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Always wanting to try something different, this is the place to see my experiments, my travels, my successes, and my "learning mistakes."

You can see all of my posts by following me on https://www.instagram.com/aliciadietzstudios/

Delivery day!!!! (Well, like 3 weeks ago, but it's been crazy town in the shop lately, so finally getting around to posting). This 11' two-person desk top has a speckled concrete front and ebonized walnut back. Soft close drawers, a hinged middle door, and custom back cable storage compartments make this a truly customized piece. It was so fun working with @departurepointfilms on this project... I cannot wait to see what incredible films they create on it. . . . . As always, thanks to @buddyrhodes for the incredible concrete products and @hackettenterprises for the beautiful wood! #furnituremaker #concretefurniture #furniture  #wood #studiofurniture #womeninwoodworking
while 15 years together is a randomly assigned significant period of time, it does give occasion to pause and reflect on some of the numbers that are a bit more meaningful… 8 to 6: ratio of medium roast coffee to water which brews the perfect pot, one that I looking forward to making for Ness almost every morning 14: times we’ve piloted a helicopter together (technically, this is more than15 years ago, but I'm still counting it because, really, how many people get to say they flew Blackhawks with their future partner) 4,672 (this is practically once per day): times we've discussed our communication problem and the tactical approaches we’ve come up with to alleviate future difficulties 7.9%: our success rate in resolving these communication issues ;-) 2: times we’ve been to Rome (we kinda missed the Sistine Chapel the first time) 1: number of eyes rolls I'm going to get for this final stat... 0: number of people outside this living room with whom I want to traverse this path called life . . . . . #lovewins #womenempowerinwomen #womeninwoodworking #womenownedbusiness #womenowned #veterans
How inventive have you had to get in order to fit some pieces in your shop? I'm practically standing on my head to take this photo of the 11' long, two-person desk. I think for better efficiency moving around the shop, I'll bring in a mini trampoline, a tightrope to walk across, and an auto mechanics roller cart to slide under it. I'm getting really good at my Dukes of Hazard moves sliding across the table saw to get around the desk corner though :-) . . . . #furnituremaker #concretefurniture #furniture  #wood #studiofurniture #womeninwoodworking
You know it's a good day when you get to pick through piles and piles like this to find the perfect boards for your next 4 projects. It's a furniture makers playground at @hackettenterprises. Trees in this truckload will make a community gathering table, a small desk, an Airstream dining table, and quite a few blanks for my upcoming spoons and kitchen utensils classes @visartsrva. As a bonus, I always team up with my pal, @sallieplumleystudio . . . . . . #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #lumberrun #liveedgetrees #liveedgefurniture #likekidinacandystore
The shop's been bustling with concrete... Adding some artistic flare to the 2-person desk top with some graphite concrete sprinkled in before I pour titanium white over top. . . . . #concrete #concretefurniture #furniture  #wood #studiofurniture #design #moderndesign
Concrete countertops are in! The Buddy Rhodes GFRC mix is killer and Fishstone's U-Seal is terrific! Every time I walk into the kitchen, I smile. We've come a long way from the 1950's mint green formica (original counter shown in the last photo)!! A huge thanks to the boys for getting the corner piece in. @daniel_rickey_furniture @bruindesign , and @_polosko_ thank you!!!!!! @buddyrhodes @fishstoneinc . . . .  #concrete #concretecountertop #gfrc #buddyrhodes #fishstoneinc
Always be knolling :-) . . . . . #knolling #alwaysbeknolling #woodworking #woodworkertools #handtools
Rolled into Aberdeen, SD last night after 4 days on the road through the Polar Vortex with Michelle Obama to keep me company. Her voice is one of soul, sincerety, and strength. I got to stay and laugh with lifelong friends and family along the way. This weekend, I am setting up a solo show at Northern State University. You can say this is an ideal way to start my 41st year :-) . . . . . #overthehill #whathill? #lifelongfriends #michelleobama #inspiration #landscape
While waiting for concrete to cure (which is like waiting for paint to dry and water to boil at the same time), got good news that I'll be spending 2 weeks with the incredible @markmelonas @penlandschool this summer. Come join us! It is unreal what you will learn!!!! . . . . . @penland_wood #concrete #wood #craft #moldmaking #penlandschoolofcraft #penland #craftschoolexperience
Scub-a-dub-dub. Concrete is out of their molds and getting their baths. Some light polishing and these puppies are as smooth as a baby's bottom. . . . .  #concrete #concretecountertop #gfrc #buddyrhodes
Mixing, measuring, and making, oh my! Samples for the kitchen color scheme. Over 300 lbs of concrete got mixed and poured.... Good news is I don't need to go to the gym for a few days. Love when I get knock out some bicep curls and squats in the process of making. Now I'm heading in for a beer ;-) . . . .  #concrete #concretecountertop #gfrc #buddyrhodes
For me, it's all about the process. I love it when a process shot is just as romantic as the finished piece. These moments also make me so grateful for my studio and the sun that rushes in through the trees. . . . . #sketchup #concrete #concretecountertop #gfrc #buddyrhodes
New year, new projects.... What better time than over the holidays to spruce up the kitchen? :-) (plus, I'm digging this whole concrete thing, so wanted an excuse to play). Sketch up designs of the 4 different molds that will make up the new concrete counters. Molds are put together, cauked, and ready for the pour. . . . . #sketchup #concrete #concretecountertop #gfrc #buddyrhodes
I'm 2 weeks late and $2 short on my 2018 project recap, but better late than never. Last year, I had the opportunity to work with some amazing clients - from Mary and David on their dining room table and chair set, SG Woodworks and their beautiful upholstery on the chairs,  Christine, Alex, and Chris at ZZQ on their personal story wall, the veterans of the Chez Center on their communal uniform flag, Mark and his yoda-like guidance in my new concrete adventures, and James and VAU sculpting a component of his moving fallen solider memorial. I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate and create to produce pieces that will live for a long time to come. And thanks to Justin for the beautiful photos.Thanks to you all!!!! @karnescoffey @zzqrva @markmelonas @lukeworks @therealjustinc @sgwoodrva @jamesace02 @rushvelo1 @vetsau . . . .  #handmade #woodworking #concreteart #furniture #interiordesign #concrete
Got to spend four evenings teaching an amazing group @visartsrva winter mini session. Santa's workshop was jammin' as we made cutting boards, cheese platters, M&M bowls, and more. And I think some of them may have caught the carving bug! Classes like this fuel my soul. Passing on my love of carving and this beautiful material of wood is a real high. . . . . #passthepassion #cuttingboards #woodworking #rvamakers #rvadesign #handmade #santashelpers
Fun accents tables highlight the connection between concrete and wood. I think it's the contrasting nature of these materials that I'm so attracted to... the precision and technical details that goes into woodworking and the concrete mold construction, and then how you have to give up control and let the flow of the sand and aggregate do it's things. There is a push and pull between these two materials that gives their union both tension and harmony. Isn't that life in a nutshell? Special thanks to @markmelonas and @buddy_rhodes for all the education in concrete! . . . . . #woodworking #endtable #sofatable #gfrcconcrete #buddyrhodes #woodworking #concretefurniture