@commondeer recently posed the question, "What is your favorite thing about being a Vermont maker?" I was born and raised here in Vermont, a state with nearly 80% of the land in forests. I feel fortunate to be able to pair my background in engineering with my passion for creating functional and unique woodenware. From designing to putting on the last bit of finish, everything is done by me in my woodshop in Grand Isle. What I enjoy most about being a maker is the opportunity to tell a story through every piece. I make an effort to source the majority of the wood I use from lumber responsibly harvested and milled in Vermont. Each piece offers a snapshot of our state: seasonal phenology told through tree rings and woodgrain reflective of the diversity of trees, growth forms, and insects that dwell in our forests. Naturally, maple is my favorite to work with. I add further character to each piece through Lichtenberg figures, a process utilizing 2,000 volts of electricity which leaves behind a unique etching in the wood, which I then inlay with hand crushed stones or metals, and seal in place with a clear food safe resin. No two pieces are alike, just as no two trees are. The raw electricity is almost impossible to control, as the burn finds its own path through the wood grain. Many say it looks like nerves, capillaries, or a watershed. Whatever you may see, I hope my work offers a look into Vermont and a timeless piece for you to use and enjoy. And last but not least, I have most recently been working on topographic maps of Vermont, completely accurate and generated using satellite data - a process that’s been two years in the making! 
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