'Woodchip': Furniture Artist Chip Gadek

30" Glass Top Cocktail Table
Dyed Maple with Wenge Accents
$750

Carnival Foyer Table
31" x 22" x 42" Color Dyed Curly Maple
$1,350

Off-Kilter Mirror
21" x 34" Satinwood and Wenge
$445

Raised in the shadow of New York City and deeply influenced by two older sisters who were highly involved in the arts, Chip Gadek learned at any early age the intoxication of creativity. “When I was a teen, I would play hooky from school and go to all the great New York museums — the Met, the Museum of Modern Art the Guggenhiem — I’d spend the whole day there," he says. "And even now, with 25 years of building high quality furniture, I still consider myself, first and foremost, an artist.”

Gadek's schooling took him to Colorado State University where majoring in Painting gave him absolutely no real world job abilities. After college, he moved to northern Michigan. While working as a graphic artist at a small printing company Gadek was selling two-dimensional work at regional galleries. Slowly, the paintings he was selling evolved into unique mirrors and tables. After 15 years, Chip left his job as a graphic artist to put all of his time into building ‘art furniture.’ Now with more then a thousand pieces under his belt, furniture is still what he wants to create. “I still paint for myself, but I really enjoy making things that can be used on a daily basis,” he says.

The artist now sells work in galleries throughout Michigan, Florida, Arizona and California. This is where he can work on new ideas, creating furnishings that push the envelope. And of course, this is where potential customers that might order special items, can see the beautiful handcrafted work that he offers. “My work is contemporary, but not modern. It has the ability to look good in any surrounding.” Like all fine craftsman, he only uses traditional joinery methods, such a mortise and tenon and dovetails; doing as much of the work as possible, by hand, including layer upon layer of hand-rubbed oil finishes.

For more information on Chip Gadek, or to see some of his incredible art furniture, visit either of our Gallery Fifty locations: 321 East Front Street; 231-946-0610 or 800 Cottageview Drive; 231-932-0775, Traverse City, Michigan.

Here are some examples of the kinds of work that have already sold. Ask about a commission.

Time for fine design and craftsmanship

Traverse City woodworker Joe Stearns has been designing and building furniture more than 20 years. With formal training in architecture, he's studied with several woodworking mentors. Most important, though, is his passionate interest in all aspects of fine woodworking and design which he's studied as a full-time occupation since 1999.

Joe gives equal emphasis to craftsmanship, design and selection of the finest materials available. His finished works are characterized by an uncluttered, organic flow of lines and shapes. His designs are intended to transcend the dictates of any particular school or style and to be intrinsically appealing on the strength of their roots in time-honored principles of form and proportion.

We're currently carrying five different styles of Joe's clocks including the "Open Frame Oval" shown above. These unique clocks are his latest designs. He uses the finest quartz-movement clockworks and sculpts each one by hand from a variety of beautiful wood combinations. They can be fitted with alarm clocks for your bedroom or displayed as art pieces on on your wall, shelf or mantle.

This one is cherry and wenge, $245. Call Gallery Fifty for more information: 231-932-0775.

Get on 'board' with these popular gifts

Michigan wood craftsman Matt Joppich creates these one-of-a-kind cutting boards from his furniture making scrap. Constructed of local hardwoods, the sizes range from 7.5" x 5" up to 15" x 10". The small boards make excellent gifts for the barteder or boat owner. Prices are $18 - $55. Call Gallery Fifty for our current selection: 231-932-0775.

A little fantastic, a little odd

"In this technological age, I find that people respond to objects that are gentle, and that carry a human touch — objects that connect them to the heart and spirit of the maker," says Oregon artist Christian Burchard.

He creates these incredible wood 'baskets' by turning Pacific Madrone Burl while it's still green. This wood has a wide range of colors and textures, and cracks, warps or hardens as it dries.The paper-thin pieces are then bleached, sandblasted or burned to add dramatic surface effects.

Gallery Fifty has a great selection of baskets ranging from 2.5" - 5" in diameter, and we offer both golden and red finishes. Prices are $40 - $115 each.

"My objects attempt to tell a story. They act as metaphors. A little fantastic, a little odd," he says.

A deep respect for craftsmanship

Wisconsin artist Thomas Cabezas has been designing and building unique quality furniture and boxes since 1991. With a background in sculpture and a deep respect for craftsmanship and detail, he strives to create work that does not attempt to place form over function or function over form.

"The right piece should be viewed as a balance of function and form." Thomas puts this philosophy and more into each work that he designs and builds, from an eleborate jewelry box to a custom designed furniture piece.

Looking for a great 'guy gift?' They love Thomas' little wood boxes. Each measures 3.5” X 4.5” X 4.5” and are available in an assortment or hardwoods with black knobs; $66 each.

Or, if you're looking for a jewelry/keepsake box as special as its contents, consider the Rising Sun Box. It measures 8" X 13" X 8" and is constructed of Curly Maple and assorted exotic hardwoods; $540.

Call Gallery Fifty for our current selection of Thomas' boxes: 231-932-0775.

Asian Simplicity meets American Craftsmanship

Working out of a nineteenth century mill, Rhode Island woodworker Thomas Davin utilizes the beauty of his surroundings to create objects that are simple yet elegant in design. His woodcrafts are both serviceable and handsome and with minimal care, they can be appreciated for years to come. The hallmark of Thomas' work is its combination of artistic expression and utilitarian design.

We love his sushi boards and chopsticks. They are popular wedding gifts and everyone likes the multi-function of the chopstick holder — it also serves as a rest while they're in use. Boards are $85 and maple chopsticks sets with cocobolo holders are $20 each.

We also carry jewelry stands, cutting boards and magnifying glasses by Thomas. Call Gallery Fifty for more information: 231-932-0775.