Connecting with the Natural World
Woodworking, much more than a simple craft, connects makers to the natural world through interaction with dynamic material. In a world dominated by fast-paced, mass-produced goods, woodworking offers a unique opportunity to slow down, appreciate the beauty envisaged in wood grain, and create something meaningful with our hands. In this post, we will explore the forged connection between woodworking and nature.
At Heartwood, we recognize the wood we work with as a dynamic entity, with its imperfections, grain movement, and unique characteristics—each piece of wood has a story to tell. When we work with wood, we are not just shaping it to fit our needs, we are engaging in a dialogue with the natural laws of the world. Each piece of wood carries a history, and when read correctly can indicate trauma, drought, resource deprivation, and growth limitation—each imperfection make every piece one-of-a-kind. In embracing these natural qualities, woodworkers honor the inherent beauty of the material and create pieces that are both functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.
The art of craftsmanship lies at the heart of our philosophy at Heartwood Furniture Co. We transform raw material into an extraordinary piece through skill, patience, and attention to detail. In a world of instant gratification, the process of working with your hands necessitates the value of slow, deliberate work. The process, in this way, is just as important as the result. It is in this process that we find flow, and the metaphor for building our philosophy of life—a process which helps us to develop a deep connection to the natural world.
This deep natural connection causes mindfulness of our world impact, to ask the question, “how am I positively or negatively impacting the earth with my work?” At Heartwood Furniture Co., sustainably sourcing our materials is a fundamental principle of our eco-friendly values. We believe it is worth the extra time and cost to source upcycled wood, reclaimed products, or local timber that has been responsibly harvested. By using responsibly harvested materials, we ensure our practices do not contribute to deforestation and the unnecessary destruction of nature habitats. Our practices, such as creating minimal waste, creatively using off-cuts, and using environmentally friendly joinery techniques help us meet our environmental stewardship standards.
As the world continues to thunder toward fast-paced, consumerism, we hope to become a change-agent that offers an antidote to this mindset. The expectation of rapidly available, inexpensive goods results in cheap quality, full landfills, and a move away from the handcrafted good. The heirlooms we create is done so countering this ideal. We create cherished items that are passed down through generations, carrying with them the stories and memories of those who came before.
In a world that feels disconnected from nature, let us embrace this journey of craftsmanship and connection as a movement towards reconnection. In doing so, we not only enrich our lives, but also contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious approach to existence.
