Quarterly Artisan Highlight: Furniture Maker Mike Bagley

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For our first quarterly artisan highlight, I choose someone who’s work and journey I know quite well yet who continues to be someone who inspires both myself and others around him frequently. Owner of Bagley Built, Mike Bagley is a furniture maker with many talents extending to cabinetry and contracting work as well. Originally from South Carolina, Bagley is very skilled when it comes to woodworking and I was ecstatic when he agreed to answer some questions for me about his creative journey. Bagley is thoughtful, honest, and inspiring with his responses on life as a creative artisan and I hope this interview will bring you much encouragement to trying something new, especially if you are considering a creative path.

How did you get into your niche & what sparked your interest in furniture making?

I got into my niche based on some pieces that my wife wanted me to build. I ended up going to a local retailer that specializes in woodworking products and tools, named Mann Tool and Supply, in West Columbia and asked them about how to build things. Shortly after, I started with a cherry coffee table for an anniversary present. Really, I got some good pointers from the guys there at Mann Tool, started making things and went for it!

Describe the best / your favorite piece you’ve created?

I don’t know about the best, but the most difficult piece was the bed that I made for my son and daughter in law. It was the first time I had done several different types of techniques because of the style that she wanted. She wanted tapered posts that weren’t thick, which created some issues for how the bed bolts went in because I wanted to use bed bolts that were able to be covered by an antique hole cover which would slide back and forth to give access to the bed bolt.  So, to make all that work together, I actually did two different things – a bed bolt for part of it and then threaded receivers to prevent going all the way through and since the wood was black walnut, I did a series of special oil rubs to get the look I wanted. Likewise, the headboard in particular was a challenge because it was a unique slightly curved piece. I pretty much had one chance to get it right when I cut it. So, there was a little pressure on that as it was an expensive cut. 

When is your favorite time of day to create?

I don’t know that there is a particular time of day really, but if I had to choose, I would probably say in the morning as I am freshest and less likely to make mistakes. Typically, the more tired I get throughout the day the more likely I am to overlook things. But the reality is, I do it all the time.  

How has your style evolved over time in your furniture making?

Well, I haven’t had one project that has been exactly the same. Really, the customers have driven the evolution of just doing different things each time based on what they are looking for.

When you finish a project, what is your go to dessert to celebrate?

Ice cream is always the best dessert to celebrate anything, whether it’s a finished project or a sunny day or rainy day or any day. If you need consolation or exaltation, ice cream is the way to go.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a furniture making artisan?

Balancing when have you done it well and knowing when to stop. Sometimes you can seek a little bit more perfection and you end up making it worse. Knowing when you have gotten to that point where you can say ‘no this looks good’ and then just relax.

Describe your dream project.

Well, I have done something that’s close, although it might initially not sound like a dream. I had a friend who wanted to me redo his 3-car garage and turn it into an office. What was cool about that was that I got to build all kinds of different things. I got to build console tables, some custom cabinets, custom workbenches all with black walnut tops, coffered ceilings, HVAC equipment, etc. It was just a variety of different things, but it was all driven and specific to what that customer wanted in one big cohesive project, with all pieces working together to create a really customized workspace. Built in cabinets, shelves, workstations, custom desks with all the computer hardware underneath, but each piece built with fine materials. It wasn’t just basic plywood, but instead had fine materials as well. Really being able to do all that variety with a mix of furniture, mix of built ins and mix of materials; it was fun!

What do you want people to take away from your work?

Function with beauty.

In your opinion, what makes for beautiful art / work / furniture?

The first part, I think as my wife would say ‘clean lines’. Clean lines where there is not so much going on that it is distracting. I think the second part would be the use of natural woods, not that you are putting a stain into, but instead you are bringing out the beauty of that particular piece of wood. Each piece of wood is unique, and it elicits a reaction on its own that is best not covered up with something else in my opinion. So, rubbing oils in like tung oil or Maloof which is a mixture of tung oil, boiled linseed oil and polyurethane varnish – those create the interest. The interest is already there, you are just supposed to bring it out.

It is a gift to be able to determine ‘I need to fix this, or fix that’ and pair together craftsmanship, engineering, and perspective – what looks best in this case, for this use, and in relation to all the other parts. I have a little bit of that, but I really like to see when other people have it and not just limited to woodwork.

Do you plan to sell your work & if so, how should people get in touch with you?

I do sell my work; I just don’t normally create an inventory of work. Normally, it is someone contacting me and saying, ‘would you make x?’ and I look at what they want and then give them an honest opinion on if I can create it in a way they would enjoy. If they are interested, they can reach out through my email mike@bagleybuilt.com.