Dwyer Wood

I studied Fine Woodworking at Selkirk College in Nelson, British Columbia. I have a full workshop in my home where I build furniture and other things out of wood. I have been committed to using wood sourced exclusively from North American trees, or locally salvaged wood, since I began making furniture. This is both because of the deforestation and poaching associated with exotics and, just as importantly, because North American trees are as beautiful and wonderful to work with as any foreign wood. Say yes to: Cherry, Ash, Oak, Maple, Birch, Walnut, Pine, Cedar, Douglas Fir. Say no to: Mahogany (South and Central America), Teak (Asia, Africa, Caribbean), Cocobolo (Central America), Ebony (India), Bubinga (Africa), Purpleheart (South and Central America), Padauk (Africa)

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Excited to have been asked to participate in this show. I have expanded on my “Utility Cabinet” concept to make it a series of beautiful homes for utilitarian objects: SWAT. SWEEP. SHINE. Pics to follow. 

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SWATs done and ready to ship off to Yard Dog Studios in Winnipeg. They always look fun in a group photo. #swatcabinets

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Shop is finally all set up. New bandsaw back there. Making SWAT cabinets for a gallery out in Winnipeg. Have I mentioned how much I love having a wood stove in my shop? #woodworking

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Purple Poplar! Love this stuff.

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Insane maple burl at Halifax Specialty Hardwoods.

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I love the way the sunlight slips through the willow and dapples the seat. #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel

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Finished the willow chair. The piece is called "Unbroken By Nature" because the willow gives the rickety old "garbage" chair structure and strength through its embrace. #gladstonehotel #GrowOp2016

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(via Tracking trees: How one Amazon Indigenous community is using tech to fight illegal logging | Greenpeace UK)

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Almost done the willow chair. My fingers are like little prunes from working with the wet willow for hours. Time for a little treat by the fire, Apple Brandy from @ironworksdistillery #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel

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Working on the weaving the chair back into the sides of the "pod" for extra strength. GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel @gladstonehotel

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Giving the willow a "pod" shape requires tying the top and sides into the correct form while the willow is wet. The end result will be that the person sits on a man made chair yet is embraced by nature. The strength of the willow also "rescues" the chair from becoming garbage. The concept is called Unbroken By Nature. #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel @gladstonehotel

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The main willow rods are in place, anchored behind the chair rails and the weaving begins. I'm using the "willow" filter for these posts as it seems appropriate. #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel @gladstonehotel

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One of my concepts has been selected as part of #GrowOp2016 at The Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. Ever since I took the willow basket weaving course, I've envisioned weaving it onto an old, rickety chair as quite often the form of the chair, with rails and back, is the perfect 3D frame for weaving. I submitted the concept of taking an old chair, that I found in the garbage, and giving it renewed strength by weaving willow around it. Step one, soak the willow to make it pliable. Actually, step one, build a trough because the willow was too big for my bathtub, not to mention that it has to soak for a week and there simply isn't enough room in the tub for me and five bundles of willow. @gladstonehotel #gladstonehotel

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#Lunenburg is ridiculously photogenic. It's nice to see all the little shops and restaurants painting and doing repairs as they get ready to open for the season.

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Whisky and I were a couple of tourists in #Lunenburg today. I never ever seem to hit the Dory Shop when it's open. Such lovely wooden structures in this town.

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I got these beautiful carved doorknobs in the mail today from some lovely friends over in the UK. Thanks so much @ruthclaire and Rachel! I love them and can't wait to install them. They are beautiful and have such a lovely tactile feel in the hand. Miss you both.

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These two. I'd like to think it's love and not that I refuse to turn the heat up. #dogandcatlove