New wood studio opens in Frog Level
Woodworker Ronnie Atkins recently opened Studio 36 in the Frog Level District of Waynesville.
The studio features handcrafted, one-of-a-kind furniture composed of both new and reclaimed components. Atkin’s interest in woodworking began in the 1980’s during his career as a television photographer. Originally a hobby, woodworking became of increasing interest, as he traveled the U.S. gaining inspiration from each community visited. A brief stint in a lumberyard in Austin inspired Atkins to retire after nearly 30 years in the field of television and focus on woodworking full-time.
Studio 36 will serve as Atkins studio and design space, allowing him the creative burst to hand craft pieces with minimal tools. Each piece takes days, often months to build from design to fruition.
Drawing on Craftsman, Scandanavian and modern influences, Atkins creates simple, functional furniture that expresses his unique sense of design. With emphasis on the joinery of each piece, it is easy to celebrate the quality of hand built furniture with the absence of modern machinery.
