320Sycamore

My Christmas houses are inspired by my grandfather. When he returned to Ohio after World War ll, he made a little Christmas village using an old cardboard beer case. Decades later I would get my Matchbox cars and play with the houses each December. The white sheet under our Christmas tree made a pretend snowy landscape.

My work is also inspired by the extraordinary old neighborhoods near my home in Columbus, and the enduring charm of winter and Christmastime on a snowy Midwestern street.

I dreamed of being an architect when I was a boy. I eventually found my way to Ohio University in Athens and the graphic design field. I was a news artist at a large newspaper nearly 25 years. Painstaking attention to detail remains my hallmark as a designer and craftsman.

My designs and processes have evolved over many years. My houses are handmade using archival paper and ground glass glitter. I am a discerning artist and thus never satisfied with paint right out of the bottle. I mix all of the colors myself. You might see some very minor variations when comparing your house to the photographs in my shop.

Please place your houses high on the tree or mantle if you have young children. They are sturdier than you might think but they are not toys. The flags on the schools are made with straight pins that could injure children. The ground glass glitter is similar in texture to sand. It has never irritated my fingers, but it's definitely not intended for little mouths.

I am honored that my houses might be a part of Christmas in your home, or perhaps you are considering them as a gift for someone special. Thank you.