Rustic furniture has been around for a very long time, often languishing in attics and barns in rural areas. Some fine examples of rustic furniture were a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1942) which was a public works program putting over three million to work during the Great Depression of the 1930's and 1940's in the United States.
In the 1950’s, people with an eye for the beautiful and unusual noticed the rustic furniture, resulting in a resurgence of interest in the highly regional art of making furniture. Rustic furniture is now very much in demand, and some pieces command prices comparable to fine works of art. These primitive forms feel so close to the real tree, and for many, the furniture is a comfort to have around.
In Jimmie Dinkins' videos you can see him use rustic chairs and objects in his home. In the videos of this section, Jimmie will show you how to create a bentwood trellis for your garden. Our resource section will provide you with information and plans on how to make bentwood and other types of rustic furniture.
Make sure that you have a good space to work on your project. You will need a fairly large work area. Further information about obtaining willow and hickory can be seen in the Bentwood Trellis Workshop. If you want to gather wood from someone’s property, always ask permission before gathering materials. Also, be mindful of good conservation practices.
Jimmie Dinkins died in April 2023.
