A Margosa (Neem) Tree in India

Margosa, also known as neem, is an abundant tropical to subtropical East Indian tree noted to be the fasted growing broad-leaved evergreen native to India and Myanmar. Noted as the “Divine Tree” in India, it is known to have medicinal properties and its bitter bark, trunk, and seeds have been used to produce health and beauty products, toothpaste, pesticides, and medicines. Also known as the “wonder plant,” we adore the distinct cracks and separations that occur as the wood dries and shrinks with age.

Cernosia Stool Table, 12 diameter x 21 H inches, $349.00 Delivered

Just into the studio, the Cernosia Stool Table, Burke Side Table, and Contemporary Turned Wood Stool Table are prime examples of Margosa wood’s versatility. The Cernosia Stool Table, cleverly sculpted out of a solid block of wood, resembles a perfectly stacked pile of books when placed next to a cozy reading chair. Just the right height for a cup of tea, it also provides a place to set one’s reading specs while resting tired eyes.

Burke Side Table, 15 diameter x 20 H inches, $339.00 Delivered

A rich stained blend of walnut and chocolate, the Burke Side Table delivers a well-chosen combination of texture and color. Aged over several years to reveal the desirable characteristics of this wood, the dense Margosa base bares a deep walnut stain topped with a sleek pebble-embossed chocolate brown leather wrapped surface.

Contemporary Turned Wood Stool Table, 12 diameter x 21 H inches, $359.00

Inspired by the likes of a curvaceous Botero sculpture, we like to think of this Contemporary Turned Wood Stool Table as a sexy work of art. Strong and proud, this intricately hand-turned mass of Margosa wood celebrates the natural beauty and grain of medium reddish-brown tones in bold voluptuous proportions.

Offering an ever-growing collection of stools and side tables, we invite you to take a look at our latest additions or revisit some of our classics. While you’re at it, if you don’t quite see what you’re looking for, just ask! We’ve been known to change things up a bit and look forward to your unique request.

Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)

Acai Seed Dangle Earrings - $35.00 In Store Only

The Açaí seed comes from the Açaí Palm found in the lush rainforests of South America. This palm grows mainly in swamps and floodplains and is approximately 45 to 90 feet tall. The fruit is harvested for food; most often served as a beverage, especially in Brazil, and has gained global fame in recent years due to its high antioxidant and energizing properties.

Tagua Slice Necklace $35.00 - In Store Only

The Tagua nut comes from the Ecuadorean Ivory Palm, which flourishes in the lowlands of South America. The medium-sized palm, reaching up to 60 feet tall, grows quickly and easily in shady, humid places hidden below larger trees. The nut is collected from large pods emerging from the palm’s trunk. These regenerative pods can be harvested by climbing the tree or collected later once they fall to the forest floor.

Tagua is a perfect natural material for making beads, buttons, and figurines; before the age of plastic, tagua was used to produce large quantities of buttons for world markets. Whether hand-dyed into a wide spectrum of colors or left in a more natural state, the versatility of this nut makes it a unique addition to any jewelry piece.

Check out the great video above showing the story behind the jewelry. The opening scenes are from one of the artisans homes in the rural community of Illuman, in the Andes. You'll see the designers and artisans having their semi annual dinner party (this time a pig roast!) and then working on new designs for spring.

Then join the designers on a journey into the Tagua forest in the coastal region of Ecuador! You'll see how the farmers climb into the trees on hand made ladders to knock down the excess seed pods and watch as they split open the seed pod to reveal the raw tagua inside. From there they travel on to a work shop to see how the dried tagua is cut, dyed and made into bracelets.

Next, the designers are back developing new products in the village of Pucara. Things get a little emotional during the big meeting in the following scenes, where everyone takes time to give thanks and talk about how their lives have changed drastically over the last year.

We hope that you'll love this new collection of handmade jewelry as much as we do, stop by our showroom soon to have a look for yourself, or give us a call at 1-866-804-1909 with any questions.

Posted by: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

An artisan turns the tables on a LARGE lathe

It is noted that the history of woodturning dates back to around 1300 BC and began with the Egyptians and a two-person lathe. One person turned the wood with a rope while the other used a carving tool to make shapes in the wood. The process, improved upon by the Romans with the addition of a turning bow, was eventually replaced by a hand-operated pedal connected to a pole to free the craftsman’s hands to hold the woodturning tools.

Bosque Stool Tables fresh off the lathe

Today the system is called a “spring pole” lathe, which was commonly used into the early 20th Century. As the process continues to evolve over time, it still remains an art form that requires a strict eye and a fine artisan for the job.

Dominguez Stool Tables ready for finishing

At Pfeifer, we offer a bit of our own hospitality to our clients with our custom design capabilities. Whether a one-of-a-kind piece, a style produced in larger quantities, or a modified version of one of our current product offerings, we invite you to contact us at 1-866-804-1909 to discuss ideas for your next project.

Posted by: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)
Date: March 3, 2010

Winning a new home sounds like a great way to start off the new decade. Luckily HGTV is giving away a multi-million dollar Dream Home in beautiful New Mexico. Located in the east mountains about 20 miles from Albuquerque this exquisite home was furnished by interior designer Joan Woodrum and features some wonderful home accessories by Pfeifer Studio!

The online tour on the HGTV website showcases this beautiful home well. Click here to check out the Home Office with our Red Wood Tray and Coral Lacquer Bowl.

Red Wood Serving Tray

Coral Lacquer Bowl

Click here for your chance to win HGTV Dream Home 2010, a contemporary Southwest-style home situated in the shadow of the breathtaking Sandia Mountains in Sandia Park, N.M. The grand prize package — worth more than $2 million — also includes $500,000 and an all-new 2010 GMC® Terrain. Remember, you can enter once a day through February 19, 2010, for a chance to live the dream.

Solid Pine Bench Table 15 x 15 x 34 Inches

The bench (and coordinating Solid Pine Cube Tables) are Pfeifer Exclusives available directly through the design studio. Made in the USA from timber harvested in the mountains of Northern New Mexico, the textured finish on the surface is created by hand, using an adz tool to shape a pattern on the wood.

Detail of the Natural Pine Finish

Available in in Natural or a Brown Stain, the stained finish is created by soaking tobacco leaves in water. The table are finished with a clear non-toxic topcoat, before being rubbed with a layer of an all-natural beeswax and lemon oil wood wax created by an 18th Century/Early American cabinetmaker.

Our Solid Pine Cube Tables 15 x 15 x 20 H inches

Traditionally these bowls are finished with a clear glaze to highlight the beautiful, natural terracotta color, so we snatched up these rare earthy green scalloped-edge bowls when we spotted them.

Over to South Asia now, where we discovered these beautiful pillows featuring a traditional Tree Of Life appliqué design that was created with naturally dyed block printed fabrics.

Nepal is our next stop heading east, where people living in the mountainous regions have practiced the tradition of hand felting for centuries. Our colorful wool felt necklaces are created by local villagers who form balls from wool fiber by hand using only heat and water.

Our handcrafted Teddy Bear is created in Vietnam with traditional Hmong fabric. The Hmong are a Asian ethnic group living in mountainous regions, who are know for their traditional cross-stitched textiles. Each bear in our collection is unique and considered one-of-a-kind.

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To end our journey, we head back to North Africa for a visit to the bazaar in Marrakesh, where our Moroccan Tea Glasses are a staple for the market's chaotic shoppers. Available in Pale Green or Cobalt Blue, they are created from 100% recycled glass. Hand crafted and earth friendly!

We love each of these hand-selected designs. Click here to see them now along with our other Pfeifer Finds.

Check out the earth-friendly reclaimed palette wall in the background

We love these elegant gold vermeil fish earrings

Our new ceiling are fashioned from natural linen burlap fabric

Hmong fabric teddy bears from Vietnam

Another angle on the palette walls

Resin Quail Lamp from designer Barbara Cosgrove

It's not New Mexico without a Steer Skull

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our newest big seller - fun, color-pop rings

We have been busy with many great custom projects lately, everything from large furniture pieces to smaller customizations of existing styles from the collection. Recently a designer in California wanted to create leather waste bins embossed with a company logo for one of her client’s offices and she knew that the place to turn to was Pfeifer Studio.

The Final Product: Waste Bins with Custom Embosses