“Not all young designers are as experimental with traditional materials. For many, the emphasis on environment has led to a reexamination of the less eco-impacting past. Studio Dunn, winner of this year’s Editor’s Choice award for New Designer [...] All of the designs are manufactured in the good ol’ US of A by artisans in their native state of Rhode Island (this local pride also informs the name of each piece). Studio Dunn’s design sense references the hand-crafted nature of mid-century modern classics like Haywood Wakefield while also tapping into contemporary collective desires to be equal parts environmentally and aesthetically conscious.”

Posted by Asher on May 27th, 2010

Keeseh Studio introduces the launch of Studio Dunn. Studio Dunn grew out of Keeseh Studio, whose members play an important role in the development of Studio Dunn’s works. Studio Dunn announced today the launch of its first collection of contemporary furnishings accompanied by the unveiling of its website www.studiodunn.com.

The designs are created by a network of local designers, artisans, and manufacturers in and around Rhode Island. Focusing on the use of classic materials including wood, metal, glass, and ceramics, the studio uses experimental processes to create innovative designs.
Studio Dunn is exhibiting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, May 15-18, 2010.

Posted by Asher on May 5th, 2010

New Harvest Coffee Roasters approached us a couple of weeks ago to build them a display for retailing their fine coffees. Jamison and I worked together with the folks at New Harvest to develop this design. The display is made from 100% reclaimed wood. The wood is sourced from pallets that New Harvest receives their coffee beans on.

Posted by Asher on April 26th, 2010

Intro to Woodshop Hand Tools
Length: 6 classes, 2.5 hours each, Price: $225+$30 Material Fee, Instructor: John Pietrella, Time: Tuesdays, 7pm – 930pm Dates: June 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13

Intro to Woodshop Machinery
Length: 8 classes, 2.5 hours each, Price: $295+$20 Material Fee, Instructor: Lauren Lake, Time: Sundays, 630pm – 9pm Dates: June 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15

We Build What We Eat
Length: 9 classes, 2.5 hours each, Price: $295+$30 Material Fee, Instructor: Steven Butler, Time: Wednesday, 7pm – 9pm Dates: June 16, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18

Table Manners
Length: 9 classes, 2.5 hours each, Price: $295+$30 Material Fee, Instructor: Steven Butler, Time: Mondays, 7pm – 9pm Dates: June 17, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19

Jump Start Woodworking
Length: 1 class, 4 hours, Price: $75, Instructor: Asher Dunn, Session 1: Saturday, 1pm – 5pm Date: June 26, Session 2: Saturday, 1pm – 5pm Date: July 24

Electric Guitar Building
Length: 6 classes, 2.5 hours each, Price: $225+$160 Material Fee, Instructor: Nick Holcomb, Time: Mondays, 630pm – 9pm Dates: June 28, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9

Wood Turning
Students are required to take one of these beginner workshops before taking the next level Bowl Turning workshops in the Fall.
Spinning Top - Instructor: Wayne Collins, Time: Saturday, 10am – 1pm, Dates: June 19, Price: $75
Bottle Stopper - Instructor: Wayne Collins, Time: Saturday, 10am – 1pm, Dates: July 17, Price: $75
Honey Dipper - Instructor: Wayne Collins, Time: Tuesday, 6pm – 9pm, Dates: July 20, Price: $75
Spatula - Instructor: Wayne Collins, Time: Monday, 6pm – 9pm, Dates: August 23, Price: $75

Digital Fabrication
Length: 7 classes, 2 hours each, Price:$295+$30 Material Fee, Instructor: Asher Dunn
Time: Fridays, 7pm – 9pm Dates: June 18, 25, July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6

Posted by Asher on April 23th, 2010

You may have met Sean Bagge last year at the Maker’s Fair where he exhibited the submarine that he engineered and built (image below)… well he’s just completed another unique project. Using a combination of tradition processes and modern machines, Sean has spent the last few months building an Egyptian chariot.

He started by studying images of chariots excavated from archeological digs. Sean then applied his training as a mechanical engineer to figure out ways to bend solid hardwood into extreme curves. Using raw hide and leather strips he bound the elements together and created a fully working chariot. In writing it sounds so simple though it was a very labor intensive process.

If you’re lucky you may spot Sean riding the chariot on Thayer later this week. He will be taking part in a mock Egyptian battle that is being held at Brown University.

Egyptian Chariot from Keeseh on Vimeo.

Posted by Asher on April 18th, 2010