What is an Heirloom?

that’s a good point—in today’s sales pitch world, lingo is often tosses around for the value of impact rather than the honesty/truth of the word.

My thoughts about “heirloom” is that it is something that is passed down through a family, through generations. So I guess if you are making heirloom furniture it would be something of quality that a family couldn’t part with later, and the same with their children and their children.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

To add to Debbie’s line of thought. It is also built to stand the test of time.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I like where this heading so far…....thanks Debbie and Wayne.

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Great blog!

My opinion is that a “heirloom” is anything that is passed along through generations whether it is family or business but to change hands for generations it has to be made of a very high quality to withstand that movement from generation to generation. Does that make sense?

Another thought is a “heirloom” has to start somewhere and that is as a prize possession for someone who so truly loves it that they want it passed along. Thanks Mark!

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

and along with the “passing down through generations” there is a history that builds with the piece…. It isn’t just a piece of furniture (or whatever)... it is the past, the present, the future

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Very nice Deb! Are you married? LOL!!!! What a lucky guy to have you.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

yes, yes, yes…..I hear what you are saying. Keep it coming.

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

what was that Roger? Debbie is married. She also lives in another country….and it is cold up there. And for every dollar, they only give you 75 cents up there. Although, she does give out good advice. Can she cook?

Another admirer Deb,
thanks for your hard work on the eMag and this community.
Mark

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Thanks Mark for the reality check, I just wasn’t weighing everything! What are you saying? The way to a mans heart is thru his belly?LOL! Thanks Deb for the little boost in the eMag!

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

now I know why I log onto LJ so often – and I thought it was for brain exercise. No. It’s to get my ego fluffed up :D

Thanks re: eMag.

Now.. let’s see…
I’m a widow …. have a partner (a wonderful guy I might add) (oh and yes, he is VERY lucky to have me!!! i keep reminding him that, at least) hahaa … I live in Canada… where the Canadian dollar is almost even with the American dollar these days… and it’s only cold for a few months each year….. and I’m female, so full of advice… and I’m not the best cook but I make good bread, yummy pumpkin pie, and am currently (haha) making Red CURRANT sorbet for those hot afternoons that are on our way.

and Rog…. your “little boost” in eMag was all earned by you. You did all the work. I just wrote about it. :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’ll agree with what’s been said so far.

I visited The Joinery in Portland, Oregon sometime back, and liked their tagline: “Building Tomorrow’s Antiques Today”. That goes beyond the overused “heirloom” and says that whether or not this is going to have sentimental value to your heirs, it’s going to have inherent value.

But for me to believe “heirloom”, I have to believe:

1. That it’s something that I’ll cherish and invest enough in emotionally that my heirs (I’m extremely unlikely to have biologically related children) will remember me by it.

2. That it will survive my use of it.

3. That, should said heirs get their hands on this object before their mid 30s, that it’ll be both repairable and worth repairing.

4. That the style will be enduring enough that my heirs will want to proudly display this item rather than keeping it out of a sense of duty, but shunting it off to a corner and referring to it as “that tacky thing Uncle Dan saddled us with”.

5. That it’ll survive their children.

Note, particularly, the “repairable” part. I’m currently in the process of attempting to refinish a table that was once my mom’s aunt’s, and I’m having a heck of a time working around the various finishes that this poor table has been saddled with over the years. If it weren’t so special to the family, I’d built anodther one, with a style I like just a little bit more, but because it is I’m willing to hand-sand the complex turnings to try to get the awful stains off that someone once put on it.

So heirloom isn’t just about the furniture, it’s also about the process of showing those who’ll have this furniture what it means to the owner, and educating them on how to maintain it.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

Interesting topic, Mark.

I like Dan’s comments above.

I spent my working life in sales and marketing at all levels. I became very aware of the power of words. Frequently, these words were chosen because they conveyed a message, often a message that wasn’t fully understood but that contained a vague impression that comforted the customer. I suspect ”Heirloom Furniture” may be one such word.

I looked up to terms to see how the dictionary defined them.

”antique” Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period.

”heirloom” A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations. An article of personal property included in an inherited estate.

I suppose it is rather presumptuous of us to designate a piece of furniture as ”Heirloom Furniture” when, or before we make it. Only the passage of time can determine that. However, using the term as marketing spin probably makes some sense as long as it doesn’t become a meaningless hackneyed term used by everyone.

I wonder if combining ”Heirloom Furniture” with “Building Tomorrow’s Antiques Today” would work as a tag line?

”Heirloom Furniture – Building Tomorrow’s Antiques Today”

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Building Tomorrow’s Heirlooms – Today

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I consider the furniture that build to be heirloom quality. I build with the finest wood available and the best craftsmanship I can manage. It’s built the same or better quality as what was done in the “old days”. I know have looked at many antiques, and on places that don’t show they almost always use a lesser grade of wood.

I expect to pass what I build to my children. I expect it to last for generations to come.

At least that’s my opinion.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I think it is a highly overused term…. Taken literally it would mean that you are selling treasured family possesions. It seems like anything that anyone is trying to sell that is over 20 years old is getting tagged as heirloom, vintage, or antique. I realize you are trying to convey a sense of lasting value but I think its overuse has most folks immune to it.

Look at the woodworkers that have been very succesful. Their work is unique typically. Considered art, not just furniture. I think you need to find a niche that succesful people will covet. Applying words to your brochures and website may get some of the low hanging fruit but the truly disciminating clientelle will focus on the substance. If owning a DeCou is something they can brag to their friends about then you’ll have to beat them away with a stick (a nicely carved one no doubt).

Your work is extraordinary Mark. I think what you desire can only come to you if you develop a style or find that niche to call your own. Your Church work is a great door opener and a specialized niche. It could be what helps set you apart. Looking at your website you mention Arts and crafts, Sam Maloof, and George Nakashima as inspirations all in the 1st couple of paragraphs. The problem with that is that 100’s if not 1000’s of others are doing the same.

I also think you need to decide on a focus. Mixing fine furniture with powder horns on your website diminishes the furniture to everyone but the lover of beautiful powderhorns. Nakashima is known for his tables, Maloof for his chairs. I doubt Decou can be known for Fine Furniture, Walking Canes, Custom Knives, Scrimshaw Art, Toys, Puzzles, Folk-Art Carvings, Platters, Cups, Lathe Turnings, Welsh Love Spoons, Table Lamps, Wall Mirrors, Gun Stocks, Sculpture, Powder Horns, Nutcrackers, and a wide variety of different things. I guess you recognize most of that last sentence, it comes straight from your website.

I hope I don’t sound too critical Mark. I only know you through LJ but have come to respect both you and your work immensely. I sensed that you want the straight answer and not a watered down version. I don’t have a lot of money myself but know many that do. All the beautiful pieces in their homes, almost every one, comes from artisans that are known for that particular type of work. Be it a ships model, table, chair, turning, whatever…..most are focused.

I think success came to Maloof and Nakashima not because they built what they thought others would want but what they had a passion for. I don’t think the mystique can be created it just has to happen.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

thanks for your input Bob.

Don’t forget GaryK, that many antiques we all cherish today were store bought factory pieces when they were new. Many were imported and cheap when new. Funny huh?

thanks Don, Debbie, Dan, Wayne and Roger for your thoughts.

Years ago I had a tag line in my brochure that said:
“Collect things that your kids will fight over, rather than stuff they’ll sell at your estate sale?”

At the time I thought it was funny, yet thought provoking. One friend of ours read it, and the line offended her. I saw her point, and so from then on I haven’t used it.

Currently on my Commissioned Art-Furniture brochure I am using “Building Tomorrow’s Family Heirlooms”

But, I have started to feel something is not right with it either. Seems awfully presumptious of me. After all, who am I to decide what someone else will cherish?

I have a Cody McCutchen Steel Furniture piece in my home that I love. I bought it from Cody in Taos at his studio, while out on a Harley Motorcycle trip vacation (I shipped it home). I even met the CEO of Harley in Cody’s studio and asked for a job, and all of that is all tied up in the memory also. My wife and I love the cold-hard steel piece, eventhough it fits nothing else in our house, and nobody else in our family likes it. Does that make it less of an heirloom? I suppose it does by some definitions. Still, I love it, 14 years later. But, it will probably go in the “estate sale.” Is it well made? It is welded, nothing has broken yet.

I got the idea of the “Family Heirloom” tagline after my Arts & Crafts Commission customer told me that they have Willed my work to their daughter. Then my Refined Rustic customer told me that they had Willed my work to their “home” and that the “home” is to stay in the family to be enjoyed by the kids as a retreat place.

So, after getting that feedback, I got the idea of the “Family Heirloom” tagline. But, it might not be right for me either as I think it through again. And as Don says, it is an overused term.

As Bob says, you can’t create mystic, it just happens. I could say that I disagree some with that, but I think I see his point. Maloof and Nakashima are/were marketing and image masters, as well as woodworkers. Mira Nakashima’s book discusses this point about her father’s image and trying to carry on after his death. The marketing and image and woodworking all went together for them. My MBA credit hours tell me that I need to “direct”, to “market”, to instill value in my product by meer words. Could those Professors be wrong? You betcha. Still working and chewing on it all.

Anyway, I have had a lot to think through today, thanks for everyone’s input.

Off to bed,
Mark

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Mark,
It seem to me that what the word “heirloom” has the connotation of enduring quality. Your work is ”Conceived, designed and constructed by one man, with enduring quality to last generations.”
Even though the Hepplewhites and Sheratons were very likely built in shops by journeymen under the watch of a master craftsman, I think the thing that people willing to spend the extra for studio furniture are after is that one man (or woman) has been responsible for the work from start to finish, and that they are willing to stand behind their work. There was none of the assembly line aspect of the work that you warrant as the best you could give.

I don’t think that people are naive enough to think that every piece you build is a one-off. Folks are satisfied to buy numbered art prints at a premium, again because they conceive that the artist is responsible for the print. Same goes for a design that might be made in runs, as long as the artisan is seen having given personal attention to every detail from vision through completion.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

perhaps it isn’t the “what” that you are seeking but the “how”.

For me… if I wanted a Maloof, I’d go looking for a Maloof…. I want a DeCou (yes, I really really do want a DeCou)
Why do I want a Decou? Because of how it was created—the vision, the mastery, the beauty, the strength, the loving care….....
So, for me, it’s not the style name that is important (that will show in the work) but it is HOW it was made… HOW “you” make your creations…..

just another thought to think about.

When people hear the name “Decou” what vision do you want to pop into their head?

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Debbie, before I came to the LJ’s I had no idea who Mark Decou was and now when I hear “Decou” I think of a piece of religious thematic furniture built from the heart with qualities few can accomplish. Would I like a piece made by Mark, in a heart beat I would because I know how it was made. Is it a “Heirloom”, sure it is and I would pass it on to the next generation because I know it was built from the heart and I would be sure to let them know that.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

“heart” ... exactly.
When I picture Mark, I see him tenderly, lovingly, working with the wood, with FULL involvement of heart, mind, and soul…

how do you get that across in mere words on a pamphlet? That, is the question.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Think, think, think…

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Well, lots of good input so far. After reading Mark’s original post, my thoughts were a piece not only built to stand the test of time and passed down, but a piece worthy of being passed down. Heirlooms are often Grandpa’s old battery operated bartenders, or Grandma’s zirconia. Not disputing the value of those things within the family, but an heirloom, in my thinking, could be an heirloom in any family. My meaning is, something so special, that if I had it, or Mark had it, or David, or Debbie…CarverRog, Douglas, Bob, Don, Dan…we would all feel the same way.

We would find little dispute, based on my experience with this group, in calling this tropical hardwood box with mother of pearl inlay, an heirloom:

However, a piece of Ikea furniture, could also be considered one, depending on the family. So I stand by the definition of what would constitute that sort of connotation in the general masses.

Just thinking out loud.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I’m not sure one can get that across in words only Deb. I think it has to be with completed projects and their pictures.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

It would be interesting to understand what marketing has been done by succesful artisans. Is it simply “being discovered” did they actively market? It seems like it would be difficult to grow beyond your immediate geographic area without it. What created the critical mass for them. I’m sure it wasn’t just a tag line. Maybe more of an underlying philosophy that was embodied in their work and actions. I think you already have that Mark. The world just needs to discover it. I guess that’s where the marketing comes in.

I think quotations from some of your thoughtful comments here could serve you better on your brochure. Things like “Tomorrows heirlooms today” or “Building a better tomorrow” etc.. are seen so often that they are meaningless to a lot of folks. Debbie and CarverRog hit it on the head with the mention of heart. Speak from your soul not from your marketing experience.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

so the right pictures… creates the right message. .. creates the right image…

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Hello All;

I think I made a mistake in joining this forum! You guys / gals are way too smart for me!
But I did, so I’ll throw in my point of view.

I really can’t imagine a piece of furniture from Ikea becoming an Heirloom. It just doesn’t seem right. While it can be passed down from one generation to the next, the lack of quality, or personal touch found in handmade, or custom furniture is lacking.

I believe that every custom piece has part of the makers heart and soul invested in it.
I know that’s how I feel when completing a nice piece. I sometimes hate to see it go. (other times I’m glad to be rid of it).

The result of this input from the maker seems to give the piece a personality of it’s own.

But maybe I’m a little nuts.

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

boy, this has been very helpful folks. I don’t feel that there are many artists that were discovered without someone doing something, and most often, a lot of “somethings”.

I have developed the idea that “paying dues” is this process. About 12 years ago when I first thought of quitting my day job, someone said that I had to pay dues first. I remember at the time sitting around for days wondering what that meant. I had the same contemplative trouble with Scripture when Jesus told his disciples that “anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

I remember sitting around for months and years trying to figure out what that meant. I had the same trouble with the term “paying dues.”

As time as gone by, I have started to have a feel for what both of these thought crunchers mean, but it has come after several years and lots of brain activity.

For Grandma Moses, it was the art dealer that thought he could make money on her work. His first attempt failed, as nothing sold. He did another show, not much. Then, she was interviewed on a talk show, and her cute, humorous personality was seen by the public, and she was then “Discovered” and her artwork started to sell. It isn’t very good art from a “paint-a-picture” type of world we live in, but the art wasn’t really what people were buying apparently. They were just silly scenes painted on scraps of masonite, but people fell in love with her. Then, the collectors and speculators figured they could make some money.

When I look at the list of writing and high-end shows that George Nakashima attended all over the world, my head swims. I went to one show last year, the Western Design Conference, and the total cost in cash was $7,000 for me. That didn’t include the 6 months I worked hard to prepare for the show. How this man and his team of employees could have done so much traveling to shows is hard to imagine, much less the cost. The largest collector of his work is the Rockefeller family.

Sam Maloof had a large list of shows he attended. His big discovering talked about in his autobiography was the show called “Please Be Seated.” Sam was given a check for $375,000 as a “no-strings-attached” grant to help him develop his work and passion without worrying about money. This benefactor just stepped in and gave him the grant to help him out.

I do a lot of reading on artists and their discoverings, and I haven’t seen much in the modern world where someone did it without some marketing. Most of the time a lot of marketing. I would enjoy hearing about any stories that you all have on other folks. I guess I sort of collect stories on artists, and missionaries, they are both inspirational to me.

I have a growing list of tv shows that I have collected clips from that I use and study on woodworking artists. Shows that tell the story of the artists, or what is collectible about their work. There have been a handful of the lumberjocks that have received one of these tapes with about a dozen clips on it. I wish I could put it together, tyinging it together with words and narration, and offer it to others, but there is that copyright problem.

I see what you folks are saying about the “heart.” Maybe that is the direction I want the brochure focus to go instead of using the term “heirloom.” Boy, I am glad I asked the question, as the input has been very helpful. Photos, a tagline, and contact information. That is the direction I have headed with my brochures. Not much in the way of text, let the photos talk. Also, I have found that word-of-mouth has been the only reliable method of finding homes for my work. Someone said that up above in the other comments, and it has been my experience also.

When I went in for Business Plan counseling earlier this year. The counselor gave me some ideas of how to change the legal aspects of the business, going to separate LLC’s and separate tax forms for each aspect of the business, making them distinct and sellable. But, his advice was just to be where other folks could find my work. Go to shows, be on the internet, hand out brochures, etc. His research showed that artist discovering was an upredictable thing, and there was no way to figure out how it would happen. I wrote about this in my blog called the “Waiting to Be Miraculously Discovered” with more of what the counselor told me. There area lot of folks that run galleries to find homes for “emerging” artist’s work. They want 40-50% of the take.

This Forum topic has taken my thoughts to lots of places I hadn’t expected. Good input folks.

Happy 4th of July folks. Sorry Phil, us rebels just couldn’t sit under a King, or Queen.
Mark

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Hi Lee,

I guess I was using Ikea as an example of the broad functional definition of the word, heirloom. Of course Ikea furniture is throw away stuff. I was just stating that some may think it heirloom because it was Daddy’s at the home and now I can’t part with it. In that vane, I have a pickle dish from my Grandmother. I’ve carted it around in a box for 30 years. It’s a piece of crap, blue glass pickle dish. I can’t part with it. It’s an heirloom…but only to me.

In going with Mark’s original post, I think it has to be a narrow definition to a broad group of people, rather than a broad definition to a narrow group of people. If I am failing to make my point, it wouldn’t be the first time! LOL

Cheers!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Good thoughts Lee and Mot. Remember that collectible Stickley Furniture? It was made in one of the world’s most modern factories when it was new. It was also inexpensive in those days, compared to studio furniture today. The style was so good that lots of people copied Gustav’s ideas and started up businesses to compete with him. That’s what his three brothers did. I wrote about this in my blog titled something like “Gustav’s Timeless Vision” or something like that.

In my tv clip collection, I have a spot from a show called The Inurable Collector where a guy collects Stickley’s work, and talks about the timeless design, the hand craftsmanship, etc. He talks about his collection as if Stickley himself built each piece by hand. Why not? Each time he convinces someone else of the “value” of his “handmade” collection it goes up in value.

Then, I have a clip from the Antique Roadshow where a small chair is brought in from Stickley’s later years and the appraiser talks about the large, highly modern factory, and the hired gun from England that did the design work, etc.

Two “experts,” but two different stories.

Despite the facts, all of these years later, the Stickley collectors develop their own “romance” of how the old oak stuff was put together.

However, contrast that with Charles Rolfs’ work. One of his chairs was appraised at $100,000 while the Stickley was only $8,000. The difference? Charles Rolfs worked either alone in his studio, or with a small group of apprentices. The chair was his design and his actual hand work. It was valuable, although it wasn’t something that had much functional value as a chair. The appraiser said that it was the only chair of it’s kind known to exist in that wood type. It was discovered in an attic. The Stickley factory work was cool, but not as valuable.

Don’t give up Mot. There are collectible antiques today that were the “IKea’s” of their time, but I still agree with your view. Original quality helps with the collectible value, but there is always someone that seems to treasure everything that was factory made and is old. Those silly McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys are collectible…..go figure.

Gotta take the kids to swimming lessons,
Mark

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan

Hi Mark,

Having just visited your site, I’ll say you are already in the same class as Maloof. Your work on the canes is incredible.

I’ll go a little further and say Maloof could NOT produce those canes, with as little trouble as you had in making one of his chairs.

God gave us all a talent that only some of of have been lucky enough to turn into a living. Some people never discover their true passion, or if they do, are unable to make the transition of being able to make a living with it. That to me is very sad, as these people aren’t blessed with the emotional satisfaction, that comes from working a lifetime on something you love.

Sometimes it is difficult to even know what your passion is, if you haven’t yet been exposed to it. You know that almost religious feeling you get you see certain things. For all of us this is different. For me it is the old buildings in Philadelphia or Boston, that stir something inside me. 18th century furniture also does it for me. Just the thought of how they had to work, and with the materials and tools they had to work with, is incredible.

I recall being about ten years old and lying on the floor in the dining room, staring at the ball and claw feet on my parents furniture, and wondering how was it possible to create such things.

I have a favorite maker from that era by the name of Thomas Affleck. He was the prominent maker in Phila. during that time period. I am able to pick his furniture from the work of is peers, with no effort. His just went so far beyond that of his peers. A passion on steroids.

Sadly, for some people, this exposure comes after they have a family or other commitments that would require a great leap of faith to drop and pursue this new found passion. Also, starting a new profession rarely pays enough in the learning stages to support a family.

You are quite fortunate in the fact you have made this jump, and are able to do it for a living. This in itself makes you a very wealthy man.

As far as promoting your work, I think you should leave it to others to do. As Maloof did with receiving his grant. You can be sure he started out rather poor, and never KNEW where it would lead. It’s certain he had times of famine.

I kind of believe that God has a sense of humor, in that he provides you with a talent to produce fine creations, yet left you without the natural ability to promote it. That you’ll find, is a passion for someone else.

So relax in knowing that you have a gift that many would die for, and wherever it leads, so be it.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Anybody got any asprin…

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time now and here’s where I’m at…

I have to agree with Debbie, you need to market the “DeCou” name. You need to get the “DeCou” name so that it becomes synonomous with the quality of work that it is. The people that you want buying your work are going to want to brag to their friends that they have a “DeCou”, not an “heirloom of tomorrow”.

I would imagine that people do not talk about how they have an “abstract piece of artwork” in their home, no they would say they have a “Pollock” or perhaps even a “Jackson Pollock”.

I believe the more you can get people talking about your name “DeCou”, the more you will get people visiting your website and talking to you. So as it’s been said, speak from the heart in your publications, avoid the “cheesy” marketing phrases and focus on what’s important: quality work and the name “DeCou”.

and on a final note, I put your work into the catagory of work that doesn’t include pricing in the marketing materials… that – if you have to ask, you can’t afford it type thing.

-- ~ www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~

LOl…I think Dennis has the answer.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

lol @ aspirin
Yah, my brain hurts too—and I’m not the one trying to create the marketing approach!! phew… the brain cells are smokin around here these days.

Mark, you have lots of “quotes” now that you can add to your marketing—what it means to own a DeCou.
You have a big fan base here at LJ.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I have and Excedrin 9000 going on right now. LOL!! There is a lot of info to take in and sift thru isn’t there?

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

I agree with Darryl…you want your marketing angle to be towards your name…DeCou, as in, “I own a DeCou (insert piece name here)”. The trick is to always keep building up your craftsmanship quality and customer service, so in effect, you will always be paying your dues. Woodworking is one of those crafts where your skill level MUST continue to evolve and grow, otherwise I think you become somewhat of a factory. It’s also what makes each piece unique. By doing all that, you’ll build your brand equity, which is different than simply blasting your name out there like Pottery Barn for example. Yes, they are well known, and they can charge a pretty penny for their furniture, but there is nothing special about it. And I would argue their pieces will someday fetch a pretty penny at an “antique” auction, but to call it hierloom stuff is insane.

As a practical example of lingering craftsmanship and workmanship pride, about 15 years ago, before my wife and I were married her parents gave her a bedroom set that had been handcrafted by a small shop in North Carolina. The set is Honduran mahogany and the finish is hand rubbed, no spray stuff. Each drawer is numbered to fit specifically into its rightful place, and each of the 4 turned posters on the bed is also likewise numbered…beautiful piece.

When we moved from Tennessee to back to Colorado 2 years ago, the movers sadly severely damaged every piece of this set. When we had an insurance appraiser over to assess damages, he immediately classified it as hierloom furnniture due to the fact that the whole set was handmade, of high quality materials and with high quality craftsmanship. However, the appraiser recommended to the moving company, who was obviously going to have to repair or replace the damaged pieces, to have the best furniture restoration shop here in Denver come take a look at it. They came over, took one look and advised us to see if the shop was still in business, because they didn’t think their skill level with repairs could do justice to the pieces.

We played hardball with the moving line and with my company’s HR department (the move was a corporate relo) and were able to convice them the furniture was hierloom stuff. Again, my in-laws purchased this furniture for their daughter over 15 years ago, and the stuff was handmade and prior to the move, looked as good as it did the day she first got it.

The moving company was furious once they realized they were going to have to pay in excess of $25,000 just for the furniture (we had lots of other stuff damaged in the move). That value represented the current fair market value of those pieces were they to make them today from scratch. My in-laws obviously didn’t pay that amount 15 years ago, but it wasn’t cheap back then either.

Thankfully we were able to contact the shop, and even though 15 years had passed, they still found the original order my in-laws placed and, the original plans, and agreed to repair or replace all the damaged pieces. I sent them digital photos of all the damages, and from their original plans they were able to craft new pieces, even re-doing the top of the highboy dresser when they routed the wrong edge on it, and letting us keep the “mistake” at no charge.

That’s customer service and craftsmanship. The pieces still endure today and we will always keep them in the family. High quality of work, dedicated craftsmanshop. That’s a true hierloom.

Erik

-- Erik garagewoodworker.blogspot.com