Caliper Chair

Steve Blanton is from western North Carolina and a graduate of Haywood Community College's Professional Crafts program. Stephen grew up knowing his way around his father’s workshop and quickly realized that his life’s work would be based around using his hands and the skill set that he would eventually acquire. Having a good base of skills, he began working in a cabinet shop at the age of seventeen, within a few years he was creating furniture for the interior of his own home. Wanting to expand his knowledge and understand the traditions unique to this region he enrolled at Haywood Community College. Stephen works with the mediums of wood and metal at Wooden Steel Studio in Waynesville, NC where he feels incredibly fortunate to be the fourth generation to occupy the studio space.

My priority as a woodworker is to produce handcrafted functional furniture that will last generations. While producing this furniture I hope to educate my community in the importance of having handcrafted goods and the traditions that are deeply rooted in this region. While focusing on new designs of traditional origins I strive to make each piece out of of sustainably harvested local hardwood lumber. That way each customer can enjoy quality craftsmanship while not worrying about the impacts of deforestation. I want to be able to teach people an appreciation for our forests and the potential that it holds to create art while staying within the confines of my craft.