Much like my products and skills continue to develop, so does my workshop. I started off woodworking at our first duty station in Hawaii, slowly accumulating tools and learning as I went in order to furnish our first house. Each tool represented a new skill, new knowledge, and new capability. Once we moved from Hawaii to DC, I added blacksmithing and metalworking, and the learning continued with me cramming tools into every square inch of floor space and hanging things on every square inch of wall space.

At some point in 2024, I stood in the doorway and realized there was too much going on. Everything was too cluttered and instead of being a creative space it was just a mess. So I stepped back and started redesigning the shop. I sold off my woodworking tools, pulled down the clutter, and intentionally started to design for form in addition to function.

While the workshop has transformed to a more production space it is still part of our home. It can be filled with friends forging a cocktail pick or bottle opener during a party, or family hanging out drinking a glass of whiskey. Additionally, the workshop sometimes spills over, with Julia and I packing orders in front of the TV with the latest reality television show I pretend not to watch. 

This space is small, but it forces things to be quiet, efficient, and constantly evolving. The shop reflects the same values as my work: clean design, attention to detail, and most importantly continuous learning.