DESIGN: BEAUTY, FORM, AND FUNCTION



I believe that things that are useful should also be beautiful. Curves and fine details that appear more and more as you look at them are the hallmarks of craftsmanship, and make whatever they're featured on stand out from the rest.

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QUALITY: TRADITION, MATERIALS, AND PRIDE



Woodworkers have been using dovetails, finger joints, mortise-and-tenons, bridles, and a number of other joints to put together two or more pieces of wood for centuries. Tried and true, these are the best ways to do this in most situations.



The materials used, however, have changed in recent years. Very little do we purchase things made of real, solid wood anymore.

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In some cases, this is an improvement, such as the use of cabinet and furniture-grade plywood panels which are stronger than solid wood.

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In others, the change isn't an improvement, such as the widespread use of pressboard, waferboard, and cast-aluminum fasteners, like the ones found in the desks and bookshelves purchased at your local big box store.



to accommodate for the different materials, both good and bad, new joinery techniques have developed. For plywood casing, the use of rabbeting and dadoing have been useful, and the pocket screw has truly changed how to assemble plywood cases.



As a matter of pride, I never use pressboard and waferboard in any final product, and when I use plywood, I always use as much tradition as possible, including dadoes and rabbets, and use pocket screws where applicable.



When using solid wood, hand-cut joinery such as mortises and dovetails take as much of the spotlight as possible.

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BUILT TO LAST



I don't make furniture, tools, toys, games, and decor to last ten years; big box stores sell those things. I make things that will outlive you, and with luck, outlive your kids and maybe even grandkids. The things I make in my shop, I make for posterity; for you and yours to enjoy for generations to come.



OUT WITH THE ORDINARY


Decades ago, Proctor & Gamble had a safe, perfectly marketable idea: Average products for average people.



There was a flaw in this idea: There is no such thing as an average person. Through the miracle of modern social media, we have all learned that no one is the "classic" two-dimensional "average"; everyone is unique, with their own tastes, ideas, and personally-held values.



I don't set out to make things for the average person; I set out to make things for you. I have a fair amount of products that I have already designed and made, but the reality is that I am here to suit your needs. You like the idea of a hanging bookshelf, but want something slightly different? We can work together on a design. You like the small cabinet, but want one or more of the details different, built to suit your needs? We can absolutely work on that. Even if you want something like nothing I have currently for sale, we can work together on a design that works for you.



I don't make average products for average people; I make high-quality products for you.

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WHAT IS THE STRIZEK NINE-MUSE STUDIOS?


The Strizek Nine-Muse Studios is an ambitious project by Thom Strizek, designed to encompass all varieties of creativity. We are always looking for artists and artisans of all stripes and walks to join us and help create a community of creativity.



Whether you're a painter, sketch artist, photographer, writer, sculptor, metalworker, woodworker, designer, engineer, musician, specialize in editing video or sound, graphic design, or even do seemingly simple things like arranging flowers, you have a place here, as long as you care about quality, and don't settle for second-best.



Thus far, the Strizek Workshop is the only branch of the Nine-Muse Studios, but there is always room for more. If you're interested in being a part of this project, contact Thom Strizek to learn more.