Tag: one-of-a-kind wood art

  • The Real Story Behind Handmade Wood Art

    The Real Story Behind Handmade Wood Art

    (And Why Your Home Needs It)

    Ever pass by a pile of discarded furniture on the curb and think, “what a waste”?

    Yeah… we don’t either. We think, “Ooh, potential.”

    At Sarkanys Rising, we believe handmade means heart-made — and it starts with materials that others overlook. Our workshop is filled with reclaimed wood, rescued relics, and offcuts from mills that didn’t quite meet factory standards. But to us? They’re treasures.

    Where Sustainable Craftsmanship Really Begins

    We’re lucky to work with two incredible small businesses who see that potential too:

    Cook Woods – especially their “Salvaging What Others Throw Away” philosophy – gives us access to exotic and domestic hardwoods that would otherwise be discarded. These aren’t your typical lumber yard finds; we’re talking about character-rich pieces with stories already written in their grain.

    Woodworkers Source – or as we call it, the Tucson playground of possibilities – has this magical $1.99 bin. (Dawn can’t help but organize it while simultaneously loading up hundreds of dollars worth of wood “for future projects.” Rex has learned to just smile and nod at this point.)

    Together, they help us bring sustainable craftsmanship to life, one rescued piece at a time.

    What Handmade Wood Art Really Means

    Here’s the thing: handmade doesn’t mean slapping a name on something pulled off an assembly line.

    It means starting with the right piece of wood — the one that asks to be something special. It means running our hands (and hearts) across every surface. It means Rex spending hours coaxing a bowl into existence because the grain decided to surprise him mid-turn.

    We do have a laser and a CNC in the shop — but they’re assistants, not artists. The wood makes the difference.

    Custom Craftsmanship vs. Mass Production

    True custom craftsmanship starts before the first cut is made. It begins with understanding the wood’s story – where it came from, how it lived, what it wants to become. Every piece of reclaimed walnut from that Phoenix backyard tree, every salvaged mesquite beam, every “imperfect” mill offcut has its own personality.

    Mass production can’t do that. Factories don’t spend time listening to wood grain or adjusting their process because this particular piece of cherry has a knot that could become a beautiful focal point instead of a flaw to route around.

    Why Reclaimed Wood Makes Better Art

    When you work with reclaimed materials, you’re not just being environmentally conscious (though that’s a beautiful bonus). You’re working with wood that has character, history, and stories to tell.

    That dining table made from barn wood? It remembers decades of harvests and family gatherings. The cutting board crafted from urban lumber? It watched over someone’s backyard for generations before becoming part of your kitchen story.

    New wood is lovely, but reclaimed wood has lived.

    The Handmade Difference in Your Home

    At its core, handmade is about connection. Between wood and maker. Between maker and you. Between your family and the piece that’ll become part of your story.

    When you bring one of our pieces into your home, you’re not just buying décor. You’re giving your house a handmade hug. One that’s warm, storied, sustainable — and a little cheeky, just like us.

    Love the story? Share it with a friend who still thinks “handmade” just means “expensive.” 😉

    As always, we’re here if you have questions or just want to chat about wood. Thanks for being part of our journey.

  • Why Collectors Say It’s Better Than Mass Produced

    There’s a soul to this stuff.

    Ever notice how something just feels different when it’s made by hand?

    You hold it, and you can tell. It’s not just that the wood is smoother or the resin swirls are mesmerizing—it’s that it has a soul. That’s not marketing fluff. It’s the truth we hear time and again from our collectors.

    So what makes handcrafted pieces like ours worth collecting, even more than their mass-produced lookalikes? Let’s talk about it.

    Handmade Means Every Piece is Truly Unique

    We don’t hit “start” on a machine and walk away.

    We work with wood that has history, resin that dances differently every time, and shapes born from scrap that no factory could predict. Even our “sets”—like our walnut and maple kitchen tools or teak desk accessories—aren’t twins. They’re more like siblings. Matching? Absolutely. Identical? Never.

    Take our resin work, for example. Each pour swirls differently. The way purple meets gold in one pen will never happen exactly the same way in another. When Rex works with reclaimed wood, every cut reveals something new—a hidden grain pattern, a story written in the rings.

    And that’s the beauty of it. Real collectors know it’s the one-of-a-kindness that makes a piece special.

    Collecting Isn’t Just for Millionaires Anymore

    Not everyone can afford 800 Warhols. (Heck, most of us can’t afford one!) But building your own collection of functional art—tools you use every day that are also beautiful and made to last—that’s something achievable. And deeply personal.

    Many of our collectors start with one piece. A pen that writes like butter. A bottle stopper that makes them smile every time they open wine. A rolling pin that makes baking feel special again.

    Then they come back. Not because they have to, but because they want more of that story. That feel. That connection to something real.

    The Real Difference: Handmade vs Factory Made

    We’re not here to bash mass production—some of it’s actually quite nice. But here’s the thing: what we make isn’t just better, it’s different in ways that matter.

    Here’s how that stacks up:

    Pen & Pencil Sets

    Ours: Honduran Mahogany & Gold – One-of-a-kind grain patterns, each pen unique in its shimmer and feel


    Theirs: Bamboo and stainless steel, laser-engraved with company logos. Every single one identical to the thousands before it.

    End Grain Cutting Boards

    Ours: Maple & Walnut Checkerboard – Thick, sturdy, heirloom-quality with hand-selected wood


    Theirs: Larger but thinner, unknown wood source, inconsistent finishing

    Rolling Pins

    Ours: Maple & Walnut with Ball Bearings – Hand-selected wood with precision movement, buttery smooth operation


    Theirs: Solid maple but quality varies—some even develop cracks before they’re sold

    Cheese Knives

    Ours: Walnut & Maple Handles with Stainless Steel – Designed to complement other pieces in your collection


    Theirs: Italian olivewood, “made by hand” in China, with advertised pieces that aren’t actually included

    Cabochons for Jewelry

    Ours: Resin Scrap Cabochons – Handcrafted from our workshop scraps, each with unique color blends and sustainable story


    Theirs: Machine-shaped plastic, completely uniform, no variation between pieces

    Each piece we make has texture, character, and story. Their counterparts? Predictable, polished, and everywhere. We are by no means perfect; but our imperfections loan a human beauty to our pieces (and if it breaks we have THE return policy for it!)

    Why This Matters

    Our pieces don’t come off an assembly line. They come from a workshop filled with sawdust, resin drips, coffee cups, and the kind of focused energy that only happens when someone truly cares about what they’re making.

    Rex brings 40+ years of woodworking experience to every piece. Dawn’s resin artistry turns our scraps into something magical. And when you buy from us, you’re not just getting an object—you’re getting a piece of that story.

    Starting Your Own Collection

    Here’s what we’ve learned from our collectors: start with something that makes you smile every time you use it. Maybe it’s a pen that feels perfect in your hand. A cutting board that makes cooking feel special. A bottle stopper that turns opening wine into a small ceremony.

    Then build from there. Match your kitchen pieces. Add to your desk setup. Create your own cohesive collection of beautiful, functional art.

    Want something similar to a piece you already own? Rex takes custom orders, and we’re always happy to work with you to create exactly what you’re envisioning. After all, the best collections tell a story—and we’d love to help you write yours.

    Ready to start your collection? Browse our complete selection of handcrafted desk tools, kitchen essentials, and functional art. Each piece is made to order with care, attention, and the kind of soul you just can’t get from a factory.

    As always, we’re here if you have questions or just want to chat about wood, resin, or what makes something truly special. Thanks for being part of our story.