Why “TouchWood”?
All my life I’ve felt compelled to literally touch wood, not as a means of continuing good luck or avoiding bad but because I’m drawn by its spiritual energy and natural beauty. The creative process of woodworking connects me to something greater than myself. I hope those who purchase one of my boxes or other handmade items derive as much joy in owning it as I did in making it.
Although self taught, I've been woodworking in some form or another for most of my life and have learned from more mistakes than I care to remember. Hopefully it's true that experience is the best teacher.....
Creative Process
In designing a jewelry box, keepsake box or other item my usual goal is to create functional art. In nature much of what we might consider beautiful has evolved to address a functional need. So hey, why mess with mother nature? I typically begin with a general notion of what I want to create, it's general dimensions and the wood species I want to use. But at that point I often just "follow the wood" and let the final form and shape evolve as I go. For better or worse this means that most everything I make is one of a kind.....
Charlie Ritrovato