Spires Magazine | Winter 2018 by Sunflower Publishing

THE FINE ART

of woodcrafting

plus.

Decorating for winter

& Holiday antique shopping winter 2018

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h e l l o

from the editor

PUBLISHER Geordie Wilson

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kelly Gibson WRITERS

Jeanne Marie Ford Gina Gallucci-White Jessica Kellner Tripp Laino Karen Peacock Christie Wiesniewski

PHOTOGRAPHER Bill Green SALES EXECUTIVE Connie Hastings

For editorial queries or suggestions, contact Kelly Gibson, kgibson@sunflowerpub.com For advertising queries, contact Connie Hastings, chastings@newspost.com Spires Magazine 351 Ballenger Center Drive Frederick, MD 21703 (301) 662-1163

Winter decorating could be a standalone holiday in my household. I start itching to pull out the mantel ornaments and festive garland around Halloween. About a week before Thanksgiving, I usually give in, turn on a merry playlist and set to work. It’s a special kind of winter nesting -- placing faux fur throws and joyful decorative pillows around my living room, laying green garland and frosted berry centerpieces around the dining room, lighting candles and hanging our stockings above the hearth. This issue has great tips for decorating for the holidays, thanks to a few participants from the 2018 Candlelight Home Tour. It also highlights a few wonderful antiques shops where you can find the perfect pieces to give your home classic, vintage appeal. In our cover feature, meet some of the local woodturning and woodcarving artists near Frederick who create unique pieces of wood art ideal for winter decorating. And don’t miss a story on creating a sanctuary in your home this winter (it’s one of my personal favorites). In the frenzy of the holidays, family gatherings, and snow days, make your home a place of peace and comfort. Resolve to begin the New Year rested and rejuvenated. Happy winter and happy reading! Kelly Gibson

EDITOR’S NOTE In the fall issue, we ran a story that mentioned decorating with feathers. Please be sure to check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s list of protected migratory bird species before using feathers in home decor. Use of certain feathers is prohibited in commercial products.

Spires Magazine is a collaboration of The Frederick News-Post and Ogden Publications city/regional magazine division. Ogden Publications production team for Spires Magazine: Bill Uhler, Bob Cucciniello, Kelly Gibson, Shelly Bryant, Leslie Andres. All material, including text and photography, are copyright Ogden Publications. The use, reprint or distribution of any material without express permission is forbidden.

ON THE COVER Westminster-based woodcarving artist Thomas Sterner. Photograph by Bill Green.

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THE FINE ART

of woodcrafting

plus.

Decorating for winter

Holiday antique shopping winter 2018

c o n t e n t s d e p a r t me n ts

in the home

winter housewarming Add a sense of comfort to your home dĂŠcor this winter.

living history, modern amenities Luxury rowhouses are plentiful in Downtown Frederick.

around the home

winter wonderland Enhance your garden by showcasing the subtle beauty of the winter landscape.

build your sanctuary Use these tips and habits to ensure a relaxing, restful home where you can recharge.

away from the home

a different kind of holiday nostalgia

features

A few picks for local crosscountry skiing opportunities

what we love right now Food and drink, events and accessories around town

a different kind of holiday nostalgia Find unique holiday shopping opportunities at Frederick antique stores.

no place like home for the holidays Home decor tips and trends from a few of the homeowners featured in the 2018 Candlelight Home Tour

as the wood turns Artisan woodcraft offers natural appeal

recurring

backstory

winter 18

Westminster-based artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work offers a warm look at nature

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PHOTOS Shutterstock

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Adding cozy elements, such as faux fur throws and new pillows, can warm up your home dĂŠcor in colder months.

THE HOME

winter house warming Add a sense of comfort to your home décor this winter

ygge (pronounced /hue-guh/) is a Danish word that’s often used to describe a feeling or moment as cozy or special. In the winter, it’s also an aspirational feeling—especially when shoveling 6 inches of slushy snow off your driveway! While there are many ways to warm up literally, there are also plenty of ways to warm up your living space in a more metaphorical way. Mary Beutler, designer at Dream House Furniture & Design in Frederick, suggests changing up small pieces of décor in a room to change its feel. “Much like your seasonal décor for Halloween or Christmas, you can swap out your accessories to change the feel of a room,” she says. “It’s more about textures and cozy factors that are with the textiles—wools, chunky, bigger weaves of something. Instead of a thin linen throw, it’s a chunkier, wool one. For a rug, maybe it has a longer pile, where you can sink into it a little bit more. Velvet, depending on color, is a cozier-feeling fabric—softer, more inviting. You want to cuddle up next to them.” Heather Genau, owner of Heather Lynn Interiors, also emphasized focusing on smaller accessories as a way to change the feel of a room without a major cost. “For winter I usually recommend, just like fashion, to add layers,” she says. “When you add layers, you’re kind of adding layers to your home to make it more cozy and warm, whether it’s adding a new throw or new pillows or adding some different textures. … People can go to an extreme by changing out different furniture or paint colors, but that’s not really practical. Try different floral arrangements, different throws, ottomans and smaller pieces that you can change out to give that cozy feeling.” Beutler says pillows are one of the most common ways people switch up the feel of rooms in their home.

story by Tripp Laino

photos courtesy Dream House

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i t

“People come in for pillows all the time, coming in for fall pillows, summer pillows,” she says. “Even if they don’t want to mix up their color scheme, that’s the easiest thing to change out.” Beutler said green has become a popular warming color recently, but there are many options to suit any color palette. “Blue has been very popular for many years, but we’ve seen a lot more emerald colors—it’s in a lot more design magazines,” she says. “It’s a rich color, it’s a warm color. Even using browns and blacks, darker neutrals. Many people are into neutrals, but select a leather pillow or hide pillow to give it a cozier feel.” Other small pieces of décor can be changed, too. While many people might not think of it, smaller pieces of accent art can often change the vibe of a space. While swapping out a room’s main piece of art may not be entirely practical, Beutler says, you can switch out smaller pieces for ones that feature warmer, cozier colors in the winter. Another option to consider is changing lamps or lighting in a room—like swapping out a lamp for one made of a warmer material, such as wood, or even just changing the way you light the room. “I think you can achieve the same cozy feeling with different lighting,” Genau said. “I think candles are a good way to do that— little touches that do give the ambiance of what a fireplace would give or what other typical things that everyone might not have in their home.”

t r y

THE HOME

y o u r s e l f

A Taste of the Season Of course, there are other ways to warm your home, too—like throwing a great winter party! Damon Shattuck, bar manager at Volt, shares a recipe for a spiced apple cider that, whether served warm or cold, is sure to leave your guests feeling warm. Warming Apple Cider by Damon Shattuck My favorite holiday drink, especially to drink while cooking dinner for Christmas or Thanksgiving (as well as when guests arrive), is a spiced apple cider. It is the most versatile recipe in many ways. You can use almost any liquor or liqueur, but I prefer spiced or aged rum or other liquors that have seen time in a barrel (whisky, cognac or rum, preferably). You can also adjust the amount of liquor in your drink (I add the alcohol while serving rather than committing to the strength at the beginning). You may have a guest who doesn’t want booze, or you may want a much stronger drink before bed than you did before breaking out the holiday ornaments. There are a lot of variables here, but so long as you find your preferred balance among the citrus, the spices and the sweetness, this should be a warming recipe that anyone can make their own. Also, if you don’t have pineapples or oranges, use a half cup of each juice—but don’t leave it out. The fruit (or juices) adds a refreshing brightness that really makes the cider and baking spices shine.

Add to either a slow cooker or a pot on the stove: • • • • • • • • •

1/2 gallon apple cider 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 of a cubed pineapple (skins on) 2 oranges, quartered 5 quarter-sized slices of ginger 1 ounce maple syrup 5 cloves 3 cinnamon sticks Cardamom and star anise (optional)

Bring to boil then turn down heat to simmer for between 30 minutes and 4 hours. It gets better as it simmers, but feel free to make drinks at any time after the 30-minute mark.

TO SERVE HOT I make each drink between 1/4 to 1/3 parts liquor (whisky, cognac or rum), but again, that’s to taste. Garnish with sliced oranges and a cinnamon stick in a mug. Adding light with candles creates a cozy ambiance.

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TO SERVE COLD Strain cider. For each drink, use 1 1/2 ounces of alcohol and 3 ounces of cider. Shake with ice, then strain over ice or straight up in a martini glass. Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg.

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THE HOME

living history, modern amenities Luxury rowhouses are plentiful in Downtown Frederick

PHOTOS COURTESY Lori Rogers Homes, Keller Williams Luxury Homes International

owntown Frederick is known for its locally owned and operated boutique shops and restaurants, but its rowhouses add more charm to the historic area. “When you drive down the streets (of Downtown Frederick), a lot of the homes look quite similar from the street. However, when you walk inside, they are remarkably different,” says Lorinda Rogers, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty Centre. Historic Grandeur In late October, Rogers was selling a five-bedroom, 2.5-bath luxury rowhouse at 30 E. Third St. She has previously sold the homes on the opposite sides of the home at 28 and 32 E. Third St. “They are incredibly different” on the inside, she says. The listing, 30 E. Third St., was built in the mid 1890s of bricks made by the Frederick Brick Company. It features windows 70 inches wide and ceiling heights reaching 9 and 10 feet. The exterior has remained largely unchanged except when an apartment, featuring a kitchen, full bath, bedroom and an additional rear porch, was added as a third floor in the 1920s. The unit could

still be used as an apartment, but it doesn’t have its own entrance. While the outside recalls Frederick’s early days, the inside is modern. “That’s how we live today,” Rogers says. “When you go into some of these older homes and they are all decorated and it is done in a very old-fashioned style, people feel as though they are living in a museum, and it tends to be a little harder for people to adapt to that. It’s not as popular. I’ve lived in London, and, the way everything is done there, the exteriors are very old and very well taken care of, but you walk inside and it’s extremely modern to make it more livable. ... Very few people want to feel like they are living in a museum.” Some of the original woodwork, such as the banister on the staircase and some trim work, remain. “It’s been very well preserved,” Rogers says. “It’s in good condition. That is quite special” because some other homes have lost these touches through modernizations and the new woodwork is not done in a classic style. The $615,000 property is only a few minutes from shops on Market and Patrick streets, yet “it’s quiet and tranquil and beautiful,” Rogers notes.

story by Gina Gallucci-White

winter 18

THE HOME

Modern Elegance Another recent listing, 248 Third St. E, has been featured on Celebrate Frederick’s popular Candlelight House and Beyond the Garden Gates tours. A highly coveted end unit, the $525,000 townhome has natural light on three sides and is right next to East Street Park. Frederick Town Realty’s Lauren Kremers pulls double duty on this listing as not only the agent but also the property owner. “If someone wants to experience Downtown Frederick, it’s the perfect little oasis,” she says. Kremers has loved being next to the park, sitting in the garden and hearing the laughter of children. Plus, the property is near Pistarro’s, which offers its own perk. “It’s nice to be able to call and get a pizza in 10 minutes and bring it home,” Kremers says. The three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home was built in 1844. “It has beautiful heart pine floors throughout the inside,” she says. The previous owners before her renovated “in such a way [that] they honored the historic features of the house while giving it an updated kitchen and bathrooms.” The kitchen offers a unique talking point as the cabinets are cherry red. “People have been intrigued by it,” Kremers says. “Living with it is kind of fun. It’s a fun, happy space. It’s kind of bold. I don’t know if I had been the one redoing it if I would have picked it, but it’s definitely been fun having this kitchen.” The property also offers something that is highly coveted in Downtown Frederick—a two-car garage. Right next to the garage is a room the Kremers used as a space to host family and friends, but it could be used as a home office or artist’s space. “It’s kind of like a little serendipitous space,” she says.

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Winter Wonderland Enhance your garden by showcasing the subtle beauty of the winter landscape.

story by Jessica Kellner

winter 18

around THE HOME

inter is often a neglected season in the garden, but a well-designed winter garden offers unique beauty— and having one might encourage you to bundle up and get some fresh air during the coldest days of the year. Even after they lose their foliage, many plants look striking in winter, especially if they’re covered with a layer of snow. You don’t need to follow a set of complex guidelines to create a four-season garden; you simply need to think about winter beauty as you select your garden plants. Benjamin Carroll, senior horticulturalist for Sansho-En, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Japanese garden, says winter gardens have a long history in other parts of the world, and they’re gaining popularity here—even in his notoriously chilly hometown. “I’m from Chicago, and growing up as a gardener here, you hardly ever put the words ‘winter’ and ‘garden’ in the same sentence,” Carroll says. “But I studied in England, where they have a culture and history of planting winter gardens. The Cambridge University Botanic Garden and Anglesey Abbey both have gardens designed to be at their peak during winter,” he says. “Here at the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Evening Island garden and the Japanese garden, Sansho-En, look great through the winter months.”

PHOTO Shutterstock

“...now people are realizing that if you choose well, the garden looks good through winter...”

Plant Enchantment Designing a garden for year-round pleasure requires consideration of plants’ colors and textures from season to season. Carroll suggests those planning a winter landscape forgo the –Benjamin Carroll conventional fall garden cleanup and start the design process literally in their own backyards. “The convention in old school gardening was to do a late autumn clearing, but now people are realizing that if you choose well, the garden looks good through winter, so they wait and do a late winter cleanup,” he says. If you haven’t already cleared them, let your harvest-season plants stand, and take notes: Which plants look interesting or beautiful? Which might look better in a larger group? Which would look better in the compost pile? Next, seek outside inspiration. Take a walk through the neighborhood, a park or a nature preserve near your home with a notebook and camera. Take note of plants whose seedpods, stems or winter foliage look picturesque. Take photos to help you identify unknown plants. If you can’t figure out what they are online or in a good garden identification book, a local garden center can likely help you identify unknown species. Or check out the Leafsnap mobile app, developed by researchers

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at the University of Maryland, Columbia University and the Smithsonian Institute, which identifies plants in photos you take. Carroll says there are a few important qualities—color, rhythm, texture and plant combination—one should consider in any garden design. “If you want a garden that looks great in winter, think about those same qualities for the interest they provide in winter,” Carroll says. He puts plants into three categories when considering winter garden design: 1) The fruit and seed group, with colorful fruit, a large quantity of seeds or interesting dry seedpods; 2) the stem and bark group, with

“Sometimes there are fun surprises—things you didn’t realize would look good in the winter landscape ...” –Benjamin Carroll sculptural or colorful stems and interesting textures; and 3) the leaf and flower group, with cold weather foliage or blooms. Though some plants do look especially beautiful in winter, he says, your best tool for winter garden planning is simple observation. “Sometimes there are fun surprises—things you didn’t realize would look good in the winter landscape but

really do,” Carroll says. “One example is the hardy hibiscus. Most people think of it as tropical, but really it’s a native plant. When its seedpods open up and let seeds go in the late autumn, it leaves capsules with fur inside. It’s amazing how they catch the winter sun. It’s beautiful, but it’s something you could walk by without noticing. There are always special surprises, and those are the things you should think about and plant more of for the next winter.” After you’ve identified plants that offer interesting color, shape and texture, consider pattern, quantity and repetition in your plantings. “Sometimes you have to bulk up the quantity so you really make a show,” Carroll says. Though the amount of winter-interest plants may look sufficient amid the bounty of summer, they could still look scant when the foliage and blooms die down in winter. “If you plant something that provides stem interest—a redstem dogwood, for instance— plant three instead of one. A larger group has a bigger impact because you’re condensing the color, making it larger and more noticeable,” Carroll says. Scenic Route As you plan, think about how your individual plants and overall garden design will look throughout the phases of winter, especially if you live in a climate with a long cold season. “I think of it in terms of an early winter season, a midwinter season and a late winter season,” Carroll says. “There’s no set date for these seasons to begin; they kind of fade into one another, and there are these vague transitional areas in between that are exciting.” By planting late hangers-on and early bloomers, you can create garden interest during two-thirds of a long winter (continued on page 16)

Along with the beauty it provides you, your winter garden will also help provide food and habitat for wildlife in your area. Birds rely on seeds to survive winter, and beneficial insects need places to hibernate. If you’re interested in attracting birds and other animals to your garden, choosing native plants is a good starting point. “Use plants from your area that would naturally provide food for the birds and materials for insect hibernation,” Carroll says. “Anything with many seeds or that holds onto its fruit into winter is good for carrying birds through the cold months.” If you are a bird enthusiast, take it a step further by supplementing winter plantings with birdhouses or bird feeders, strategically positioned within view of both an indoor and outdoor perch for human admirers.

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PHOTOS Shutterstock

Winter Wildlife

around THE HOME

FourSeason Food Many gardenersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially those in climates with mild to moderate wintersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;find success growing food during the winter. In nearly any winter climate, hearty greens such as chicory, radicchio, kale and endive can grow year-round. Other winter potentials include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, fennel, horseradish, kohlrabi and winter squash. Adding protection with heavy mulch, garden blankets and row covers can increase your food-growing success. Learn more about planting and harvesting greens year-round at naturalhomeandgarden. com/winter-wonderland.

around THE HOME

season. “Although many plants will lose their leaves totally in midwinter, in early winter they hold onto them and might still have some color even though it’s way past autumn. Then there are plants that will push out some flowers in what we’d consider late winter. For example, witch hazel will flower really early—even in late February or early March in Chicago. Anything blooming then is impressive and provides hope to us gardeners,” Carroll says. Winter is also the best time to observe your garden’s overall structure. Not distracted by brilliant blooms, you can absorb its layout. Are trees and shrubs planted where they help create flow and define distinct garden areas? Do strategic plantings block winter winds and admit winter sun? Are your vegetable patches in the optimal position for next season? Take note of large plantings you’d like to add, new locations for vegetable beds or other structural changes you’d like to think about. If you aren’t planning to grow food crops during winter, it’s wise to plant cover crops such as rye, sorghum or buckwheat in your vegetable beds. Cover crops provide beautiful texture and movement, help make soil healthier and provide mulch materials for spring. Cut them down before they go to seed. Finally, consider the quantity, style and placement of hardscape such as benches, tables, patios, fountains, pergolas, gazebos, stepping stones or pavers, and paths (make sure there is a clear path to any areas you’ll want to frequent in winter). Consider whether you’ve placed all of your garden hardscape where you’re most likely to take advantage of it.

Are there any items to add or anything that needs a fresh coat of paint? A colored garden bench surrounded by a swath of fluffy clover provides a pretty sitting spot. Garden walls made of stone, rock or brick and planted with climbing vines display an interesting mix of textures, and look beautiful covered with snow. But be sure to self-edit; you don’t want benches and patios to overwhelm delicate seeds and sparkling snowscapes.

...let the delicate beauty of the season inspire a garden of winter wonders. After making all of these observations, you’ll likely have heightened your appreciation of the winter garden, and you’ll be ready to make next winter’s garden even more beautiful. Using your complete winter arsenal—plants with bright color and interesting textures, statuesque trees and sturdy stems, evergreen trees and shrubs, along with stone, brick, rock or wood—you can define spaces and create focal points. Whatever elements you choose to incorporate, let the delicate beauty of the season inspire a garden of winter wonders.

You can manipulate winter plants to produce more color. “With shrubs like dogwoods and willows, which have colored stems in winter, you need to manage your plants if you want to keep the color,” Carroll says. Many plant stems have bright color in their first two seasons, then they turn gray. You can encourage new, brightly colored growth by cutting plants back hard each winter when the shrubs’ buds begin to swell. “Be careful not to do it too early, because the whole point of having the red stems is for winter interest,” Carroll says. He advises gardeners to count the number of stems on winter plants and remove a third each year, cutting the oldest stems first. After cutting back plants, apply organic plant food. “You’re asking a lot of the plant—cutting a third of it away and expecting it to push out new stems. It’s providing beauty for us, so we should provide for it,” Carroll says.

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PHOTO Shutterstock

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e all want our homes to be restful retreats where we can get away from the rush of the world, center ourselves and find serenity. Whether we’re working in a fast-paced environment, volunteering in our communities, raising kids or supporting family members, most of us have daily stresses, and we need to find ways to relax and recharge so we can be our most effective. But achieving deep relaxation can be difficult if you don’t have a haven from day-to-day chaos. If you walk into a home that presents its own lengthy to-do list the minute you enter, it’s hard to let the worries of the world melt away. Fortunately, we are all masters of our domain, and we have the power to change our surroundings and our habits to make sure we do have a restful retreat, a well-feathered nest where we can curl up, feel safe and allow ourselves to recharge. Everyone’s idea of a serene environment is a little different, but we hope you’ll use the tips and ideas throughout this article as a starting point for considering—and manifesting—what makes a truly replenishing home for you. Cleaning & Decluttering Set a cleaning routine: Wouldn’t it be nice to walk into a tidy home every day, rather than one with a sink full of dishes, clothes strewn about and mail stacked on the table? It’s not glamorous, but setting a cleaning routine is the best way to keep chores from feeling overwhelming. Daily tidying habits also keep us from being forced to spend a whole day cleaning every weekend. Set a time limit for daily tasks—20 to 30 minutes is usually sufficient—and list the chores that need to be done daily, weekly and monthly. Assign daily tasks throughout the week and divvy out the weekly and monthly ones, too. Then set aside 20 or 30 minutes for daily chores and enjoy getting in the habit of living in a perpetually clean home. You can find many sample weekly cleaning schedules online; the only important thing is that your schedule works for you.

PHOTO Shutterstock

Get rid of what you don’t love: Clutter makes a home feel chaotic and makes cleaning more difficult. We all have our own preferences in terms of minimalism versus décor/displayed items, but one thing is true for everyone: It’s not worth it to keep things we don’t love. Something as simple as drinking your morning coffee is much more enjoyable when you can grab a handmade mug you adore rather than whatever cup you ended up with from a gas station three years ago. Donate things you don’t really like and keep only the possessions that make you smile. Eliminate clutter stations: Daily life seems to produce a few places especially prone to gathering clutter. Maybe it’s your dining room table, your front entry or the desk in your bedroom. First, take a week to do nothing but observe. What ends up tossed in these clutter zones and why? Is it because you don’t have a place where these things belong (after all, hanging a jacket on a coat rack is just as easy as tossing it on the table)? Is

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Delightful Décor Texture tips: Incorporating a variety of textures is a designer trick to both create visual interest and invoke calm. Choose a combination of natural fabrics and materials to help create a home environment that is interesting, natural and soothing. Consider nubby hemp or burlap fabrics, smooth polished wood or stone, plush rugs, woven baskets and earthy pottery. Whenever possible, eschew manmade materials such as plastic, vinyl and fiberboard in favor of textures derived from nature: wood, stone, clay, paper and cloth. Choose things you love: My neighbor is an artist and a potter, and he makes beautiful handcrafted mugs. Last year I started collecting these, which I now use for coffee, tea and wine rather than the cheapo plain glasses I got from some big-box store. Now every time I drink my tea, I can admire the little nuances in shape and color, the feel of the clay, the way the glaze dripped naturally down the side before it was fired. This adds an extra layer of dimension to my experience, making it more enjoyable. Choosing items we love—and owning fewer items—is a way to insert a level of mindfulness into our possessions, helping us slow down and take notice of the joy in everyday moments. Linens as décor: Linens feel and look soft and comforting, and incorporating them into our homes as décor accomplishes several things: First, we’re using functional décor, meaning we don’t have to waste storage space stashing these useful items, and we don’t need to spend money on other décor. Second, it gives a very good reason to invest in quality linens, which will make every day feel more luxurious. In the bathroom, a basket or set of shelves with beautiful rolled towels will help it feel spa-like and ensure you ditch the six ratty, mismatched towels in favor of a set of matching towels you chose because you love how they look and feel. In guest bedrooms, a set of nice towels and extra blankets looks beautiful stacked in a chest, basket or wardrobe, and helps guests feel they have everything they need.

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Soothe the transitions: Walking out of a room with pale and neutral colors and natural fabrics and into a midcentury modern one filled with bold colors and industrial textures can be jarring. Of course your entire home doesn’t need to match, but consider continuity and flow as you move from one space to the next. Incorporating a few similar colors and textures from room to room can achieve cohesion and help it feel like the whole space moves together.

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around THE HOME

Please Your Senses Lots of plants: Studies have found that being around houseplants can improve everything from concentration and memory to recovery from illness or surgery. Research also shows that children who spend time around plants experience enhanced learning abilities. Keep lots of plants in the house and you will reap many benefits. In bloom: Did you know that having fresh-cut flowers in the house is scientifically proven to increase feelings of compassion and kindness; reduce anxieties and worry; and boost energy and happiness? That’s all according to a behavioral research study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School. Grow your own flowers to pluck for fresh weekly bouquets, or get in the habit of buying a bunch from your farmers market. When it’s not the height of flower season, replace your fresh bouquet with seasonal items from nature—for example, an evergreen bough, a sprig of holly or a sculptural branch in a clay pot. Bring outdoors in: Making our homes feel connected with the outdoors, even when we’re inside, is one of the best things we can do to bring a sense of calm into a space. If you’re building or remodeling, consider folding walls that open spaces to the outdoors; corner windows, a Frank Lloyd Wright technique to help create the illusion of being part of the scenery; covered patios and decks; and outdoor rooms that mirror indoor ones. If you’re not making major changes, you can still enhance your interior’s connection with the outdoors: Hang eye-catching items within view of your windows to draw your eye outdoors—think a brightly colored bird feeder, an ethereal solar lantern or a brightly painted garden bench; decorate inside with potted versions of plants in your garden to help create continuity between indoors and out; and decorate with items from nature—e. g., a bowl of rocks collected from trips you’ve taken or a set of bud vases filled with interesting twigs or feathers. Water ways: Science has found that the sounds of water really do calm the mind, thanks to our brain’s interpretation of them as a “non-threat,” which it can use to block out alarming noises. Especially if you live somewhere like an urban apartment where noise pollution is hard to avoid, consider bringing the sound of water into your home to mask jarring noises and increase calm. Of course you can simply play the sound of water, but incorporating real water can be more soothing—and can help maintain natural humidity indoors, too. A variety of stores offer free-standing fountains that range in price from $30 to hundreds of dollars. Visit wayfair. com and search “indoor fountains” for several lovely options. “Welcome home” scent: One beautiful way to welcome ourselves home and instantly signal our brains to relax is to create a “welcome home” scent. Choose some of your favorite scents, then put them in a reed diffuser or a bowl of potpourri set just inside the door. As you walk in and smell your home’s signature fragrance, you’ll feel the first sensations of serenity wash over you. Refresh diffusers or potpourri monthly.

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around THE HOME

Essential oil diffuser: A calming scent can instantly relax the mind and lift the spirits. We have several good options when it comes to scenting our homes—but be sure to avoid synthetic fragrances (air sprays, plug-ins, etc.) as these contain irritating and potentially carcinogenic chemical ingredients. Instead, use the scents of nature. One of the easiest ways is to combine 20 to 30 drops of essential oils in a spray bottle, fill it with water and a dash of witch hazel, and spray as desired. If you wish to infuse your whole home with scent, consider electric, candleor reed-based essential oil diffusers, easy to find online or in health-food stores. Nature sounds: According to a recent study by researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, playing nature sounds in offices boosts mood and improves cognitive abilities. Harness those feelings at home, too, with the sounds of nature. Of course you could pipe in nature sounds, but at home you might be able to enjoy the real thing. A few ideas: Open windows; plant rustling tall native grasses near windows; attract birds with feeders or birdhouses; and install water features near windows. Clean with spa scents: Remember those old Pine-Sol commercials that said the smell of Pine-Sol was the smell of clean? We quickly come to associate the scents of cleaning products with cleanliness. Of course today we know that the chemical fragrances of commercial cleaners aren’t good for us. Instead, invoke a sense of cleanliness by using spa scents when you clean. A mix of lavender and peppermint might be a good fit, but you could use whatever scent you like. Mix a few drops of essential oil with white vinegar and hot water in a bucket, then use it to mop the floors. Your whole house will smell like a day at the spa.

Light It Right Let in the sun: Sunlight makes any home cheerier, and getting plenty of light throughout the day helps align our circadian rhythms, making it easier to feel energetic during the day and get high-quality sleep at night. Of course opening windows and shutting off electric lights during the day is the first step, but a few other ideas might also help brighten your home. If privacy is a concern, opt for translucent shades or curtains that hide details but let in light. Also consider the use of mirrors in your décor—interior designers use this trick all the time. An appropriately placed mirror can help bounce sunshine into dark corners. You might also consider tubular skylights, less expensive skylights that funnel sunlight into specific areas. If you’re remodeling or building, try clerestory windows—highset windows that admit light but don’t affect privacy. The right lights: When it comes to lighting our homes at night, the lights we choose can make a big difference. Blue-toned lights are the most invigorating, making them a poor choice for a relaxing evening atmosphere. Instead, at night try lights with pink or red undertones, which are more soothing. Some studies have found that wearing blue-blocking sunglasses indoors at night impedes the capacity of bright light to suppress melatonin production, which interferes with quality sleep. Embrace firelight: We didn’t evolve with electric lights, and before the days of Thomas Edison, we relaxed at home to the soothing light of fire. It’s old-fashioned, but you might be surprised at the instant calm you feel when you let candles and lanterns replace bright lights and overhead glare as you relax in the evening. Try listening to music, chatting, singing songs, taking a bath, drinking tea or eating dinner under the flicker of firelight. You might never go back.

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Combine essential oils in a small glass vial. To use in an aromatherapy candle diffuser, place five drops of the blend into the diffuser cup along with approximately 1 ounce of water. —Laurel Vukovic

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ski maryland A few picks for local cross-country skiing opportunities story by Tripp Laino

PHOTO Shutterstock

Get outside this winter by checking out some nearby cross-country skiing trails.

sk Andy Nichols to describe the experience of cross-country skiing, and he gets poetic. “It’s like flying without wings—it’s gliding, smoothly, silently, other than the shoosh of the snow a little.” Nichols, an avid cross-country skier and owner of Shenandoah Mountain Guides, teaches backpacking, hiking and rock climbing. While less popular than downhill skiing, the cross-country variety is a lot more accessible, according to Clyde Hicks, owner of the Trail House in Downtown Frederick. Though the Trail House doesn’t rent skis, it does sell the equipment; a set of skis with bindings, boots and poles runs about $300, well below the cost of downhill skiing gear. “We love getting people outside all times of the year,” Hicks says. “I think if you like being outside, walk or run or bike, it’s pretty translatable. We joke if you can walk you can cross-country ski ... but you want to do more than walk, because the fun of cross-country skiing is the glide — you want to glide on your skis.” You might think you have to travel to find places suitable to crosscountry ski, but there are many opportunities to strap on your skis in and around Frederick County. With plenty of locations easy to reach from Frederick, Nichols and Hicks recommend a few favorites.

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“You’d swear you’re in the woods of New Hampshire or Maine.” –Andy Nichols

Catoctin Watershed “In the watershed, there’s potential for miles and miles of skiing,” Nichols says. “It’s used for mountain biking and hiking in the summer, spring and fall, but in a normal year you can reliably cross-country ski up there sometimes from late November through March.” The watershed has some elevation—Nichols estimates it at about 2,000 feet—so it’s colder and snowier than Frederick City tends to be. “The terrain is rolling, and there’s old homesites up there, but there’s a ton of abandoned road networks,” Nichols says. “It makes it great for cross-country mountain biking, but then cross-country skiing as well. It’s mostly just rolling through the woods. You’d swear you’re in the woods of New Hampshire or Maine.” Sand Flats, Frederick City Watershed “It has woods, it has glades, it has open meadows, it has ponds, it has streams,” Nichols says, rattling off the varied features that set the area apart as a destination for cross-country

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skiing. “It has pretty much a mix of everything, and you can just ski and explore, and if you get lost you can easily backtrack.” Hicks also enjoys that location, though he cautioned that in heavy snow years, you should bring a shovel and be prepared to dig out your parking spot. New Germany State Park (Grantsville, Maryland) “It’s less than two hours away,” Hicks says. “It’s in the woods, so it’s not necessarily great views, but there are trails around the creek that are kind of nice. It’s a cool little park, and they have a warming hut that has a fireplace in it.” Hicks says his favorite part about that location is the big change in weather as you head west. “Once you leave Cumberland, you start going uphill and go up onto a plateau, and the world changes out there,” he says. “That’s where the weather changes. It might be raining in Cumberland or Frederick, but on that plateau it’s a winter wonderland.”

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what we love right now food and drink, events and accessories around town

story by Christie Wiesniewski

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food&drink. one.

VOLT. HOT TODDY. The season of margaritas and mint juleps has come and gone, but not to worryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;winter drinks are here. One of Voltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s featured drinks for the season is a hot toddy made with cognac, aged rum, honey, lemon, ginger and Demerara sugar festively topped with a cloved orange and cinnamon stick. This drink is perfect after a chilly carriage ride on December Saturdays.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE) Bill Green, Shutterstock (3)

two. THE PERFECT TRUFFLE. SEASONAL TREATS. Sugar lovers should check out the maple caramel truffle or the pumpkin pie truffle at The Perfect Truffle. Both are offered exclusively for the season. For friends and family who have a sweet tooth, choose a custom assortment of artistically decorated truffles with modern, classic and seasonal flavors for a delightful holiday gift.

three. THE PERFECT TRUFFLE. HOT CHOCOLATE. Once there is a consistent chill in the air, The Perfect Truffle begins serving its Italian-style hot chocolate. This decadent beverage is thick and rich, and is served with housemade chocolate-covered marshmallows.

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events. one. VOLT. SNOWMAGEDDON. What better way to beat cabin fever than slipping on a heavy coat and heading over to Volt for some food and drinks after the blizzard? Snowmageddon is a Volt tradition that happens only when a big snowstorm hits—just be sure to follow Volt on Facebook or Instagram to see when it happens. While the rest of downtown is quiet and blanketed in snow, Volt welcomes bundled customers for discounted food. No reservations required!

two.

During December, every Saturday is First Saturday downtown. This means all-day activities, free trolley rides, holiday lights, live music, and maybe even a Santa sighting. These Saturdays are a fantastic opportunity to get in the holiday spirit while checking off your gift list. Reward yourself after a long day of shopping with some hearty food from one of downtown’s many restaurants.

three. SMOOCH! STUDIO. SHOW YOURSELF SOME LOVE. The holiday season can many of us feeling frazzled and exhausted after it’s all over, but since 2013, Smooch! Studio has developed a way to help. Around Valentine’s Day, this exclusive event allows 20 ladies to get a makeup application lesson, a mini manicure, a personalized makeup package deal, and so much more. Smooch! partners with other local businesses to offer the ultimate day of pampering. And yes, it includes a wine tasting. Call (301) 694-5477 to pre-book.

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PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT) Shutterstock, Douglas Via, Shutterstock, Douglas Via

DECEMBER SATURDAYS.

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accessories. one. CRÈME DE LA CRÈME. OLD ST. NICK COLLECTION BY VIETRI. This year, toast the season with handcrafted dishware from Crème de la Crème. Vietri’s Old St. Nick dishware has been a bestselling holiday collection for the past 10 years and offers everything from mugs perfect for a hot chocolate to serving dishes that are just right for that green bean casserole.

two.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE) Bill Green (3), Shutterstock

SIMPLIVEFY. TEMPAPER TEMPORARY WALLPAPER. If you love the seasonal trend of mixed metals and textures but don’t want a permanent décor change, try SimpLIVEfy’s temporary wallpaper to suit all your decorative whims this winter. Set up a holiday vignette or add a festive touch to your home, then easily take it down when the holidays have come and gone.

three. URBAN COTTAGE. RECLAIMED WOOL FINGERLESS GLOVES. Want to keep your hands warm but don’t like the bulky feel of mittens? Urban Cottage offers these American-made fingerless gloves in patterns and designs to suit every taste. The inside is lined with soft fabric for ultimate comfort. Since they’re made from reclaimed wool, each pair is unique.

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Downsize your yard work, not your lifestyle

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a different kind of holiday nostalgia Find unique holiday shopping opportunities at Frederick antique stores

ew Market has long billed itself as the Antiques Capital of Maryland. Main Street is dotted with quaint shops such as 1812 House, Smith Tavern Antiques, and Fleshman’s Antiques. As the town has modernized and diversified, Frederick has emerged as an antiques hub in its own right.

story by Jeanne Marie Ford

Emporium Antiques Emporium Antiques first opened its doors in 1987 in a 55,000-square-foot historic building in the heart of Downtown Frederick. Today it houses 130 dealers and boasts customers from more than 60 countries. Collectors can find anything from books and paintings to china and silk. Longtime customer Don Lewis, stopping in from Baltimore to buy a gift for his father, notes that he’s visited antique malls throughout the country and even Christie’s in London. He believes that Emporium stands out because its dealers curate their offerings and change them frequently. At the same time, there is no snobbishness or sticker shock. “People trust that the staff here are knowledgeable,” he says. “And if they don’t know the answer, they’ll find the answer,” assistant manager Kathy Maxwell adds. “I would encourage anyone who wants excellent customer service and unique items to come here.”

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Great Stuff By Paul While many antique shops have a faintly musty aroma, Great Stuff By Paul has the feel of an upscale boutique. Since the store opened in 1997, it has been featured in national magazines and on HGTV and has furnished props for movies such as Gods and Generals and Seabiscuit. Much of the merchandise comes from China and Europe. While the original Carroll Street location will soon close, the larger 6th Street store will continue to showcase Paul’s great stuff. The Brass & Copper Polishing Shop Antique purchases sometimes need a little TLC to be returned to their former glory. In the midst of Frederick’s Antiques Row sits the Brass & Copper Polishing Shop, owned by Don Reedy for 44 years. He took over the business from his father, who opened the original store in 1952. Reedy polishes, lacquers, and repairs antiques. He also sells and restores antique lamps. “I’ve done it ever since I was 5 years old,” Reedy says. “I followed my father around, watched him do what he did, and grew up in the business.” He shares a picture of himself at age 8, hard at work on a polishing lathe. “I love what I do,” he says. “It’s not a passion, it’s an obsession.” Reedy has worked on many highprofile projects, including polishing White House doorknobs and windows, as well as a half mile of brass railings from the Harrisburg

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State Capitol. All were disassembled and brought to his shop by the National Park Service. “It’s a cool business when you see something coming in ugly and it goes out gorgeous,” he says. “That’s what keeps me going every day.” Vintage MC When Mindy Cawley began shopping for mid-century furnishings for her 1950s Frederick home, she struggled to find affordable pieces locally. Realizing there was a high demand in Frederick, she began selling her finds from a booth at Cannon Hill Place. When she’d built a large enough following, she opened an adjacent store in September 2017 specializing in mid-20th-century furnishings and accessories. “It started with a bigger boom than I expected and has continued to grow,” Cawley says. She notes that popular monthly barn sales at Chartreuse & Co. and Sweet Clover attract shoppers from out of town who proceed to make the rounds of other Frederick antique and vintage shops. Cawley puts in a plug for two of her favorite local stores, Bailey’s Treasures and Gathered Goods. “I’ve been very fortunate,” she says. “It’s a great place to have a business like this because Frederick is very supportive of small businesses, which means a lot to us.”

Holiday Decorating Antiques can evoke a sense of cozy nostalgia for the holidays. Joan Berkowitz, co-owner of Great Stuff By Paul, has an extensive background in design. While decorating comes naturally to her, she has come to realize that others often need help. She demonstrates how a red bow added to a boxwood or magnolia wreath can make it festive for the holidays. A red lacquered Chinese basket filled with pinecones and greenery is transformed into Christmas décor. Pillar candles and garlands can dress up trays and baskets. Leaded glass chandelier crystals make unique tree ornaments. Tiny bottle brush trees provide a whimsical accent in any room. Great Stuff By Paul also sells products by Michel Design Works, from soaps to napkins to kitchen towels, many with holiday motifs. Customers buy antiques all year long to give as gifts, Berkowitz notes. Popular holiday finds at Emporium Antiques include vintage ornaments and toys, as well as silver and silver-plated items. “If you want to decorate for the holidays, you can come here and find almost anything you need,” says Kathy Maxwell of Emporium Antiques. She adds that if customers are looking for something in particular, dealers will try to track it down for them. At Vintage MC, collectors snap up aluminum Christmas trees and ornaments from the 1950s, as well as light-up ceramic Christmas trees. Owner Mindy Cawley shares a tip: Rather than heading to the big-box stores for post-holiday sales, auctions are a great place to find bargains on holiday wares. Don Reedy, owner of Brass & Copper Polishing Shop, notes that many of his customers bring in doorknockers for polishing at Christmastime. Curb appeal is important, he says. “Everybody looks at something shiny.”

NO PLACE

L I KFORETHEH O ME HOLIDAYS Home decor tips and trends from a few of the homeowners featured in the 2018 Candlelight Home Tour

Story By Gina Gallucci-White Photographs by Bill Green

Gather some holiday decorating tips and inspiration from a few families who participated in this year’s Candlelight House Tour, which took place in early December.

117 East Third Street Bows were the design inspiration for Connie Martin’s home on East Third Street. Her Victorian-style home was built in 1901 and is known as a “tiara house” because of its bow windows topped with wrought-iron filigree. Martin emphasized a large holiday centerpiece on her kitchen table, part of a modern extension on the historic row house. Fusing historic architecture with modern amenities added to Martin’s overall décor style.

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216 Lindberg Avenue John D’Amore and Kate Costlow, a former professional dancer with the Cincinnati Ballet Company, leaned on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker for décor inspiration as they decked their 1934 brick colonial home at 216 Lindbergh Ave. Costlow had never decorated around this theme before but thought it would be fun to have a ballet wonderland for the tour. Décor elements included an impressive collection of dance and theater memorabilia featuring 18th- and 19th-century ballerinas and autographs from famous dancers, as well as a shadow box with a dancer’s costume and a bronze statue of a dancer cast by Antonio Tobias “Toby” Mendez, a Marylandbased sculptor. The couple love to decorate with fresh greens every year, from putting up a live tree, to placing garland on the stairway and on the dining room table. Instead of traditional white and pink for ballerinas, the dance theme incorporated the colors of a peacock.

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300 Dill Avenue Three years ago, Jenny McGinnis and her husband, Dave, moved back to the city after years spent in Jefferson. The couple purchased a 100-year-old house when they moved back, and this holiday season they focused the home’s decoration on heirlooms and keepsakes from family generations. The antique piano is a keystone to the home. It once belonged to Jenny McGinnis’ grandmother. Décor include an antique Singer sewing machine, the grandfather clock her grandfather made many years ago, her grandfather’s ice skates, an antique sled, and family photographs in antique frames. One of the Christmas trees in the home is dedicated to McGinnis’ great-grandmother’s Christmas ornaments and icicles. The home features the original fireplace and mantle, which fuels McGinnis’ overall decorating style. “I don’t decorate so that you have to be careful,” McGinnis says. “I decorate so that [visitors] will have a warm feeling when they walk in, a comfortable feeling.”

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As the

Wood Turns

Artisan woodcraft offers natural appeal

Story by Karen Peacock

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Photos by Bill Green

aryland woodturner Mike Cruz lives on a horse farm outside of Boonsboro and has been a woodworker since he was a boy. After studying philosophy in college, he was drawn to working with his hands, so he spent five years at a company building furniture, cabinets, and other custom woodwork. Today at his farm, he maintains a woodshop. His shop has two lathes, or machines designed to spin wood at high speeds so it can be shaped with handheld tools. One of his lathes is for small pieces, such as decorative ornaments and pens, and the other he uses to create plates and bowls with a diameter of up to 28 inches. In 2010, Cruz started taking woodturning seriously. After only two or three years, he began selling his work at juried shows including the Frederick Festival of the Arts, Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, Bethesda Row Arts Festival, Boonsborough Days, and Columbia Fine Arts Festival. He says he struggles to keep up with inventory. That’s a good problem for any artist. Woodturning is an ancient art. Around 1300 B.C., Egyptians used a two-person strap lathe, and turned wooden bowls have been found in ancient Roman and Viking settlements. Eventually, foot pedals and horses were employed to offer power to the tool. Lathes were motorized during the Industrial Revolution. Though the tools have improved, the basic processes remain the same. Woodturners rough out a workable piece of wood and let it dry so that moisture is removed in a controlled manner. This process can take up to a year, but using a kiln can speed it up. After the wood has been dried, the artisan will re-turn the object, and then sand and finish it. Today, professional woodturners and hobbyists alike create everything from bowls, platters, and burial urns to canes, candlesticks, and kaleidoscopes. Cruz likes wood with lots of figure, the term for color patterns such as bird’s eye, ambrosia, feathering and spalting. The coloration of a wood is determined by fungus present in living trees or after the wood has been turned.

Cruz points out a bowl he’s been working on made of box elder wood. The wood is white with streaks of red that indicate trauma. He says the streaks will fade to brown as it’s exposed to UV light, similar to what happens to hardwood floors, which lighten after years of sun exposure. “Fifty bowls could be made from the same tree and look the same,” he says. “I’m not interested in that. I’m interested only in the figured grain patterns.” He generally uses local wood such as walnut, cherry, and ash from trees that have fallen after a storm or ones an arborist has taken down. Cruz especially enjoys working with burl—a growth on the side of a tree caused by insects, bacteria, or other trauma—and he buys it by the trailer load. He’s not alone in admiring these artistic effects. David Swiger, a Jefferson-based woodworker, agrees. “Burled hard maple is stunningly beautiful, and I love natural edges,” Swiger says. Swiger usually finds his wood by word of mouth. As the president of the Mid-Maryland Woodturners Club (MMWTC) in Frederick, he gets a lot of calls about downed trees. If it’s a meaningful tree, he might create a gift. After a cherry tree fell at a church, he fashioned collection bowls and a communion vessel for the congregation. “I let the wood talk to me and tell me what it wants,” he says. Swiger retired from his career as a naval combat systems engineer in 2004. He then started Swiger WoodWorks, where he built cabinetry, doors, furniture, and high-end custom woodworking benches. The benches were in such high demand he was working six or seven days a week. “My wife encouraged me to retire again,” he jokes. After his “second retirement” in 2010, he focused on woodturning. Four years later, he began participating in juried shows. Swiger now attends fewer shows, but he opens his workshop to the public during the annual Valley Craft Network Tour. Two weeks after that event he holds another open house, and he sells from his shop

OPPOSITE Mike Cruz holds a large bowl he created on the lathe in his shop near Boonsboro. His is seated in the midst of a large selection of maple logs he uses in his woodcraft..

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by appointment only. Swiger also takes part in MMWTC woodturning demos at the Frederick Festival of the Arts and Oktoberfest at Schifferstadt. He feels these events are important because it’s often the only chance kids have to see this kind of work. Swiger makes it a point to keep learning. He’s always looking to incorporate new techniques and styles through workshops and experimentation. When wood doesn’t have much grain, he likes to use specialized methods like the Lichtenberg effect. With this process, fractal patterns are created by running a strong electric current through dampened wood. He’s also been meeting with woodturners Don and Harriet Maloney every Tuesday for the past four years. “They started as mentors,” he says. “Now it’s more of a collaboration. We push each other’s boundaries.” Advice for beginners Swiger recommends that those interested in woodturning join the MMWTC. All but one of the monthly meetings features a demo from an expert woodturner, and the club provides volunteer mentors at no charge. Yearly dues are only $30; for a more intensive experience, weeklong workshops are available for $850–$1,000. Cruz also suggests joining a club, finding a mentor, and taking classes. He notes that the supplies store Woodcraft of Rockville sometimes offers workshops. “I’m not a fan of learning from YouTube videos,” Cruz says. “Many of them show incorrect practices and teach bad habits.” Safety First Swiger has also seen some amateur videos that gave him pause, including people demonstrating the Lichtenberg effect without a rubber mat or gloves. He’s comfortable around electricity but respects its power.

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“If you talk to 10 different woodturners, they’re going to have 10 different ways of doing things. There is no ‘one way’ to turn,” Cruz says. But there’s agreement on certain safety precautions. The lathe can spin at a speed of 50 to 3,500 rpm, depending on the task at hand. A face shield is needed while roughing in the piece because chips—or even the whole project—can fly off the lathe. During finishing—when the fine detail is added after the wood has been seasoned and re-turned—it’s important to wear a face shield with a filter and forced air to keep dust out of the lungs. A dust collection system is also necessary so fine particles don’t remain in the air. And standing at an angle out of “the line of fire” –David Swiger, woodturner while turning is a must. Swiger once had a close call and was grateful that he follows best practices. “I was working on a piece with a hidden fracture that caused a large chunk to fly off,” Swiger says. “If I’d been standing directly in front, I would have been killed.”

“I let the wood talk to me and tell me what it wants.”

The Future of Woodturning Swiger says that most members of MMWTC are recently retired. It takes time to learn the art of woodturning, and it’s not a cheap hobby. A small beginner’s lathe goes for about $1,000. Though Cruz stops short of calling it a disappearing art, he points out that the average age of woodturners is about 70. Many turners say they loved woodworking and woodturning in high school and returned to it after retirement.

ABOVE LEFT David Swiger holds a spalted maple calabash vase in his Jefferson woodworking shop. ABOVE RIGHT A small, natural edged bowl created by Swiger. OPPOSITE Woodworker David Swiger turns a spalted maple calabash vase in his expansive woodshop near Jefferson. He is the president of the Mid-Maryland Woodturners Club.

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backstory MARYLAND WOOD ARTIST THOMAS STERNER Westminster-based artist’s work offers a warm look at nature

One of the many pleasures of visiting Frederick’s NOMA Gallery is the work of co-op member Thomas Sterner. His sculptures and low-relief woodcarvings combine craftsmanship with thoughtfulness, and often a sense of humor. Sterner has been carving wood since 1984 after moving to Westminster. Upon graduating from college, he taught printmaking and worked as a master printer. “I liked the etching plates as much as the prints they produced,” Sterner says. “That attraction to low relief in the zinc plate led to wood.” Sterner’s passion for trees is reflected in his choice of materials and subject matter. Images of forests, leaves, sprouts and roots abound in his work. He credits time spent backpacking and rock climbing as an inspiration. Sterner worked at Laser Applications in Westminster for 33 years as an engineer, project manager and estimator. He says his time there helped to hone his problem-solving skills. He was a member of the Artists Gallery in Frederick from 1988 through 1994 where his artistic talents and craftsmanship evolved. Since 2014, Sterner has worked as a full-time artist. He also teaches classes in woodcarving and in the construction of pizza ovens. He recently received a commission for “Sprouts,” a steel sculpture that will be installed on Main Street in Westminster. To view more of his work, visit SternerArtFactory.com.

story by Karen Peacock

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