You can contact me by email: mark@decoustudio.com
I have a few things for sale on Etsy.com at this link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/decoustudio
Profile:
I'm located on an old farmstead in the midst of the Tallgrass Prairie of the Kansas Flint Hills, I'm a Self-Employed, professsional Crafts Artisan. I work out behind our house in a small shop that I fixed up enough to shed rain and hold in the heat in the winter. It's not a "dream shop" but I make a lot of things in my cramped little place, and I enjoy the view out of each window. Life is good.
I was taught woodworking and design by my Father, a master furniture and clock builder, and former school woodshop teacher. One grandfather was a farmer and rancher, and taught me to fix equipment, enjoy working for myself, to love the outdoors, and to care for people. The other grandfather was a College Economics Dean at Kansas State University, and he taught me to stay out of debt and to love art. I also received some great training in High School Wood Shop with Mr. Ernie Hiekes who made each day make sense, and encouraged us to dream and explore the craft. One class with Marc Adams in 2000, was a great boost to me, and helped me see wood from a perspective that didn't involve squares and rectangles. Other than that, I'm mostly self taught, and try to learn a new craft or material every year to continue to grow creatively.
After obtaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University in 1987, I went onto work in the oil industry at Exxon and then Koch Industries. I left the corporate life to pursue my passion for working in wood in 1997. It's been a long and sacrificial journey, more so than I had imagined it would be. But I'm applying my hands to work that I dearly enjoy, and I feel gifted and blessed by the Master Creator, so I hope to continue for many more years.
I have been greatly encouraged by Sam Maloof's Autobiography, and his lecture in 2006 at the Western Design Conference, where he told us budding furniture makers to, "...Never give up, never give up, never give up, never, never, never, never, never give up....."
My Portfolio Includes:
- American Contemporary Crafts
- Commissioned Art Furniture
- Walking Canes and Walking Sticks
- Artisan Hat Making Tools
- Silversmithing & Jewelry
- Coppersmithing & Hardware
- Gun Stock Carving
- Gun Stock Repairs & Refinishing
- Fine Antique Restoration
- Scrimshaw Artwork
- Powder Horns & Historical Re-enactor Articles
- Custom Hunting Knives
- Custom Steak Knife Sets
- Historical Crafts & Paleo-Art pieces
- And an occasional sculpture piece, lathe turned piece, or something else unique and interesting that strikes my fancy at the time.
-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com
27 comments so far
Martin Sojka
home | projects | blog
1892 posts in 2643 days
#1 posted 2399 days ago
I’m glad you enjoyed your Summer contest prize, Mark. Don’t know if know but Glen Huey has been recently named Senior Editor at Popular Woodworking…
-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka
Jim Earl
home | projects | blog
323 posts in 2386 days
#2 posted 2374 days ago
Mark thank you for your comment on my entertainment center. I made a jig to bend my trim. I drew it up but for some reason I cant upload the picture. As soon as I can figure a way to up load I will. Again Thank You. Jim Earl
-- Jim Earl http://www.myspace.com/earle5
Jim Earl
home | projects | blog
323 posts in 2386 days
#3 posted 2349 days ago
In the past I remember some one telling us about a place where we can sell our products for free. Can anyone help me find where I can sell. I would like to get something started to where I can sell some of my works. Thank You Jim Earl
—Jim Earl
-- Jim Earl http://www.myspace.com/earle5
scottb
home | projects | blog
3648 posts in 2497 days
#4 posted 2348 days ago
Jim – You can check out Etsy.com or there’s always eBay.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Mark A. DeCou
home | projects | blog
1947 posts in 2576 days
#5 posted 2347 days ago
Hey Jim: I have a lot to say about selling work, and how the internet can help, or mislead. I will put my thoughts together after the Christmas rush next week when I have the time to give the effort it needs.
Thanks for asking,
Mark
-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com
BassBully
home | projects | blog
258 posts in 2267 days
#6 posted 2255 days ago
Mark,
I admire your courage to become self employed. The first time I arrived at this site I was basically introduced to the Lumber Jocks through your interview for winning the winter contest. Reading about your commitment to Christ and your family was inspiring.
At work, I often daydream about woodworking as a profession. I feel drained at the end of the day dealing with the toils of the corporate world. Maybe after I get my wife’s and my college loans paid off I’ll feel more confident about that endeavor but we’ll see. I’m sure that self-employment isn’t always glamorous but being home with my family, doing what I love, and allowing my wife to continue to stay home with the kids would be glamorous enough.
Thank you for sharing your faith, thoughts, and projects.
-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!
JTRid43
home | projects | blog
29 posts in 2243 days
#7 posted 2229 days ago
Mark,
You are an inspiration to those of us who long to use the gifts and talents God has given us to use our creative minds and hands to recreate the beauty of His creation as He reveals it to us. My talents in working wood was lost for many years for reasons that need not be shared here. But now, as I have returned to the passion of my youth, God is restoring those talents and I am learning so much. I have a lot to learn when it comes to building furniture but I also have lots of time to spend in the shop. Thank you again for being here and sharing your talents and gifts in the wood shop. I hope to learn much more from you and others here at Lumberjocks
Jeff
-- In His Grip,
Harold
home | projects | blog
310 posts in 2018 days
#8 posted 2011 days ago
Mark I have went thru all your projects as well as your web site, I really admire your work, I wish I were more eloquent, but a simple thank you seems fitting.
harold
-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.
mtnwild
home | projects | blog
3474 posts in 1698 days
#9 posted 1697 days ago
Hi Mark, just wanted to say hi. Looked scrimshaw up on the internet and you were in there some where. Glad you were. Joined lumberjocks because of it. I also work with antler and do scrimshaw. Just made some canes when I saw your site. Super work you do! If you get a chance check mine out. Just kind’a gettin’ goin’ on working in my shop so almost anything is possible. I also rehandle old knives, only done a few but it’s fun. Just am amazed at your work. Later>
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
Handymom
home | projects | blog
36 posts in 1488 days
#10 posted 1483 days ago
You were definitely blessed with a talent! Beautiful work! I’m new to LJs and have found a few other Kansans. You live in beautiful country. I drove back and forth from Wichita to Manhattan (K-State) and always admired the huge stone home w/ out buildings that is now part of the Kanza Wildlife area. I kept saying I was going to stop by and just knock and ask for a tour. Then several years after that I was driving by with a friend and there was a sign for tours! We pulled in and I finally got my tour! I look forward to checking out more of your work!
-- Karen W., KS.
gjd
home | projects | blog
18321 posts in 1822 days
#11 posted 1482 days ago
Congratulations! In the next few days you will have been a Lumber Jock for 3 years!
-- gjd Southcentral Wisconsin
Handymom
home | projects | blog
36 posts in 1488 days
#12 posted 1482 days ago
Mark – that would be awesome if you have the time and patience for a semi-beginner. A few things I’d like to try are a shadow box of sorts to display my father’s hammer and drill somehow. And I’d like to make some sort of headboard (craftsman style). I would definitely expect to pay you for your instruction just like I would if I were taking a class. Let me know what you think.
-- Karen W., KS.
Occie gilliam
home | projects | blog
505 posts in 1467 days
#13 posted 1410 days ago
try this jock he built some befor
Website: www.decoustudio.com
-- OC down in Costa Rica. come down and see me some time. I'll keep the light on for you too-oc@hotmail.com mail.com
Art
home | projects | blog
56 posts in 1374 days
#14 posted 1356 days ago
Hey Mark, that’s a beautiful display table. Do you have any plans for it? I have a client here in South Africa who I recently made a knife display case for (see my projects) that would probably be interested. All the best, Art
-- Arthur T., Pringle Braai Furniture, South Africa, atrfrmusa@yahoo.co.uk. A lion leaves its skin when it dies....
FenceWorkshop
home | projects | blog
269 posts in 1295 days
#15 posted 1285 days ago
Wow. Your work is out of this world. So detailed. I think is very, very impressive.
-- Brent - http://www.fenceworkshop.com http://fenceworkshop.com/atlanta-ga/ http://fenceworkshop.com/raleigh-nc/ http://fenceworkshop.com/wood-privacy-fencing/
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 27 comments
Have your say...