RECOVERY

About six weeks ago I had serious back injury. Couldn't walk, paint, or drive. Basic movements like sitting would cause my torn lumbar muscles to spasm violently, pinching spinal nerves. The pain was beyond excruciating; I would literally fall to the ground screaming during the 20 second muscle-cramp-of-death episodes. It was probably my most painful experience, and I've been hit by a car, broken several bones, and sat through Jack and Jill.

Although there's still another month of healing and physical therapy, I'm slowly getting back to work this week. The thick, disorienting fog of pain and medication has finally been lifted.

UPDATE

It's come to my attention that several emails and calls have gone unanswered. That is awful and frustrating, and I sincerely apologize to anyone that reached out and received no response. I was in no state to form cohesive words, which would have been fine because emails were someone else's job. Unfortunately in my absence and for some time before, that job was apparently not getting done. Well, like they say, if you want something done right...

Until a new manager is hired, I will be handling all the things.

Have questions? Feel like chatting about art? Want pictures of Tonto (my cat)?

Here's my number: 541.868.4252 Please feel free to text literally any time (it's tough to answer calls while covered in paint or sleeping). The "contact us" now goes to my email address, too (though texting is always faster).

I was overwhelmed with a ton of orders earlier this year, and it's been constant every month since. I suppose errors were bound to happen. Apparently, some orders were marked as shipped in the system but didn't actually go out. I'll be going through each order number to cross check the status with tracking and inventory.

I started cleaning the studio and found finished pieces that should have gone out a while ago, before my injury. Since I'm handling shipping now, organization is key! I moved inventory into the office where it's safe from dust and easy to track. Most of these pieces are shipping out this week, so keep an eye out.

A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE

It's been so busy, I haven't posted new work on social media or the website. Posting a new piece could result in a large influx of orders, and reducing wait time has been a priority. Yea, it's a problem, a good one to have - but a problem nonetheless. Part of the solution: move to a bigger studio and upgrade the woodworking equipment, make production more efficient.

Earlier this summer I moved everything into a new studio and started building counters, paint stations, tables, exhaust systems, shelves, and all the things to make all the things. Actually got quite a bit done before I hurt my back.

Here's what I've been making: