In the Studio with Austin Bell

Austin Bell is a Glen Burnie resident, sales rep, Dad and what I like to call an accidental artist. One day, his fiancé shared her love for live edge river tables, so Austin decided to purchase one for her. Then he saw the enormous price tag and decided to learn how to do it himself! Since then, Austin has dedicated his weekends to his side-gig, Bell Woodworking Products. His IG description reads “Building dream furniture, one piece at a time.” Here’s his story:

On learning the basics: I started woodworking as a kid in middle school tech, then continued it in high school. As time went on my interest grew in woodworking and building things. I started building custom snake enclosures for customers and myself. Snake enclosures turned into larger reptile enclosures for various reptiles, then turned into indoor furniture for some family members, then turned to where I am now.

On his favorite piece ever: The first time I mixed the pigments into the epoxy and then poured the table, I was hooked and to this day, it by far is my favorite. I still have the table. It has been the most simple table I have ever done and for some reason it has never left my grasp and honestly probably never will.

On using his hands: I am a firm believer in “hand touch” or “hand finish” wood working. I flatten all of my slabs with a hand router, and made my own router sled, and slab table. All of my finishes are natural oil finishes that I apply the good ole traditional style “Hand rubbed.”

On finding inspiration through requests: None of my clients have ever purchased the same thing as one another. They all come to me with a amazing vision of a table, desk, magnetic knife holder, end tables with bullets inlayed in the epoxy and even countertops made. Because not one wood slab is identical to another, not one piece I create is identical to another. So hands down, I have to give my inspiration to my clients. 

For more information about Austin and to see more of his process, follow him on Instagram.