FIVE: Woodwork by BROOKE WADE

Visit BROOKE WADE's gorgeous site to browse collections, learn about her process, and to snag the last few lovely things that aren't already sold out!

Are there any specific philosophies that are important to you or your work?

Yes. I believe that sustainability is a primary concern for our immediate future. In creating any business, I knew that promoting recycling, little-to-zero waste, and conscious consumption needed to be a foundational part. BROOKE WADE is a realization of that, a line of handmade wooden homewares crafted only from found, foraged, and reclaimed wood.

From a product standpoint, BROOKE WADE embodies investment in organic, waste-free materials, and the conscious choice to purchase one beautiful, expertly made thing and keep it for a lifetime of use. From a brand standpoint, I really want to celebrate authenticity, boldness, and urban life. Rather than promoting a false, escapist world of "simple" living in rustic, woodsy locales, the brand embraces the built-in sustainability of urban living—walking, cycling, riding the train, living in small spaces close to other people, choosing to have less.

FOUR: Woodwork by BROOKE WADE

 

Extra Large Twig Spoon

This walnut mixing spoon has an extra long handle and a faceted bowl. The end of the handle resembles a twig from the forest floor. Two in stock.*

Walnut Raindrop Spoon

This mixing spoon has a strong, straight grain and a delicate raindrop detail at the end of the handle. Made from fragment walnut gathered in Brooklyn*

 Where do you get the materials you use (if relevant).

From all across the country! Reclaimed materials with history are super important to me, and so I make a point to travel to interesting places and meet people who have a special connection to some wood. My most recent excursion was to Down East Maine, where I stayed in a house built by a local family. The wife/mother is a professor in environmental studies, and the husband/father builds boats and timber-frame homes when he’s not fishing salmon in Alaska from June-August. After my visit, they sent me home with some wonderful pieces like sustainably harvested boat-building silverballi, and ribs of teak from the hull of Betsy, the WWII era boat that they lived on for six years.

What is something interesting special no one would know about your goods just by looking at them?

The origin stories that are inherent in every piece! If anyone is curious about the wood that became their serving board or spoon, they should check out the “Collections” page on my website or my blog. I try to tell many the stories there.

THREE: Woodwork by BROOKE WADE

Mahogany Board with Handle

The grain on this mahogany board actually sparkles. With a 11 3/4 inch diameter it's big enough to serve a birthday cake. Made from reclaimed mahogany gathered in Brooklyn.*

Oak Brie Boards and Knives

Up your brie game with a brie board and knife. One set has a butcher-style knife blade and and crazy-colorful grain on the board. The other set has a brie-style blade with three holes for easy slicing, and a clean, straight grain pattern on the board.*

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Briefly describe your process. How do you do what you do?

I know that woodworking is great work for me because I frequently find myself in a state of flow. When I’m working on a familiar design, I can lose myself in my work and go through a project step by step without looking up. My family and friends freak out because I can forget that I even have a phone! If I set up a perfect workstation for maximum efficiency, and put on silky music like HOMESHAKE and Camera Obscura, I’m able to get there usually.

What makes your process unique?

Wood can be a variable material, and on top of that, I only use found, fragment or reclaimed wood. So frequently when I’m in the shop, I’m either riffing on a basic design, or designing as I go to specifically suit that piece of wood. So sometimes it feels like each time I create is unique. Copious amounts of delicious, french pressed coffee are also integral to my process.

TWO: Woodwork by BROOKE WADE

Maple Board with Live Edge

This maple board has a large handle for holding and hanging. It has a unique live edge detail visible on both front and back. Made from fragment maple gathered in Brooklyn.*

Measures 19 1/2 X 5 3/4 inches at widest.

*allergy note, finished with walnut oil. 

1. What is your current city and neighborhood? Where did you grow up?

I was born in southwestern Michigan, where I spent my first ten years. It was great being a kid in a rural area. I had so much independence at such a young age. Also my mom worked as a health care provider for migrant farmworkers, so I really understood where my food came from which I think was a very special gift. I spent my next ten years in Cincinnati, an awesome city of which I know every nook and cranny. My current home is New York City,  in the baddest borough, Brooklyn, and the baddest neighborhood, Williamsburg! Happy to be spending this decade as a Brooklynite.

2. How did you get into this type of production? What made you interested in it?

I was an English major in college, and after graduation, I didn’t have an obvious “career direction.” After few subsequent office jobs left me clammy and disillusioned, in a frenzy I decided that I was going to work for this furniture company that I had read an article about once. It was called Brooklyn Farm Table, and they made gorgeous, hulking farm tables exclusively from wood salvaged from the five boroughs. The thought that the wood of a table could have a fascinating life and story for a hundred years, and then become an essential part of a family’s life and story for another hundred really attracted me. I searched out the founder, and though the company had folded after Hurricane Sandy destroyed their shop and tools, he introduced me to some great people that landed me squarely in the woodworking world. Not many people know this about me, but before I decided to go to college, I was a professional ballet dancer. While it may seem like a complete 180 to go from ballet to woodworking, I actually think it's been a pretty natural transition. I really enjoy work that requires the body and mind to be active and in sync, and contains a level of artistry. Both ballet and woodworking demand this.