attempts - one that actually made it to fruition, and two that failed even before getting to market, whether via a “build” problem or a design problem.
Collect All Forty
Products & Shows1 CommentThe Business of Wood
Personal Journey, Workshop & SafetyCommentGoing from a few products and the idea of starting a business, to a business ready to face the world, is a lot of steps. There’s the administrative piece related to registering the business, insurance, and the like; the workshop logistics as I go from making one or two of something at a time to a few dozen; and since I’m exhibiting at shows, the preparation for that, including figuring out your tent, tables, displays, and how to get there. While everyone’s journey in this process will differ, this article shares a few of the steps along the way in my journey to get to my first show.