Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
I am a studio furniture maker in Santa Barbara, California and my design style is influenced by Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e painting. My furniture can be considered functional sculpture and is primarily made with North American hardwoods (walnut, cherry, maple, and hickory). Most of my work is commissioned, but I do have a few pieces available for immediate sale. A number of my pieces feature a live-edge (natural edge). The live edge work is more refined and elegant than what is normally encountered.
When people decide to work with me, they have made a choice to not just simply buy a piece of furniture. The process involves relationship. When a fine maker creates a furniture piece, something of their spirit is imbued in that piece. This maker is also preserving and enhancing the spirit of the tree and its roots in the soil. The client is choosing to live with that vision and spirit for many years and the client should be able to look at the piece every day with a smile. A client works with me not simply because the furniture piece fills a need or is the right price. They choose one of my pieces because of the nature of the relationships involved between the tree, maker, and client.
My work has been featured multiple times with American Craft Council shows, the Philadelphia Museum of Art craft show, and the Smithsonian craft show. The work exists at the upper end of studio furniture in this country and is priced commensurately.
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8 products
What people are saying
- L
Laura
For Live Edge Dining Table5.0John Spivey is master craftsman who provides gracious customer service. He was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Very communicative and eager to please. Responsive to my design interests but also providing his design expertise. He sent pics of the table along the way and personally delivered and assembled the table in my home showing great care and attentiveness to every detail. I would recommend him highly and wouldn't hesitate to work with him again!
- SS
Susan Swannack-Nunn
For Nakashima-Inspired Conoid Chair5.0Craftsmanship superb, communications clear, timely execution. Beautiful artistic chair which works well in modern or traditional/eclectic decor.
- MH
Mary Helen Immordino
For Live Edge Coffee Table4.8The tables were a major project that we had saved for for some time, and they turned out beautifully! John worked with us during each step to decide how to make something aesthetic and timeless that would fit our tastes and needs. Thank you, John!
- CR
Corey Raffel
For Natural Edge Writing Table / Desk5.0I am very satisfied with the desk made for me by John Spivey. John was very easy to work with. We had a rapid exchange of information regarding what I wanted and what he could do. He was careful to be sure that all questions and issues were answered prior to starting, which assured that the desk would be just what I wanted. I had an unusual problem with the office for the desk being located up a narrow flight of stairs. John was able to solve this issue by making the desk in pieces that could then be assembled once the desk was in the final location. He also gave me some extra finish for the desk, should it ever be needed. I have no hesitation in asking John to do another project for me.
- AV
Armando Valdes-Kennedy
For Bedroom Deresser4.7The furniture piece John hand built for me is beautiful and original. The quality and craftsmanship is top notch. I am looking at it right now- it is a captivating sculpture in wood. I designed it, John added his own signature style and details, the result is an enduring functional artwork.
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