Page 7 - Classically Carolina 2019

DOWNTOWN

Mazurek has never had a large team working in the reading... and when we go to people’s homes, we ask
shop with him. For the past 10 years, he’s only had for permission to look at their antiques. By looking
one apprentice -- Michael Hartis. at antiques you can see how well it’s built and you
can also see some of the shortcomings in it.”
“If you look, you will see a half a dozen projects going
on at one time. Right now, it’s a bed we are working Mazurek has crafted pieces for the South Carolina
on,” Mazurek explains, pointing out Room at the Society of the Cincinnati,
the bed’s headboard. a non-profit organization as well as
the hereditary society for the officers
Hartis says he doesn’t consider building from the Revolutionary War in
furniture to be work. “I love the quiet Washington, D.C.
atmosphere of the shop and the
classical musical playing. I tell my Both Mazurek and Hartis’ work
buddies that they go to work. I get to was also featured at the McKissick
go to the shop. It’s sheer enjoyment.” Museum in Columbia, S.C., as part
of the South Carolina woodworkers
Mazurek and Hartis believe they exhibit entitled “A Compass to Guide:
have a responsibility to use the wood South Carolina Cabinet Makers Today.”
efficiently.
The largest piece he’s made is a 27-
“We measure where we get the foot mahogany conference table.
maximum use,” Mazurek says. “We
recycle as much as possible...we never waste. All the While custom orders are the largest portion of his
shavings go on a farm and we let it rot as mulch.” business, he always has a small gallery of pieces for
sale in the store. Aside from Mazurek’s handmade
Mazurek’s best teachers have been time, observation furniture, the store also sells antiques and factory-
and experience from both building furniture and made furniture.
restoring antiques.
As for the town he’s called home for the past 54 years,
“I’d like to think I’ve gotten better at (this craft),” Mazurek believes that anyone driving through will
Mazurek says. “I’m mostly self-taught. I do a lot of also fall in love with Camden.

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