The Beauty of Nature’s Life
Most of Chris Pinkerton’s professional background lies in education and teaching - he taught English as a second language at the University of Delaware, as well as overseas in places including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. After retiring last year, he got a phone call from an old friend, Dave Karr, which would send him off into a new, exciting direction.
Chris and Dave have known each other for over 40 years. They had a furniture business together many years ago, and Dave currently has a furniture store near Altoona, PA. Dave called Chris to ask him if he’d be interested in partnering with him on retailing live-edge slabs, and Chris jumped at the opportunity.
Live-edge slabs are all about character and originality. These slabs are taken from logs, dried, and then incorporated into home furnishings. The beauty of this work is that every single slab is unique from one another. They differ not just based on species, but also what each individual tree experienced in its life - the storms it endured, the fires it may have met, and even the insects it had to fight off. Each slab reflects a life, and after being used to create a piece of furniture, that life is ultimately revealed in one’s home. Chris and Dave also work with reclaimed lumber, which is wood that was used previously in someone else’s home. With reclaimed lumber, that history now becomes part of someone else’s story. Chris loves that with these processes, he and Dave are able to incorporate special elements to their furniture that are not just mass produced in a factory - they are truly bringing in life to someone’s home.
Chris discovered The Wireworks Exchange while searching for a place to set up space to sell the live-edge slabs. After visiting the Open House, he knew this space would be the perfect spot to introduce this raw material to other artisans, crafters and woodworkers. The pieces he sells at his booth are both reclaimed wood and live-edge slabs. His space at The York Merchant features Dave’s own rustic chic handcrafted furniture.
For Chris, being able to be back in the furniture business with Dave is a true joy. He loves working with wood, and also the connection to nature. To be able to give people the opportunity to enjoy that as well is rewarding. He loves working with Dave to provide individuals not only with a quality product, but with the beauty of nature’s life - whether it be life straight out from the woods, or life from other peoples’ homes. He calls it a soulful experience, and he’s happy to be able to share that with the world.
To learn more about Furnitureslabs and Woods Edge, please visit www.furnitureslabs.com