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Driftwood Horses

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Beachcombing, a few years back, my friend found a piece of driftwood that looked exactly like three horses’ heads rising from the waves. Very cool. But that’s nothing compared to the driftwood horses of artists Matt Torrens, Heather Jansch, and Deborah Butterfield.

Matt Torrens driftwood horse sculpture Spirit The differences between these different artists’ interpretations of “driftwood horse” are striking, but all have achieved a remarkable combination of driftwood’s naturally weathered graceful lines with the powerful majesty of the equine form.

Matt Torrens

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta (“Cow Town”) and now living in southern California, the horse rendered in driftwood is a natural subject for sculptor Matt Torrens.

“Spirit,” the driftwood horse head sculpture by Matt Torrens shown here, was exhibited at the California State Fair in Sacramento, August/September 2008. Photograph by laura.bell.

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Natural Wood Knitting Needles

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My sister insists on wooden knitting needles. As she’s a genius knitter, I bow to her expertise when she tells me that wood is the best choice for working with real wool.

Lightweight yet strong,  wooden knitting needles are naturally warm to the touch, which is apparently much nicer for those knitters who are troubled by arthritis. Or, I suggest, for those who just love the feel of smooth wood!

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Dust Furniture One-Offs and OutTakes

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Most of us don’t make a habit of stalking a furniture maker on Facebook, but here’s one you may want to make an exception for.

If you’re already a fan of craft artist Vincent Thomas Leman’s “abstract traditional” style — the heart of the practical yet whimsical Dust Furniture — you will know exactly what I mean. If not, you soon will be craving the warped and wonderful pieces for yourself.  Each piece is  handcrafted with skill and good humor in the husband-wife team’s studio in Valparaiso, Indiana, USA.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on their Etsy outlet, if you’re on a budget, to catch the occasional sales on handcrafted “prototypes, web exclusives, extras and sometimes, mistakes…” and the occasional surprise deal you’ll find hard to resist.
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