Today we’d like to introduce you to Giselle Rutledge.
Hi Giselle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started carving with the chainsaw in 1986 in Colorado with my ex husband, later in 1990 we moved to Texas and sold our art everywhere in Houston then Dallas. In 1996 we open the store Fine Wood Carvings on IH 35E near Waxahachie. After 2004 got a divorce and kept the business and decided to get more into the natural edge furniture along with the sculptures. I have had a wonderful time with my work and I feel really lucky to have the talent to do my work. I really enjoy it. Texas has been the place where i have grown with my art and I am grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think for the first five years it was very frustrating to want to create a sculpture and not be able to put it on a piece of wood but after a while I started to see it in the depth in the wood. In 2004 one other hard event was trying to take over the business after my divorce since now it was just up to me to make it work, the art and the managing part, something that was shared before.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I put a lot of pride into my art. My pieces are very detailed. I like to give my customer the best that I can do. Every carving or furniture I make i make sure is going to be of satisfaction for them, and of course mine that’s what I enjoy seeing people happy with my work. I believe my art and furniture are very different from other peoples because it is just better quality and realism. I do some custom work, but there are certain pieces that I choose not to because of the time issue. I stay very busy most of the year.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The Dallas Forth Worth area has giving me a lot and I am very grateful for the years of giving people joy with my art in this area for the last 35 years. The only thing I do not appreciate is the heat since I do a lot of my work outside.
Pricing:
- Carvings from $75 to $1000 or more
- Furniture from $150 to $5,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://finewoodcarvings.net
- Facebook: @finewoodcarvings
Image Credits
Most of these images are pieces of custom order but can be done again. They are one of a kind handmade. I can carve any animal and we do custom work on the furniture.
