Friday, May 22, 2015

Noblesville Times


Greg Adams of Noblesville has created this “love nest,” one of nine pieces on display through May at the Judge Stone House. Photo provided by Greg Adams


Greg Adams of Noblesville shows off his "love nest" made of corkscrew willow. The Times photo by Betsy Reason

Greg Adams calls it a "love nest."

Originally, it was going to be a day bed, but the space wasn't large enough.

The piece is among the Noblesville resident's handmade rustic willow furniture that is on display through May at the Judge Stone House on the Nickel Plate Arts Campus in downtown Noblesville.

Adams' pieces are part of Indiana Artisan's showcase of furniture and other home décor pieces at the campus, 107 S. Eighth St., Noblesville.

The "love nest" is made of corkscrew willow branches harvested from trees in Lapel area, where he has a store and furniture-making shop called Willow by Greg Adams. He spent about 10 hours creating the piece and it is for sale for $600.

He also showcases an interesting willow branch-framed mirror that is among a total nine pieces he has on display and for sale there.

So what's the perfect home for a "love nest" or other other willow furniture? "A great room," he said of the piece which can be adapted to almost any size space, as a "day bed" or an "incidental seating place."

Adams originally created the piece to rent out for weddings, "but I've found that people like this stuff for their home," he said.

"What I've seen is more people being interested in nature, wanting to bring nature inside," said Adams, 68.

The three-room exhibition features the work of six Indiana Artisan furniture makers. Other participants include: George Abiad, of Abiad Woodworking, Anderson; Pete Baxter, of Pete Baxter Woodworks, Seymour; Darin Caldwell, of Darin Caldwell Design, Tell City; Andy Cole, of Cole & Sons, Russiaville; and Peter Falk, of Falk Wood Studio, Cutler. Indianapolis-based interior designer Chip Kalleen designed the Indiana Artisan exhibition, which is accented by fiber and clay, wall hangings, rugs, hand-woven baskets, ceramics, glasswork, and paintings.

He said the other furniture makers at the showcase are more finished and more evolved. "But this, as you can see, is unrefined."

Adams said he uses his "imagination" and his "eye" for creativity to make the furniture. "The other guys (in the exhibit) use a lot of measurement and machining wood. I'm not like that. I use hand-eye coordination. If it doesn't fit, I start over. These guys, their stuff is based on perfection; if it's not perfect, it looks terrible. My stuff is very forgiving. But that's nature."

Adams said his business has maintained since he started making the furniture 32 years ago and opened his store 11 years later. He said people come from everywhere, all over the nation to see his pieces. "People are tired of the humdrum, stuff," Adams said. "I'm just as busy as I want to be. I'm very happy."



Want TO GO?

What: Indiana Artisan showcase of furniture and décor.

When: noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, through May 30.

Where: Judge Stone House, Nickel Plate Arts Campus, 107 S. Eighth St., Noblesville.

Info: http://nickelplatearts.org/

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