Help me move my studio!

Summary:

Why: I just learned that I am being kicked out of my studio space!

Where: I have my eye on a post-war industrial building in Providence, RI with beautiful skylights, high ceilings and a loading dock.

What? I need to cover the cost of moving and building out the studio infrastructure. That includes electricity and utilities, building walls and partitions, setting up an office and installing a utility sink. Maybe even some air filtration!

My goal: I would like to raise $7500 to support a swift and strategic re-establishment of my studio in Providence, RI. This will really help me with this unexpected move and let me re-establish my shop space in a new building.


My Story

Hi my name is Miles.

Four years ago I made the decision to start my own business, doing custom furniture and woodwork while building up a studio in an old mill building in Providence, RI.

Working in the studio

The past four years have been a great learning experience, being able to develop both my own designs and practice my craft. I have made ends meet solely through designing and building furniture and other special projects. I try to live a frugal life and have invested almost all of my income back into my business.

Our current studio


 In the past year I have undertaken some very important and big projects that have taken my work to a new level of national recognition. Those projects have included:

-Designed and built my largest Taiko drum to date: a 41" Hira Taiko drum for Gendo Taiko at RISD/Brown University.  

-Custom furniture designs for the new Converse world headquarters in Boston, MA.

-The Sei Fujii Lantern - A memorial to a civil rights leader in downtown Los Angeles, CA.

41" Hira Taiko, Converse Chair, Sei Fujii Lantern Model

-Being selected and competing on Ellen's Design Challenge  - a furniture design competition TV show hosted by Ellen Degeneres on HGTV.

Cast members of Ellen's Design Challenge and Ellen!

Ellen's Design Challenge

Ellen’s Design Challenge  has been airing over the last two months and I am very proud of what I have accomplished while under the pressure of creating furniture on a TV show. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and it was an enjoyable experience working alongside other very talented designers, amazing carpenters, and a great production crew. It has been very encouraging to receive so many messages of support of my work through social media. Thank you.

A short notice...sudden move

I started this campaign today, with the recent news that I have to move out of my studio by the end of April. The owners of our building have decided to sell the building, and a larger manufacturing company will setup their operations here. Even though this is a bittersweet move, I'm trying to look at the bright side. I look forward to expanding and years of more creative work in my next space.

The good news is I have found a great new space! I will be sharing the new studio with a few trusted and complimentary businesses that I have gotten to know at my current building. The new space is a beautiful 8500 square foot warehouse in a post-war industrial building. There are 3 big skylights and large open spans. The floors is a solid concrete foundation and we have two loading docks and high ceilings.

New Shop Space.. Very exciting!


During this move, I will incur some significant expenses while moving and the lost time will amount to a few months of lower productive output. I hope to get up and running faster by hiring some help from movers, electricians and contractors to build out the studio!

I am reaching out to anyone who may be able to help contribute, who believes in me and my work and can lend a hand helping me get set up again.

I will be forever grateful for anyone who can help during this time, and I will engrave your name in a piece of wood to be hung in the new shop space. I will also write a personal thank you to every one who is able to support this endeavor.

If you are able to spare $150 or more, I will send you a serving board as a special thank you gift. :) 

I really appreciate you taking the time to read this. Thanks for all your support and encouragements.

Love,
Miles