A little diversion this week for the Humphreys House –
As summer is quickly beginning it seemed like a good opportunity to feature another craftsman that has just opened up a shop in Berlin. I like to think that craftsman, like the ones that built the Humphreys House, still adhere to the rules of builders today. When I first got into the trades down here on the shore, one of the rules that I heard was, “There is no work if the surf is head high.”
Well, the surf's up this week, and it is a good time to congratulate Chris Willey on the opening of his surfboard shaping room located right in Berlin. The shop is inside of the same building that houses the Burley Oak Brewing Company. Hand shaped boards are a part of surf tradition that goes back to the very its beginnings. Board shaping has carried through surfing history, even during the 1960's boom in surf popularity. There are only a few famous shapers in the world and like great painters the success of a shaper is ensured by the body of work that he leaves after a lifetime of work.
Chris is a young guy and a craftsman in his own right. He puts soulfulness into every shape while being cutting edge with the materials that he uses. Cork, as it turns out, is a great material to use for a top veneer. It utilizes the some natural qualities; water resistance and durability. These qualitiesmake it good for kitchen floors, too. Having another business based on craftmanship, located in our historic town of Berlin, just adds to the quaintness of the town. We welcome businesses like these, and wish them nothing but success and growth!
