"1000 Ideas For Creative Reuse"

Quarry Books recently published a softcover book on rePurposed Furniture and Furnishings called- "1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse"- featuring my work (5 images) and the work of my brother

(6 images).

This book is written by an artist from Eureka ,California named Garth (can't help but think of Waynes World when I hear that name- sorry dude!) Johnson who found my work thru flickr (ahhh- the wonders of Social Networking/ aka Web 2.0 !)

Garth chose to break his book into chapters that group the work into what I feel are slightly confusing categories.

For example, his first chapter is titled "Paper,Collage, + Assemblage"- which implies a material based taxonomy - but then other chapters are arranged by function (for example the chapter titled "Housewares + Furnishings" ),

but, then there's a chaptered titled "Geek Craft + Man Craft" (which sounds waaaaay to much like a term HGTV uses called a Man Cave- which I cant stand!) -

so - I'm a little confused by his method of taxonomy.

Also - for visual purposes - they chose to display the books photographs with out any text to explain/support what the image is.

The only text is a credit for who made the piece and who photographed the object.

All of the explanation of materials used- what the object was reclaimed, upcycled from, exists as an "Image Directory", which I found very clunky to use when reading this book.

What I'm pleased about is how diverse the range of creativity is that Garth has assembled in this book- it's truly wonderful to see how vastly skilled and talented artist and designers can be.

And- it's the very first book that has published my work- and the work of my brother Aaron Kramer. (.......who's counting, that there's 6 images of his work- and only 5 images of my work- really- who's counting!?!?)

This book has spawned some ideas for me personally, to publish a book- that showed more examples of this vernacular-

but shown in situ.

How many times do most folks need to see how a piece of Furniture or a Lamp will "look" in their home- or a home "like" their home......so simply showing an object without seeing it in it's context...anyway- I don't want to give away too many ideas for my book.

Here's the ISBN to order the book:: 978-1-59253-540-8

Knock-Offs

If there's one thing that really gets me going -
It's the subject of KNOCK-OFFS.

Why?
Because to me- it's the lowest form of "flattery".
It becomes an excuse for lack of Creativity.
There's  thousands of brilliant ideas floating around in our brains- 

waiting to be developed- so why steal someone elses?

Plus- I've been knocked-off- by none other than Crate & Barrel- who had not only signed a Non-Disclosure form ( me and a Senior Buyer) but then, chose to do a poor job in executing my design- and lowering its originality.

But today - I was shocked and amazed to discover- an email inquiry- 

asking ME, to Knock-off - 

............ME!!!

Apparently an Architectural Firm in Winston-Salem North Carolina, that dates back to 1906 (according to their website) is designing a new Hotel called the Hotel Indigo (do ya think its BLUE?) in Ashville NC.. In the hotels interior lobby is a staircase that was designed by someone from this Architectural Firm- who instead of creating an original design-
& had called out a spec - of- get this-a StairRailing like mine.
Meaning- they wanted a copy made of my design.
So- the Metal/Steel Subcontractor emailed me- and later spoke to with me- asking ME- to quote on a Railing Design- that was mine- to Copy That- for his company to quote to the Architect.

First off- anyone who has ever done a Railing before knows- they are VERY site specific.
Meaning that a Fabricator in Chicago- can't very accurately- or easily, make- and expect an exact fit- of a thing made in one Geographic Location- and have it install properly elsewhere.
Just not doable- especially with a Complex Curved Staircase.
The fella at the Steel Fabricator- who asked to me Quote on Knocking MySelf Off- made it sound like it was an off the shelf product- like- here's how many feet we'll need- and then- you can quote it. Plus- he voted for McCain (OK- I'm an Obama supporter!).

What's really amazing- is when he sent me a PDF to review to submit a Quote- The name of The Architects Firm was quite legible- so I called and chatted with them- telling them- I was flattered that they liked MY design enough to use for their new Hotel Project- AND- I would really appreciate them NOT using Google as a design tool.
That's the worst part of having a Website- especially one that consistently ranks high in Searches for key-phrases like Stair Railings

Well- the young designer at The Architecture firm now has a better understanding of Knock-Offs.
I may not have a job in Ashville NC- nor a job with the Winston Salem Architecture firm- but I do have a great story to tell about KNOCK -OFFS

Recycled Wood

Did you ever notice the trees blown down from one of those violents,sudden microbursts- and wonder- gosh, wouldn't THAT make a wonderful something?

Well, so did Bruce Horigan, owner of Urban Forest Products, Inc.
They take the Chicago areas urban trees to their highest re-use possible,using this sustainable resource to create hardwood lumber for Furniture and Flooring.
Pretty cool, huh?
They carry all types of wood
from Ash,Adler, and Birch
all the way thru the alphabet to
Sycamore and Walnut.
Bruce is a certified Arborist- and is really passionate about wood.

Plus- he delivers (in the Chicagoland area)
So next time your neighbor decides its time to "whack" that gorgeous old tree in their backyard- call Bruce- 847.729.1023- and he'll make sure, either YOU or someone else will make something pretty out of it.
(Other than woodchips!)


OH YEAH- if you want to have a piece made using this wood, and don't have the resources to Build your own furniture- Bruce is happy to provide the contact info for woodworkers,cabinetmakers or Furniture Designers that support his business.

Horigan UFP,Inc.
36 Park Drive
Glenview,IL.60025
847.729.1023
bahorigan@sbcglobal (dot) net

http://www.horiganufp.com