Deb and Rick Reis handcraft useful and beautiful artwork, mixing multiple medias to create unique gifts and decorations. Their items include clocks, desk accessories, frames, and jewelry, which each combine different natural wood and rocks. The wood and rock are cut and polished from raw materials to retain their natural beauty. They also produce Nantucket style baskets made out of reed or colored fishing line with hand made bases and handles.

Sometime in the late 1980's, Rick and Deb got fed up with the whole Christmas mall thing with the scramble around, buy something, give a gift just like everyone else was giving, and then have it returned. As a family, they decided that they would make gifts instead of buying them. That way nobody could return them. After a couple of years, the process became a lot more formal and they did the lottery where you could draw a name, and then were committed to making elaborate homemade gifts.

Rick and Deb’s planning always started in January. They would usually start with an idea, acquire any necessary tools, and then start working on the craft. As would be expected, there would almost always be failures because it was the first time making that item. They would read the books, but would usually think that they had found a better way to do something. Of course, once you start to master the skills required for a craft, then you don’t need to go to the mall for birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, graduations, etc.

Crafts to Rick and Deb are therapy and a diversion from their technical “day jobs” in Computer Science. Since becoming empty nesters, they are finding more time to pursue their passion for making handmade crafts. This passion for doing crafts led them to the Chester County Craft Guild (CCCG) where they met great people and got good advice and encouragement for their craft business. Rick and Deb have honed their skills in specific craft areas now, and they are very proud to be juried members of CCCG in woodworking, jewelry, and basketry.

Deb and Rick Reis, of Reis Renditions, live and work at their crafts in Charlestown Township, Chester County, PA.

Visit their website at www.reisrenditions.com

Members of The Creative Hand since 2008

First Pictured: Wood and Rock Letter Holder, Kabamba on Curly Maple ($48). The letter holder is specifically designed for important mail. This would include incoming checks, award notifications, wedding invitations, birth announcements, etc. Even if you don`t have these on a regular basis, there is a letter holder that would look stunning on your desk. The sections are in the shape of an open envelope. The rock accent is cut and polished from raw rock.

Second: Hex and Round Desk Clocks ($105 each). The design of the desk clock is to allow the user to easily tell the time while not requiring a numbered face. This allows the beauty of the wood to come through. The 12-segment design can be used with two or more different woods that create interesting patterns. Veneer is sometimes used between the segments as a highlight. These clocks are all unique.

Third: 6 inch Green Nantucket-style Fishing Line Basket ($120). The fishing line basket is an adaptation of a Nantucket-style basket. These baskets are made on a mold to establish the shape. The traditional baskets used reed with either reed or wood staves. Our staves are all wood for added strength. The adaptation with the fishing line allows a vibrant display of color along with the traditional techniques. The staves, handles and bases are also created in our wood shop.

Fourth: Large Wood and Rock Pendant - Malachite on Zebra wood with Sterling Silver chain ($58). After years of working with wood and rocks separately, I decided to combine them. Numerous woods look gorgeous with a variety of rocks. As I start cutting into the rocks, I am often surprised at what I find. After cutting and polishing the rocks, I match them with a complimentary wood. Many of these combinations work well with a variety of clothing by reflection of the color. This is due to the sheen from 10 polishing wheels.

Fifth: Wooden Pencil Cups ($28 each). The making of a pencil cup starts with the selection of the woods to be used. Some are made with a single wood, but most of them have at least several woods. Frequently, I find wonderful combinations with woods that I might not expect to go together. If I find that I am repeating combinations, I'll start adding additional kinds of woods to the mix. Therefore your cup is unique.

Sixth: Wooden Automagical Magnetic Picture Frames ($53 each). The design for the picture frame resulted from the frustration of dealing with the standard desktop frames. They had the flimsy cardboard stand and they don't look good from the back at all. I attached the one side of the frame with magnets and did the same between the frame and the stand to enhance the usability of a good-looking, strong picture frame. I also like to mix the woods, so not many of the frames will be a single wood. PATENT PENDING