INNOVATION IN CRAFT // Michael Fleming's Driftwood Creations

 Photo Credit: Trent Bell for The New York Times

You may recognize Michael Fleming's name from a much-circulated article that appeared in the Times' towards the end of August.  The piece focused mainly on how Michael and his wife Jennifer (who share a combined annual income of $17,000) decorated their gorgeous 1800's house in Phippsburg, Maine for under $4000. Spefically: By turning to the town dump for virtually everything; their ironing board, flour sifter and coffee grinder, mirrors, tables, chairs, tablecloths, lamps and books.

Photo Credit: Trent Bell for The New York Times

An inspiring and impressive feat, we agree. But we found ourselves almost equally struck by Michael's compelling carpentry and sculpture, constructed almost exclusively from driftwood.  

Of his chosen medium, Michael tells us, "Working with driftwood is an unhurried process.  I can look through thousands of pieces and select only a few. Some of the material will sit in my yard for a year or more until it has achieved the desired color I'm looking for.  It's very different than driving to your local lumber supply and picking out what you need.  I simply search along the coast of Maine to find what I need.  Once the wood has the right color, I dry it in my solar kiln and from there I can work the material."

Michael shied away from more conventional carpentry jobs to start his own business, Designs Adrift, because he was "unsatisfied with traditional furniture."

"I needed to make more unique and beautiful objects rather than machines and common mass produced designs," he says.  "I feel very connected to nature working with driftwood and giving the wood a new life and purpose.  I [love] to create unique, beautiful objects with low technology and impact."

Right up our alley.  

Hit the jump to see a few more of Fleming's gorgeous creations. And for those who feel inspired, you might say 3rd Ward's got a few woodworking classes of our own.

Club Chair -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftSpring Tide -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftArey; Custom Driftwood Mirror -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftLinekin -- Courtesy: Designs AdriftRogue -- Courtesy: Designs Adrift-- Margaux Weisman