Artisan Designs

The New Urban Mobile Backyard Chicken Coop

2009-06-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the new design for the Urban Mobile Backyard Chicken Coop.

Watch the video for a demonstration (sorry for the poor sound quality, I don't really have a lisp)

For more info, email me at artisandesignsdtb@gmail.com

The Conservation Series

2009-04-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

I walk into a kind of DaDa landscape - There's a wall of water held back by a dam. Along the banks of the river lays once constructed materials. These bricks and broken slate lay in disarray along the shore. Fire destroyed the factory. It now lays dormant on the shore. The kinetic force of the water entangle everything leaving a natural pattern of colors and hues of earth tones.

I collect these materials and use them to create jewelry and I collect bricks to tile our driveway. The beauty of this landscape is amazing. I feel the weight of history in this place.

By salvaging this material I am in fact cleaning the river. It's hard to imagine these sandy banks empty of bricks for they lay in the thousands - I think it's a good dream to have.

I form the slate into geometric shapes which then hang around the neckline to compliment these stones with a human form. I'm calling this work The Conservation Series.

They are for sale in my etsy shop. Enjoy!

The Roll Wardrobe

2009-01-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick look at my latest project

The Urban Chicken Coop

2008-05-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

My new and improved version of my portable chicken coop was available for viewing today at the Greenfield Farmers Market. There is a buzz going around, not only with the people who witnessed the amazing construction of the Coop, but also with some people who have heard about its existence through the grapevine. So, upon request, I am posting some photos here and a quick video demonstration. Unfortunately, the photos are of last years model, so keep in mind that the newer model (in the video), that you can place an order for, is new and improved.

Below you can watch a video of the new and improved chicken coop. There are no chickens in this coop, but you can witness how each aspect works and see the great improvements on my design. Enjoy!

Scroll down for more photos of the older model, featuring our very own egg laying chickens!

The Coop can comfortably fit 6 chickens (which is the exact amount that the Greenfield Farmers Exchange has as minimum for a single order of chicks) We did have 6,

but one passed away the first night we bought our chicks.

We have the happiest chickens on the block (and

probably the ONLY chickens on the block... that is until our neighbors purchase one of the Coops!)

What you will find new in this model is that the door to access the hen house is hugely improved upon. An annoying aspect of our coop is the the door does not stay open on its own (hence the metal piece propping it open) The newest model has a door that will stay open on its own.

Another new feature is the door to access the feed and the water opens the opposite way. On our own coop, this was an afterthought, therefore it is not perfect. You can be assured that the quality and the refined features of the newest model work (and look) 100% better

Both doors have hook an eye loops that can be locked to keep predators out.

Here you can see the waste tray pulled out part way. The three hinged flaps flip up in order for the tray to be removed and for the coop to become mobile. The hinged flaps as well as the waste tray, when pushed in and flipped down, also keep rodents and predators away from your precious hens.

Here you see a picture of me closing the sliding door, which is located at the front of the henhouse. The door closes with a friction seal, making it impossible for any animal to access the hens through the door. Since the hens naturally want to roost when it gets dark (you can see the inside of the house with the roost perch below) I can close them all in at night.

Here you can see the inside of the house. A difference in the new model is that the egg boxes are positioned in the back of the hen house, with a slight backwards tilt, making for easy access to the eggs.

Again, a photo of the inside. With 5 chickens, we average on about 3-4 eggs a day, much more than we can eat (the dog gets some of them, too) A happy chicken is an egg laying chicken!

The last and most important feature, it's portable! The coop is rests on recycled lawnmower wheels and has two metal handles for lifting. Like I said before, the chickens naturally roost at night. The process of cleaning the coop is relatively easy. I close the chickens in their house the previous night. In the morning, before I let them out, I flip the hinged flaps up on all three sides and remove the waste tray. I move them to their new destination along our back fence. I then let them out, they immediately begin scratching and digging for insects. I then feed and water them, then I continue to rake and clean the area where they had previously been.

I am available for orders now. Please allow 2 weeks for production. I can deliver locally for an extra cost (ugh, gas prices!) Send me an email at artisandesignsdtb(@)gmail.com.

Thanks for your interest, we love our chickens and we know you will love to have chickens too!

Darryl and Carrie

Serious Woodworking...

2008-05-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when a fine woodworker, his dog, and a digital camera work all day together in a small shop...

p.s. no cute dogs were injured in the making of this video

If anyone is in Vermont this weekend...

2008-05-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

We will be at the Wilmington Vt Flea Market for a weekend of crafts and fun! Please come by our booth and check out our work. My fiancee will be there with me, she will have beautiful handbags, jewelry and accessories.

I will also have a new product in my shop, I have featured one for about a week now. I am designing and making wooden combs. They have been a big hit so far with family and friends, check it out.

Walnut Comb :: $15

A little late....

2008-05-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

(These are a little bit late, I know I said last Sunday, life gets crazy!)

New coasters in the shop!! There are only two sets right now, get them while they are available! More to come soon!

wood coasters :: walnut, mahogany, maple :: $22

2008-05-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

Greenfield Farmers Market, Greenfield MA

We will be at the Greenfield Farmers Market this Saturday, just in time for Mother's Day! This is our first craft fair type setting, we have a ton of work to get done before we are even near to ready! So, that means that the listing of the newest coasters will have to wait until late Sunday... hang in there!

The Coasters have SOLD OUT!!!

2008-05-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

but not to worry. There will be more available at the end of this week!

In other news...

I have added a new jewelry box to the shop. It is slightly smaller that the large jewelry boxes but the same design.

Catalpa and Mahogany : Small Jewelry Box : $35

Once Again...

2008-04-30T16:51:00.001-07:00

I was on my morning walk, with my dog Calie of course, and the slogan "dip, dollop, spread!" came into my mind. I thought it was fun, and life is too short to be too serious. The spread knife collection only uses scrap material and a local shop where I sell my goods suggested I make these knives. I figured, I have nothing to lose.

Each knife is unique, hand finished and would put the final touch on your crackers and dip!

They are now available in my Esty shop.

The Walk

2008-04-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Almost every morning, if life isn't to hectic, I take my dog for a walk. I walk along a canal on a nice bike path. It's an interesting play of industry and nature - water moves along to a hydro electric plant, power surges through the large stands of cables and mechanisms, inspiration for me comes from the rhythm and sights along the way. My favorite bird song resonates as I walk, my dog smiles and so do I. The redwing black birds fly by, unconcerned as I pull a piece of paper from inside my pocket to jot down new inspiration.

This is how it comes, freely like the morning. It happens and it moves me.

The Industrial Jewelry Series Available now in my Etsy Shop

Etsy Treasury

2008-02-26T09:29:00.000-08:00

After waiting for what seemed to be a VERY long time, I was finally able to make my own Etsy Treasury. Of course I made it compliment my items, title is Inspired by Nature, and had a ton of fun making it. Here is a screen shot of my curated show, but please go visit it, leave a comment and enjoy all of the beautiful handmade/vintage items that I love (well, also that my fiance would love, I don't know if I would wear the scarf... or the yellow dress!)

Cutting Boards Are Now Available!

2008-02-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

After a long time working in my shop, the boards are finished and ready to be purchased. I have been making furniture, jewelry boxes and building kitchens for a long time now, but I feel as though my design has evolved and has been refined. Each cutting board is unique, finished with mineral oil for protection and then hand rubbed with organic natural beeswax. Please head over to my Etsy shop to enjoy more photos and purchase your favorite design before it's gone!