Greetings readers, my name is Matt. I’ve been a builder, designer and tinkerer for some time now, and I figure it’s about time I start a record of some of my projects. This way, I can share some ideas, maybe get some ideas from you, and we can discuss building things and projects and stuff we all (hopefully you) like.
Wood&Faulk is my chosen moniker, and it comes from Woodrow and Faulkner – two streets that I lived on during my later time in Kansas. Back then, I learned so much about working on old houses, building furniture, plumbing, electrical, working on cars, wood projects, metal projects and more. I felt like I should honor those earlier years.
Most amazing thanks go to my friend and developer Erin Seale for the programming on this project, and to the brilliant photographer, Lisa Warninger, for some excellent photo contributions.
I’ll be updating posts and features via Twitter, and now facebook, so follow me if you’re inclined. Also, if you have questions or comments, feel free to drop me a note with mmp [at] woodandfaulk [dot] com.
Can’t wait! Looking great.
Love it!
Looks good! Can’t wait to see the Shop get up and running.
Great blog! I’m looking forward to more. Thanks!
Dang, your blog is absolutely gorgeous. I love the simple styling. I feel like I’m reading a magazine not a blog. Keep em’ coming. Excited to see more.
Hi Matt;
I like your site very crisp. You light like this site for inspiration: http://www.pietheineek.nl it might be in Dutch (it’s not a blog by the way) but I think it might be right up your alley. Good luck; Simone
Lots of great inspiration for sure, thanks for the link!
You’re live! I had to learn it from anna at doorsixteen. Congrats, it all looks great!
Thanks everyone! I’m happy you’re enjoying things so far!
Yay! Congrats on the new blog, Matt. I love the stuff you’ve shared on it already.
Looks great! Bookmarked!
I am so happy this is here.
Lovely site- Can’t wait to see your projects!!
Added to Feedly? Check. Eagerly waiting for next post? Hell yes!
Hi Matt,
Great site and great projects! I’m doing something similar with my blog (http://squaretotheworld.blogspot.com/) and I’m also in Portland. How about getting together for a coffee and talking about projects?
-Brennan
Hey Brennan, looks like you’re doing some great projects! Yeah, we should definitely grap a cup and chat sometime – Always interested in shop talk. Try me at mmp[at]woodandfaulk.com
Fantastic self portrait Matt! Can’t wait to follow all the projects you do.
Great looking blog Matt, It’s been added to my list.
I’m a graphic designer and woodworker as well and look forward to seeing new things from you. Good Luck!
Wonderful content, keep ‘em coming!
Totally diggin’ on your site!!! Bookmarked!
Great blog. Who makes your sportscoat in the self-portrait? Would love to see more offers like the belt making.
Thanks, Ferme. My jacket was from friends of mine – Duchess Clothier.
Just added you to my Google Reader feed!
ps- Found out about you via http://thescoutmag.com/blog/good/1008/woodfaulk
Nice! I hadn’t seen that mention yet!
Don’t know how I ended up here, but I certanely don’t regret it! Added you to my Google Reader and I’m looking forward to new posts
Rock on,
Mike
I appreciate you sharing your projects. It’s amazing how the mind gets to workin’ as you see other projects people work on. I look forward to keeping an eye on your projects. Your site looks great. Very well done.
Matt,
Any significance to the 901 number on the glass of the door?
Greg
Hey Greg, it was a reference to the Eames’ studio address.
I have never felt the need to throw this out to a blogger before, but… I think I love you!! Keep up the great work.
Thanks Sarah! This one’s for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fb8XbpWMM
That seals the deal. True love.
Love your blog. Put a smile on my face ….merci
Matt,
I love what you’ve designed and created. My wife, (Jocelyn) and I will be opening a store in North Portland by late spring. The store will primarily be one of kind furniture, unique vintage pieces, items by local makers, and various mediums of local fine art. The idea is to tell our narratives, for ex. how an industrial table base with a reclaimed barn wood top is sourced, built, and by whom. We’d like to talk if your interested in finding out more and partnering in what ever way makes sense. No matter what, nice work Matt!
warmly
Robert
beam & anchor
robertrahmpdx@gmail.com
Thanks Robert. Very exciting about your new store, definitely sounds like a place I’d want to check out!
Hi Matt,
I just came across your blog and website a few weeks ago. I love what you’re doing! It’s very inspiring and it’s motivating me to turn my basement into a creative workspace/studio. The photography is great too.
+K
Hi Matt. I love all the items you’ve created including the leather and wood stool featured on Design Sponge today. Your creations are beautiful and simple in form but of great quality. I really like your belts especially in a dark brown leather. Will they ever be available for purchase? Please keep me on your email list for new products if possible. Thanks.
Thanks Michele! Not sure if the belts will ever be retailed… but maybe? I’ll send out a bulletin if they are!
Great Job. love your work.
love it Matt…
hello and respect from indonesia…
http://calpon.blogspot.com/
Immediately impressed with your work, especially leather-working. Beautiful – keep it up.
Matt-
Congratulations on the new endeavor, Crisp, clean, stylish and smart, as usual.
All the best,
Josh
Hey, thanks Josh. Hope you’re doing well.
I really like the webside!
Congratulations from Barcelona.
Cheers!
kenneth
Hi I am an industrial designer from Malaysia and I really like this!
A friend of mine sent me the link to your site and I am in love with it-not you, don’t worry. I am happily married to a man…
I really like the style of the blog, the photography and the projects you choose. I appreciate anyone that can do things for themselves-the ol DIY type of person. That’s the kind of gal I am. We’ve remodeled several houses, build crap all the time and love to create. And I’m from Manhattan, KS-so there seems to be that Kansan connection going on here. I don’t meet many people from Kansas, so my ears always perk up when I see/read that.
I just did a tutorial on my DIY Spinning Composter, and even shot a video for it. Here’s the link to that, in case you get bored sometime or want to check in on another Kansan and make sure she’s representin’:
http://www.potholesandpantyhose.com/2011/10/diy-spinning-composter/
and here’s a link to just the video of the Composter in case you aren’t in the mood to read:
http://www.potholesandpantyhose.com/2011/11/diy-spinning-composter-video-only/
Hey Rebekah, thanks for the note, and always great to hear from fellow Kansans. I’ll check out that DIY, seems like a lot more efficient than my own neglected compost bucket.
so how can one do a similar site? are you on wordpress? blogger? who helped out?
Hi Visnja, I designed the site and a developer friend helped with the buildout. Also I’m using wordpress.
Matt, Love the blog and the work! Found out about you through the Bizarr, which is going to be awesome! Would love to feature your work on my blogs! Nice stuff
Thanks Yvonne, I’m happy you’re reading. Feel free to feature anything on your blog, I appreciate you getting the word out!
Greetings from Boston!
Love your website and your God given talent of creating beautiful things. Your capacity to partner fashion accessories, recreational luxuries and the practical is extraordinary. Great Work!
Hi i came across your website and it is stuning
And i wanted to ask you and maybe give you a great tip for your next product.
i am a web designer from NY and we all use iPads here and so does the rest of the world,
Can you make a leather case for the ipad i think that would be your best seller and it is well within your reach from what i am seeing and there aren’t many good one out there.
Thanks Eli, and maybe? There’s not one in the works now, but who knows what I might bring to the line.
Hey Matt,
Love your work, I first stumbled upon your work through design sponge. I love your tutorials they are excellently executed. I was going to ask your advise , we (a small design collective) based in Dublin, Ireland run a quarterly 6hour workshop whereby participates up-cycle an assigned material into something else. Example of previous workshops include a up-cycled chair workshop and a the latest one entailed participants making giant chess pieces from factory off cuts.
The latest one in the pipeline is maybe transforming leather upholstery offcuts from a car manufacturing business to some form of bicycle accessory.
Any ideas of nice things we could do with leather offcuts? All I can come up with is something like this http://www.instructables.com/id/Cover-your-worn-bicycle-saddle-with-real-leather/ . However it seems rather lam, if you have any ideas of anything better I would love to hear from you ,
Regards,
Fi
Hi Fi, thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you’ve got a cool program going. Have you thought of doing small tool roll or pouch? Maybe small handlebar mounted bag to keep your phone/keys while riding? Good luck with your projects!
Wonderful styling and eye for details. I really enjoy browsing your pages. Cheers.
Hello,
Just discovered your ‘wares’ when a client walked into our store here in Toulouse-FR. Had to know what this Wood & Faulk was all about. Great stuff. Keep up the wonderful work.
Be well.
E
Nice site. Just needs more! How about sharing some of your favorite sites for design (or fashion) inspiration?
I need to do that, Phil… maybe I’ll work up a page with inspiration on it soon. Most often I’ll check ACL, http://countersunk.tumblr.com/, http://brooklyntowest.blogspot.com/, http://fieldaesthetic.com/, http://freecabinporn.com/ and http://convoy.tumblr.com/
Love it!!
Hello from Buenos Aires!!!
Hi – just wondering if you can do the 12″ bag in gray. Thanks!
Anu
Hi Anu, I have some made, I just need to photograph them and make them active in the store.
Wow. amazing! very creative!
I want ask something, but sry if my english not good.
How did you make your brand (leather stamps)? maybe i want request video or article about stamping process.
Thanks! (from Jakarta, Indonesia)
Thanks Hael. I have my stamps made at a printing plate engraver, then press them with an arbor press.
what brand and type the arbor press? thanks a lot!
Hi Matt, all of your stuff looks fabulous. I’m wondering if you’re going to be bringing back for sale the brown leather watchband that you made for the Design Sponge DIY. I’d rather have you do it for me !
Thanks from MA
Thanks David. That was an odd lot of leather and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get more. The new stuff will be Horween leathers for the watch bands.
Hi Matt,
I am a recently retired police officer and stumbled onto your site cause i was searching images of Red Wing Iron Rangers, I like your work. What type of sewing machine Make/Model any special set up features to sew leather? I tinker with some of the leather goods for my fellow officers and have been wanting to get a sewing machine…any help is appreciated. Joe BTW I bought the Black Iron Rangers and I’m breaking them in now>>>>
Hi Joe, I started with a Juki LU-562 with a gear reduction servo motor. Makes leather sewing slow and easy. Good luck with your projects!
Hi Matt,
Really enjoyed your post on the leather lunchbox, your design is awesome. Did you source that leather like some of your other creations from the SB Tannery? Or perhaps there is another source you go to?
The leather you use looks fantastic, and your projects are inspiring. Thank you for sharing them.
Best,
Chris
Thanks Chris, that leather was a scrap piece I bought at Oregon Leather Co in town.
Just found you, glad I did.
Love Love your products ….found you on Pinterest! So going to order one of your bags and a belt for the hubby!!!
Hello Matt,about 12 months ago i stumbled upon your web page.As a result i made a camera wrist strap for my brothers xmas present,he loved it,anyway fast forward to now,i now make card holders,wallets etc for my friends and barber shop customers.I have just bought a singer 201k,hand cranked for slow learning.Anyway,many thanks Matt,i check you out every week,love what WOOD&FAULK does.My father was an engineer,his father was a tailor and his father made steam engine valves,i now make things.Regards Ian Russell,Manchester north west England.
Hi
saw the watchstraps like it a lot what sizes do you offer ?
Thanks Fred
Hi Fred, watchstraps are available in 18mm and 20mm sizing.
Matt,
Love the blog and have been following it over a year. Just moved to PDX to get my Ph.D. at PSU. Yikes.
Anyway, I think my feet are like yours (wide) and I would like some boots…maybe a little bit more “urban” than the Redwings, although those are admittedly cool. Any recommendations where to shop?
Doug
Hey Doug, check out the selection at Lizard Lounge. They might have just what you need.
Hello,
I am interested in your duffle bags. Besides the size difference can you explain the differences between the Northwestern 20in and the Navy Deluxe 20in Carpenter’s Bag? Thanks for your help, I want to make a purchase as soon as I hear back! Thanks!
Hi Jackie, those are both the same interior dimensions, but one is waxed canvas with the outer pocket and steel frame. The deluxe has untreated canvas and an aluminum frame.
Dear Matt,
I’m a big fan of your thoughtfully written blog and beautifully executed products. (also curious to read more updates about your Land Cruiser)
I’ve just recently discovered the work of Claire Painter who specializes in equestrian leather products in Kentucky. Thought that you might find the equestrian-inspired belts interesting.
http://cleverwithleather.com/
Happy holidays!
Paula
p.s I wish her company had a less cheese-tastic name.
Your work is beautiful. I have bookmarked your site. Off point, where did you get that awesome tweed in the photo above?
Thanks Peter, that was a jacket from Duchess in Portland. Look them up, really amazing stuff.
Hi Matt,
Joe B. here, thanks for the reply a few months back, So I broke down and purchased a leather sewing machine Consew 205 RB1……It is really powerful and fun to use. Just wanted to know where I can purchase some Horween Chromexel Cowhide…… BTW how is that Land Cruiser doing. I have a 1997 Ford F350 4×4 available to sell, I have no room for it, it runs great….I drove it back from Missouri to California……
Hey Joe, congrats on your new machine. I buy Chromexcel from the tannery, so you might contact them and see if they have a retailer list for small quantities. The Cruiser is doing great, with I had more time to work on it and when I do, I’ll post more!
W&F,
Great products! Had a question wanting to know if you have a retail shop? I live in Portland area.
Gary
Hi Gary, most products are available at Beam&Anchor shop in Portland. Thanks for asking!
hi, may i ask you which font you are using for your website?
I believe it’s Tilden? I’m using Typekit.
Glad i found your site. Your work’s not only cool but feels like it comes from a real and well formed place.
Cheers
greetings from Indonesia,
i’m so in love with your works, especially using leather in furniture. i would like to have those tools, where did you get those tools? i’m planning to built furniture workshop someday, and i can’t find good tools here in Indonesia
hope you can help me, thank you and sorry for my bad English
Hi Syarifa, first of all your English is excellent. I bought most tools in town or from a large leather supplier in Ohio. I’m not sure of the best way to get tools in Indonesia… try looking for a CS Osborne dealer that can ship or sells nearby. Good luck with your projects!
Hi W&F,
I was looking through a design blog and your branding really caught my eye. Effortlessly cool – very much like the products! I often have a quick read of your site and catch up on what your up to!
I’m a textile designer from the north of England, and I’d love to incorporate leather into some of my products. I was wondering if you could offer a list of some of the tools I’d need to get started in cutting and shaping leather. In theory, I’d like to have a go at things similar to your camera/key ring straps and maybe (after much practice!) the leather lunch bag.
Hope you can help.
Thanks,
Sam
Thanks for reading, Sam. I’d go through my old DIYs and check the tool list. Punches, awl, mallets, rivet drivers… all useful items. Really depends on what you’d like to make though, there’s lots of tools for many unique applications.
hello~!!
I am korean, studying leather goods, My wife an I love your product!!!!
I found your product at store then I purchased the bag for my wife right away!!
My wife loves it!!
now I am living in korea, but I am planning to go USA for studying English and US Culture this summer.
if there any chance to meet you or visit your original store or your workshop???
I will be so happy to have a time to meet you!!
thanks!!!!
Hello Naryung Kim!
Thanks for the kind words. You are definitely more than welcome to visit the shop. We’re above the Beam&Anchor retail shop, and if you ask them, they will let you up to see our workshop. The address is 2710 N. Interstate Ave., Portland OR 97227.
hi I’m Limis .i am very intresting in your work.It is wonderful.
What camera is that?
It’s an Olympus E-P1
Hi Matt,
I follow you since the first time, and happy were you are now. Congratulations!
I’m from Germany. Since 2 years i work with leather. Just 4 me Not for Business.
Now its Time to Build up the w&f Camp stool in a modified Version with my hands.
Thanks for your excellent diy Instruction. Is there an Option to get the exact measurement of the leather?
I saw your pdf of the Seatcover but i would be happy if you could help.
Best Wishes (sorry for the Bad englisch)
Hi Uwe, thanks for the note and happy you’re working on some projects. The campstool seat dimensions are about 14″ each side of the rectangle. Best of luck! Matt
Thank you for your fast answer. Any chance to post you the result, it’s finished.
Just wanted to say that your studio is gorgeous – your product speaks for itself & I was just reading your post with my 13 year old while he’s playing the ukulele & I’ll have to say, haven’t been so happily entertained in ages.I’m still giggling about the salami sheath- great job-
Hi Elke, I’m happy you’re enjoying the posts and I especially like that you’re reading along with your kiddo serenading.