Socorro woodworker Olaf Heintz will bring his work to Los Alamos for the first time at the Fuller Lodge Art Center Fall Arts & Crafts Fair next weekend.

Heintz’s wife specializes in textiles and together they formed their business “Wood-n-Fibers,” specializing in original design woodwork and weaving. Heintz, who exhibits at Socorro County Arts’ Alamo Mercantile and Gallery, is excited to share his work with the Los Alamos community.

Heintz applies his skill to the creation of original pieces and does not limit himself to a specific type of object. From furniture to jewelry shelves, his work is all original design with an emphasis on organic shapes.

“I studied the Shakers, Hans Wegner and Danish design, considering how an object fills its space, keeping the design simple and basic, unadorned, with the joinery exposed,” he said.

Heintz builds tiered cutting boards that serve as a cutting board when flat and then can be propped up to serve as a bread basket. He has a unique version of a coat rack on which the pegs are shaped like dolphins built of layers that can swing out separately to hold scarves. He plans to bring an assortment of his work to the Fair, along with a couple of pieces of furniture.

With homes in both the Northwest and the Southwest, the natural environment is also a big influence on his work. The natural colors and grain of the wood, the live edge or an emphasis on the knots and irregularities give the piece a unique look and feel.

“Some of the wood I use is harvested and milled from our own land, on my own saw mill to get materials and qualities that are not commercially available. Combined with fine joinery and natural finishes this all contributes to a piece that reflects a bit of the natural environment,” Heintz said.

Meet Heintz 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Fuller Lodge Art Center Fall Arts & Crafts Fair at Crossroads Bible Church. See all the artists attending at http://fullerlodgeartcenter.com/Fair_Fall2014.shtml.