Care

On the furniture and wall pieces, I use a low VOC polyacrylic finish on the wood. This water-based finish is not nearly as harmful to me or the planet as solvent-based finishes. I typically spray 6 coats of finish on table tops to ensure good protection for that hardworking surface. Vertical surfaces get at least 3 coats of sprayed finish.

When living with my handmade furniture, a soft dry cloth can be used to remove dust. A soft cloth dampened with water should be able to remove stubborn smudges and dirt. Do not use any ammonia-based cleaner as it will damage the finish.

On the sculpture, candleholders, bud vases, and ball clocks, I use a linseed oil-based finish on the wood. The same care as is described in the above paragraph should work for pieces made with this finish. Of special note for the bud vases, remove the stainless steel insert, fill it with water away from the wooden bud vase, and reinsert it. This keeps water from sloshing into the wooden bud vase, which is best for its longevity.

On the hand dyed handwoven fabric, blot up spills with a clean cloth dampened with water and a tiny amount of dish soap if needed. If the fabric becomes too wet, blot it with a towel or better yet, a microfiber cloth if you have one, to soak up most of the moisture. If you are in a panic about it being too wet, don’t be afraid to use a blow dryer to expedite the drying process.

A note about colors and sun fading. The dye I use to achieve the vivid colors in both the wood and textile elements of my artwork is a fiber reactive dye. It reacts on a molecular level with cellulose fibers. While it is extremely color fast, there isn’t anything that is impervious to the damaging effects of long term exposure to sunshine. To keep the dyed wood and fabric in my artwork from ever fading, either keep my artwork out of direct sunlight or have UV coating installed on your windows. The polyacrylic wood finish I use has UV protection in it, so that helps. But it’s not a total failsafe for fading colors. Also note that the higher your elevation, the stronger the UV rays.

Good Craftsmanship:I really try to make artwork that will stand the test of time. Good craftsmanship is my highest priority. However, I do enjoy innovating new ideas that may perform in ways I don’t anticipate. And also, functional art that involves physical interaction may show wear over time. If, while in your possession, an aspect of my artwork fails due to my craftsmanship, I will do my best to repair it at my own expense. If you are the cause of a failure or damage to one of my artworks, I will also do my best to repair it for a fee that is commensurate with the extent of the damage. Normal wear from typical usage is not cause for repair. The satisfaction of my customers is very important to me. Please contact me if after purchasing my artwork, you are unsatisfied with it for any reason.