Barbara Holmes: Lattice Works

Every year, the San Francisco City Dump selects 2 local Bay Area career artists for its coveted Recology Artist in Residence program. If chosen, the artists are provided a stipend and work on site, combing 44 acres of recycling facilities and public disposal areas — aka the Transfer Station, aka the dump — searching for materials to make art from. At the end of the residency the dump holds a reception, and the results are almost always intriguing. From trash to treasures! To date, my favorite work has come from Barbara Holmes, a woodworker, sculptor, and teacher who used her time to make, among other things, these intricate geometric forms using reclaimed lattice. There is something magical that happens in the tonal gaps where the wood once crossed over itself. Be sure to check out her blog, re(f)use, where she documented her process and the show.

Best Made Co. Axes

Best Made Co. was founded by designer and author Peter Buchanan-Smith, and outdoorsman and environmental entrepreneur Graeme Cameron. The two promote the merits of craftsmanship and self-reliance through their remarkable custom axes, a product of loaded symbolism — "indispensable and sublime, the epitome of fortitude and strength, a perfect design object, a timeless instrument." The heads are made of fine-grain steel, the handles of Tennessee Hickory, and each one is hand-painted, varnished, and polished in downtown Manhattan. All axes come securely packed in a hand-made wooden crate. [thanks, Rugg, for the link!]

Brothers Dressler

Canadian twin woodworkers Jason and Lars Dressler are the Brothers Dressler, a custom furniture company dedicated to using salvaged and upcycled materials with an heirloom design objective. The craftsman pieces are truly beautiful, and no scrap from their creation goes unused. "Wasting material is taboo to us and we believe that with a little creative thinking much of our potential waste can be repurposed into useful and beautiful objects." The brothers turn the left over off-cut material from their furniture series into handcrafted jewelry and children's toys. Simply fabulous. [via Reuben Miller]

For a great interview with Saul Griffith — the man who coined the term heirloom design — check out the winter 2010 issue of GOOD, Slow Down.

Earbud Owl

Prevent owl-less-ness with these fabulous laser-cut wood Earbud Owls (available on Etsy), by John Edgar Park. Works best with Apple earbuds that have a rubber plug cover. Based on the design by Eagleapex.

Note: this doesn't fit the new Shuffle or iPhone 3GS earbuds with the 3 button remote. An update is in the works.

Wooden Keyboard Enclosure

Steampunk isn't always for me, but I do enjoy dressing up hardware in hardwood (or plywood, as it may be). Check out the whole project by Matthias Wandel on woodgears.com. [via Makezine, via Hack A Day]

Henrique Oliveira: Tridimensionals

Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira is trained as a painter, so it makes sense that his 3D work would take on such theatric texture. Working with reclaimed wood, Oliveira creates immense installations that swell, surge, and plume — a living wall. The shapes are such that at times I am greatly reminded of Jenny Saville. Ravishing. [from Design Sponge, via Mandr]

David Trubridge

Living with a woodworker and craftsman has opened my world to the sculptural wonder of timber. In the cache of heroes is David Trubridge — internationally acclaimed designer and maker. Trubridge is an inspiring and enviable guy. He's a self-taught furniture maker with a degree in Naval Architecture (boat design). He designed and built his own house, but only after sailing around the world for 5 years on a yacht with his family. He exhibits, curates, teaches, and travels internationally, while also running a design partnership, Cicada Works, and student design studio, Cicada Studios.