Interview: Alex Henderson Of Henderson Dry Out Goods

Photo | Janis Nicolay

Continuing on our interview series, today I'm thrilled to characteristic Alex Henderson of the beautiful line ran into her function at Eugene Choo's dorsum inward 2009. Her choices of woods (usually teak or walnut), the intricacies of her designs too craftmanship are impeccable too continually evolve too inspire. We sent over a few questions lastly week, too here's what she had to say; but showtime a footling fight well-nigh her too her company:

Alex Henderson is a Vancouver industrial designer, her medium is primarily wood, used inward a myriad of ways, from jewelry to habitation décor: mirrors too clocks, mobiles too dioramas. Henderson Dry Goods products are plant of art, disguised every bit objects of design. Everything is made-to-order too custom projects are happily considered. You may convey seen about of her function online too inward local stores.  Click hither for a full listing.

Photo | Janis Nicolay

Tell us a footling fight well-nigh you. Where did you lot prepare or written report too what led you lot to the path you lot currently are on?

I decided I wanted to instruct a designer at the historic menstruation of 15. At the same fourth dimension I also decided I wanted to snuff it to Emily Carr. It took me about other eight years too a major movement to instruct there, but I did, too graduated alongside my score inward industrial pattern inward 2006.

I also exclusively ever envisioned working for myself too happily I’ve been able to brand that a reality through about well-timed circumstances too a fair amount of difficult function too stubbornness.

Photo | Janis Nicolay

Photo via Working Format

Photo | Janis Nicolay

What's your primary focus currently and/or how would you lot depict your electrical flow pattern aesthetic?

My primary focus is on beingness self-sustaining too adjusting my line of piece of occupation concern model every bit I snuff it on inward an endeavor to hold things modest too manageable. I don’t desire to simply transcend off function to employees but hold to brand my function alongside my ain hands (and my Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation cutter!). I relish the long procedure of continually improving my techniques too refining my ain vision for Henderson Dry Goods.

My pattern aesthetic ever seems to demand wood. However, I am starting to experience the itch to seek out about novel materials, inward particular, textiles.

Photo | Janis Nicolay

Love your mirrors - tin you lot explicate that pattern process?

The mirrors are a labour of love, alongside the emphasis on labour! Boards of venture woods (I purpose walnut too alder) are jointed, planed too therefore joined together earlier milling them downward into the frame shapes using a c.n.c. router. After much sanding too finishing, I add together the custom cutting mirror, backings too brackets. Over the years I convey re-imagined the mirrors too convey tried making them several dissimilar ways too I mean value I finally convey them figured out, exclusively to realize they truly don’t brand feel every bit a feasible production (it is frequently likewise difficult to compete alongside Made inward Cathay prices). Alas, I convey truly decided to halt the production of the mirrors. Happily I look to live getting a steady flow of commissions for custom ones though, which I am really glad to do.

Photo | Janis Nicolay

What Canadian designers/makers/architects, etc practise you lot hold off upward to, are influenced yesteryear or inspire you?

The listing is likewise huge! I experience lucky that I look to live surrounded yesteryear amazingly talented people who inspire me inward diverse ways, live it through their function ethic, their creative genius, their aesthetic or simply by too large beingness creative people. But hither are a few of item note:

Lee Henderson (notable writer/ brother)
Ben Burnett (designer too craftsman extraordinaire/ husband)
Karin Bubas (artist who creates beautiful work)
Working Format (graphic designers alongside rigor)
Christian Woo (makes woods experience similar butter)
Troy Gronsdahl (artist/musician of special talent)
Brent Comber (renowned too generous designer/ sculptor))
Omer Arbel (Tour de Force)

Where else practise you lot line inspiration from?

Anything too everything too sometimes fifty-fifty nothing.

Any sneak peeks or plans you lot tin part of novel or futurity things on the go?

I convey several things on the snuff it but I’m a mom alongside a toddler…. therefore the best put plans…


Thanks Alex!  You tin see Henderson Dry Goods online at hendersondrygoods.com too notice her function inward shops inward North America too Europe.  Click here to encounter her Stockists.

Thank you lot to Janis Nicolay for sharing about photo's of Alex's function alongside us for this interview.

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