Shavings… a beginning “werk”

All woodworking projects begin with an idea… and … well, yes wood, and they hopefully end with a finished project that enhances the life of at least two people: (1) the woodworker (for the joy of knowing they’ve created a well-made, handcrafted, well-designed piece of work), and the user/recipient (maybe it’s an enhanced living space, perhaps it’s something made easier to use, more beautiful, more unique or something that defines “this is who I am” ). Joy is found in many ways. However, there is also a third recipient of joy in this space, and that is of God being glorified in the use of His creation for works of wood that hopefully embody truth, beauty, and goodness.

That’s why I created HAP Designwerks - to give people joy and a sense of enhanced well-being. I chose the name of the firm to include a non-traditional term, “werks,” versus the more traditional term - works. This use of the term werks is by design, as while all woodworking projects are technically “works”, but they are not always “werks.” The term “werks” has historically been defined as something that connotes “achievement, expression of approval or praise.” It is that combination of solid design + achieving a praiseful response from the user that this company is formed.

At its core, I envision that HAP Designwerks will exist to design both production “werks” available to the general public and bespoke (custom) “werks” for our customers that wish for something made just for them. It will strive to offer products and services that will “enhance our living.”

I pledge myself to three main goals for each and every product that we offer or make for someone:

• Good design

• Solid construction for long-lasting life

• Functionality for the user

Like all new things, it will start small, and by God’s grace, may it be used to serve others.