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/

I can't believe all the work that came out of the @haystack_school wood studio over the past 2 days. These high school students are passionate, inquisitive, and willing to take risks. What an incredible weekend with them! Thank you, Paul, for the invitation. I am so grateful. . . . . . #haystack #haystackmountainschoolofcrafts #craftschoolexperience #crafts #spooncarving #spoons #woodenkitchen
You can't come to Haystack without taking the iconic photo. With the ocean breeze on my face and the smell of salt water in the air, this place and it's people are always a welcome sight . . . . . #haystackmountainschoolofcrafts #haystack #haystackschool #spooncarving #craftschoolexperience #crafts #oceanbreeze
Watching a carving take shape is exciting (and sometimes scary... just yesterday, you would have thought I was carving a turtle) :-) . . . . . #carving #sculpture #honorthefallen #memorialday #fallensoldiers #lifeafterwar #memorial #passion #militaryart #militaryartist #22kill #buddycheck22 #battlebuddies #rvaarts #rvaartist #richmondart #installation #art_we_inspire #craftwithhistory #craft#makersmovement #americanpride #oldglory#starspangledbanner
It was really hard not to be humming cadence all day... "Used to wear my faded jeans. Now I'm wearing Army greens."... Though I did take the liberty to switch it around today :-) got to love #runningcadence . . . . . #carving #sculpture #honorthefallen #memorialday #fallensoldiers #lifeafterwar #memorial #passion #militaryart #militaryartist #22kill #buddycheck22 #battlebuddies #rvaarts #rvaartist #richmondart #installation #art_we_inspire #craftwithhistory #craft#makersmovement #americanpride #oldglory#starspangledbanner
Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. – Michelangelo . . . . . #carving #sculpture #honorthefallen #memorialday #fallensoldiers #lifeafterwar #memorial #passion #militaryart #militaryartist #22kill #buddycheck22 #battlebuddies #rvaarts #rvaartist #richmondart #installation #art_we_inspire #craftwithhistory #craft#makersmovement #americanpride #oldglory#starspangledbanner
One more deal shot of the media console. The middle door sits in front of the two side doors and outside the main cabinet frame. Hidden sliding door hardware allows the door to slide almost magically... Wonder is so satisfying sometimes. . . . . . . thanks to the @therealjustinc for the beautiful photography. . . . . . #housetour #currentdesignsituation #interiordesign #modernhome #houselove #interior123 #bestmade #bestmadehandmade #walnut #original #modern #artisan #sourced #urbanlumber #joinery #casepiece #craftsmanship #mediaconsole #moderncontemporary #chicdesign #entertainmentcenter #urban #urbanliving #credenza #contemporary
Detail shot of the floatng top by @therealjustinc. I won't ramble on about the joy I get when running my fingers along the hand-planed bevel on the underside. Touch is one of my favorite parts of quality craftsmanship. . . . . . . #housetour #currentdesignsituation #interiordesign #modernhome #houselove #interior123 #bestmade #bestmadehandmade #walnut #original #modern #artisan #sourced #urbanlumber #joinery #casepiece #craftsmanship #mediaconsole #moderncontemporary #chicdesign #entertainmentcenter #urban #urbanliving #credenza #contemporary
Complete with three sliding doors, a floating top, and shelving perfect to fit your daily needs, this media console pairs form and function - and as a furniture maker, that's my favorite combination. Details like continuous grain patterns across the three doors, the selection of sliding door hardware that is as smooth as silk but naked to the eye, waterfall wrapped grain around the corners, and a hand-planed bevel under the top are the subtleties that I love. They are why I go into the shop each day. They are why a piece of handmade furniture is so personal, both to the maker and the owner - and then the owner's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren... #heirloomfurniture #whataconcept . . . . . . thanks to the @therealjustinc for the beautiful photography. #housetour #currentdesignsituation #interiordesign #modernhome #houselove #interior123 #bestmade #bestmadehandmade #walnut #original #modern #artisan #sourced #urbanlumber #joinery #casepiece #craftsmanship #mediaconsole #moderncontemporary #chicdesign #entertainmentcenter #urban #urbanliving #credenza #contemporary
On a short break from process photos, here a few shots of a media console I recently installed. The oak doors were carefully layed out so that the lighter sections would flow visually as fluid lines through all three doors after they were naturally ebonized. It's those little deals that a craftsman has to think about during the initial steps of design, lumber selection, milling, and layout that pay huge dividends after the final coat of finish is applied. Huge thanks to @therealjustinc for his beautiful photography. . . . . . #rvadesign #richmond #virginia #richmondva #richmondiscreative #richmondart #rvamakers#rvaart #visartsrva #mediaconsole#moderncontemporary #modernhome #chicdesign #walnut #entertainmentcenter #consoletable#endtable #coffeetable #modern #urban#urbanliving #credenza #contemporary#tvconsole #livingroom
The evolution of a table leg going from a cylinder to a spiral twist incorporates so many characteristics that I love about woodworking - pattern, process, rhythm, and, well, time. . . . . . #studiofurniture #fromtreetotable #walnuttable #moderndesign #handmadefurniture #customfurniture #custommade #diningtable #interiorinspiration #carving #turning #lathe #design #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomtable #madeinrva #benevolent #homedesign #vermontwoodworkingschool #urbanlumber #joinery #walnut #solid #craftsmanship
Laying out the barley twist on these spindle legs. Versions of the barley twist have been since almost 500BC. Serpent Columns of Greece, Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome all feature this iconic spiraling twist. It brings me such joy to continue traditions like this into the 21st century. While this dining table will be far from a classic Jacobian piece of furniture, these motifs will exude the ages of tradition and history that inspired it. . . . . . #studiofurniture #fromtreetotable #walnuttable #moderndesign #handmadefurniture #customfurniture #custommade #diningtable #interiorinspiration #carving #turning #lathe #design #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomtable #madeinrva #benevolent #homedesign #vermontwoodworkingschool #urbanlumber #joinery #walnut #solid #craftsmanship
It's not everyday that a professional film crew spends two days capturing studio life and the stories behind the art. Sharing my process and purpose is something I am truly grateful for. #HowCoolisThis #PrettyDamnCool . . . . . #behindthescenes #filmmaking #photography #photojournalism #militarylife #veteranart #veteranartist #veteran #woodworking #filmmaker #cameraman #moviemaking #cameracrew #filmmakinglife #artimitateslife #sculpture #carving #powercarving #craftwithastory #storytelling
Construction begins on the dining table with a mix of modern design and influences of the Jacobean style from the 16th century. The main legs are first turned on the lathe to get the traditional details on the top and base. While most of the shaping will be carved, it was nice to get on the lathe and do some traditional turning. Up next - my favorite activity - carving. :-) . . . . . #studiofurniture #fromtreetotable #walnuttable #moderndesign #handmadefurniture #customfurniture #custommade #diningtable #interiorinspiration #carving #turning #lathe #design #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomtable #madeinrva #benevolent #homedesign #vermontwoodworkingschool #urbanlumber #joinery #walnut #solid #craftsmanship
I remember sitting in my granny's living room at 913 Bedford Street as she taught me how to do bargello. We and I made dozens of projects like this heart frame over the years. I don't remember going to her house without sitting in front of the TV and stitching together. We did the designs on the packets for a little while, but what we enjoyed most was designing own patterns, picking our own colors, and seeing what came of it. She was the one who introduced me to craft. Her spirit is with me in every object that I make. (Luckily, my permed hairstyle is not) :-) . . . . . #tbt #grannysarethebest #craftfamily #historyofcraft #craft
Professional photography day with the generous and talented @therealjustinc . . . . . #photography #madebyhand #oneofakind #decor #woodart #finewoodworking #shoplife #dowoodworking #modernfurniture #diningtable #rvamakers #madeinrva #studiofurniture #fromtreetotable #contemporary #create #walnuttable #walnut #moderndesign #handmadefurniture #customfurniture #custommade #americancrafts #interiordesignideas #interiorinspiration
On to the next project.... A 9' walnut dining table and set of 10 chairs. After several productive design meetings and iterations on this table, we're all set to buy lumber and start making some sawdust. - - - - - #designsketching #furnituredesign #process #designprocess #design #sketchup #caddesign #craftsmanship #benevolent #reclaimedwood #reclaimedlumber #richmond #richmondva #richmondinteriors #furniture #timbercraft #veteranart #veteranartist #wood #authentic #interiordesign #homedesign #home #interiorarchitecture #interiordesigner
Uniforms tell the story of where we’ve been – of jungles and deserts; arctic tundra and barren landscapes; of high skies and high seas. They show our awards and hide our scars. They’ve been soiled with blood; with sweat; with tears. They’ve come out clean on the other side. Stories that shape the fabric of our experience, theirs are the threads that bind us. Through the telling of each, we are united as one. In the telling of the collective, We find our own. These are our stories. This is our story. With deepest thanks to those who donated their uniforms, and shared their stories. For all those who have worn the uniform. . . . . . #veteranartist #contemporarycraft#militaryartist #soldiertocivilian#veteranmade #veteranowned #veteran#madebyhand#madeinRVA #designermaker #veteranart #decor#madeinvirginia #madeinusa#studiofurniture #commissionedart#military #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #displaywithpride #veterans #service
A small section of the patchwork flag that I installed @woundedvetcenter. Thanks to all of those veterans who so generously donated their uniforms . . . . . #veteranartist #contemporarycraft#militaryartist #soldiertocivilian#veteranmade #veteranowned #veteran#madebyhand#madeinRVA #designermaker #veteranart #decor#madeinvirginia #madeinusa#studiofurniture #commissionedart#onewomanshop #vietnamveteran #vietnamwar #entrepreneurlife#smallbusiness #onewomanshow
This is the one and only shirt that James Roy Lev wore in Vietnam. He bled in it when his Huey was hit and his leg got tore up. He got paint on it when he helped the nurses paint the latrines at the 22nd surgical evac unit at Camp Eagle. And before his return plane ride home, the Army issued him a new uniform and jungle boots... The men were so battered and beaten that the military didn't want the new soldiers going to war to get scared because of the way the returning men looked, so they cleaned them up, put on new uniforms (of which they hadn't received in the previous 12 months), and shipped them home. This is just one of the many stories that are embedded in this patchwork flag. . . . . . #veteranartist #contemporarycraft#militaryartist #soldiertocivilian#veteranmade #veteranowned #veteran#madebyhand#madeinRVA #designermaker #veteranart #decor#madeinvirginia #madeinusa#studiofurniture #commissionedart#onewomanshop #vietnamveteran #vietnamwar #entrepreneurlife#smallbusiness #onewomanshow
Installing the patchwork flag @woundedvetcenter tomorrow. A little preview... this is the canton section of uniforms and clothing that was meaningful in service, through transition, and now in the civilian sector. . . . #veteranartist #contemporarycraft#militaryartist #soldiertocivilian#veteranmade #veteranowned #veteran#madebyhand#madeinRVA #designermaker #veteranart #decor#madeinvirginia #madeinusa#studiofurniture #commissionedart#onewomanshop #onewomanstudio#onewomanwoodworking #entrepreneurlife#smallbusiness #onewomanshow