Brad Smith

Furniture

Furniture makers frequently ride the coattails of easily recognized styles such as Shaker, Country or Arts and Crafts. In my work, I intentionally try not to be pigeonholed into an existing furniture design category. What I try to do is make furniture that has not been seen before, but still retains some familiarity. That familiarity is gained through the use of good proportions, honest construction, and old-fashioned usefulness. My basic concept is to use “off the shelf” parts in ways that were never intended—as elements in the furniture. Because the shop is located on a farm, I decided to develop that as a “theme,” which is why the parts are farm-related. The idea is to make something special out of something ordinary. Ax handles seemed to be the perfect chair leg with their gentle S-curve and knobby foot. Pitchforks make ideal supports for chair backs and they even have some spring when you lean back. Disc blades, used on farm equipment, are equally good as bases for my coatrees, lamps, and music stands. These “parts” have become significant elements in my design vocabulary and give the furniture its distinctive Bradford “look.”

– Brad Smith

www.bradfordwoodworking.com

Royce Yoder

Stoneware Pottery

I enjoy making pots! I have a BA/Art from Goshen College, Goshen, IN, 1976. Started making pots for a living in 1978 and have been in my current studio since 1982. I love the rhythm, flow, and pace of working by myself. Each day has new problems to solve and work is never dull.

There is a certain satisfaction of seeing completed pieces at the end of a day, week, month, and year. The challenge is staying fresh and not allowing the work to become routine. I am always looking to “smarten up” my work by tweaking the details of form, color and purpose. It has been a rich and rewarding career.

– Royce Yoder

www.royceyoder.com

Margaret Washington

Watercolors

Margaret, a retired Postmaster from Wayne, PA, has had a diverse and fulfilling career path. Before college, she had a passion for painting in oils and acrylics, but pursued a degree in Business Management. After retiring from her position as Postmaster in 2009, she became a certified tennis instructor for both adults and children. In 2012, she founded the PennSuburban Community Tennis Association (PSCTA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching tennis to children 10 and under. Although no longer actively teaching or serving as president, she remains involved as the Treasurer on the board.

In 2021, Margaret returned to her artistic roots, this time focusing on watercolor painting. She has since taken classes with local fine artist Michael Adams and attended a summer workshop with Stephen Zhang. As a member of both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Watercolor Societies, she has participated in online members’ shows for the past two years. Many of her watercolor portraits feature her family members, including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Margaret finds a spiritual connection between nature’s colors and human expressions in her artwork, which she feels compelled to share with others. Married to David for 35 years, she describes her newfound passion for watercolor painting as life-changing and thoroughly enjoyable.

David Washington

Sculptor

David Washington, born in 1955 in North Wales, Pennsylvania, is an emerging artist who discovered his passion for sculpture after retiring from a 32-year career with the postal service. Self-taught with occasional mentoring from various artists, David specializes in wood carving, creating both relief and three-dimensional sculptures. His work focuses on enhancing the natural beauty of wood, utilizing its grain and form to create captivating pieces. David prefers working with hand tools such as gouges and adzes, and is currently developing his skills to create larger-scale works without power tools. His artistic journey, which began with art studies in high school, reflects a deep appreciation for the medium and a commitment to craftsmanship.

www.treejazz.com

Hours

November 29, 10am – 5pm
November 30, 10am – 5pm
December 1, Noon – 5pm

Location

Bradford Woodworking
3120 Fisher Road
Lansdale PA 19490