David Calvin

You won’t see a “Please don’t touch” sign where David Calvin sells his custom furniture and fine accessories. In fact, he hand rubs varnish, oil finish and wax on every piece to invite customers to touch and feel his handcrafted wood art.

He’s been honing his designs and techniques for 40 years, and his interest in wood predates that.

“I have always had an interest in wood and woodworking,” says David, who holds a bachelor’s degree in wood science and technology. “After working in several jobs in the wood products industry, my longtime dream of making custom furniture became a reality 15 years ago.”

David sees a plank of wood much like a painter views a blank canvas. His eye is drawn to angles, subtle curves, and the way it reflects light.

“Because wood has different fiber direction and is cut in different planes in relation to the growth rings, the light reflecting from the surface can change with the viewing angle and the orientation of the grain,” he explains.

“A curly or wavy figure flipping from light to dark, depending on the direction you look at it, is an example,” David continues. “This provides design opportunities using grain orientation and rift-sawn, quarter-sawn and plain-sawn woods. By using angles like facets of a cut stone, the reflectance and grain changes. I incorporate this in boxes, box handles, clocks and trays.”

The Muncie resident uses Indiana woods, and no two pieces are alike. He might make more than one box or serving tray designed similarly, but different woods, pulls and colors make each piece one of a kind.

He credits his family’s love and support for his success as he looks to Indiana Artisan for opportunities in marketing, brand recognition and peer support.