Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew and Janelle Gramling.
Janelle started her work in fashion design, designing and sewing a clothing line. Matthew comes from a background in restoration carpentry. Both of them have owned their separate businesses for 15 years, always depending solely on that to support themselves and their children.
Janelle started moving to sculptural ceramics and fiber in 2013 after immersing herself more deeply in the workings of clay and textile dying methods.
Around the same time Matthew began letting go of carpentry contracts to focus on design and production of furniture solely.
In 2014, they decided to converge their studios into a single 3 room production studio; fiber, ceramics, wood. They both continue to run their own separate businesses but now make collaborative work for gallery shows and limited product lines.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not smooth. For the same reasons any small business owner might suggest. Neither of us has any desire to simply manage a firm. We both design and fabricate our own products which isn’t really the American Dream business plan. Creativity drives us and so the fiscal side of business will always stress us out.
Being young, raising a family, running your own business, and being married to someone who also does, creates a day to day intensity that might be a bit on the high side. How do you continue to fulfill deadlines, have meaningful experiences with your children, follow creative tides, and keep your partner close? A lot of coffee, nature, beer, and friends.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Janelle and Matthew Gramling Designs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Matthew: I work on commercial and residential commissions, mixing my esthetic with the needs of the project.
I’m known for experimental finishes and live sawn wood compositions.
I deal in finishes that, in some cases I manufacture myself, and are largely reactive to the wood species. I employ wood charring, fuming, and cerused finishes.
My live edge creations are salvaged from trees felled here in the city. I saw, sort, and kiln dry all my trees from log form to furniture. I have a deep appreciation for the natural beauty inherent in these ancient creatures and do my best to respect and respond to what is already achieved by the tree itself.
Janelle: Currently, I am selling a line of fiber and ceramic home decor products at boutiques internationally as well as showing one-of-a-kind sculptures in gallery settings. The most popular and sought-after items are my wall-hangings in which I combine hand-formed clay components with cotton and linen rope to create minimal and modern hanging sculptures. Everything I offer is hand-made in my Milwaukee studio. As a business owner and creative, I am most proud of my ability to walk the line between fine art and affordable design. I love creating work that is challenging and new and sometimes downright weird, but when I decide that a particular piece will work in my product line, I’m able to distill it into something that is affordable to produce and accessible to everyone (both in price and in aesthetic).
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love the Architecture, restaurants and trains. We dislike the way the lakefront was planned downtown.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1223 s 23rd St. Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53204 - Website: www.janellegramling.com www.matthewgramlingwoodworks.com
- Phone: 414-801-0051
- Email: matthewgramling@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/janelle_gramling instagram.com/matthewgramling
Image Credit:
Janelle Gramling
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
