M A R I S S A R A G L I N A R T
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THE
BIRDHAUSER
Marissa Raglin's grandfather, Ron Hauser, is a skilled carpenter and at age 85 is creating custom birdhouses with a unique spin. The hinge design and use of plexiglass in the birdhouse allow the viewer a peek inside the birdhouse without disrupting the nest.
Two curious creatives who love to work with their hands have decided to come together to produce custom birdhouses with local pickup in Oklahoma City, OK.
Each birdhouse is made by Hauser using reclaimed cedar, pine, and plexiglass and measures approximately 12" tall x 10" wide x 8" deep. Raglin provides the finishing embellishment to the birdhouses and shares all correspondence with her grandfather via postcards or long-distance phone calls. Thank you for your interest in our special collaboration.
OUR STORY
Whether my grandfather, Ron Hauser is making intricate works on his lathe, putting together a wooden canoe, or creating walking sticks or bird houses, we always found him in the backyard working in his workshop or in the living room with wood chips scattered on the floor.
Now, at age 85, he's still tinkering away and his curiosity knows no bounds. Recently, he made this beautiful birdhouse that attaches to our fence. He created this style because he wanted to see inside the birdhouse without disturbing the nest. My son, Quinn and I unlatched the bird house and to our surprise, we see 5 speckled eggs inside the bird's nest. I watched as my son's eyes filled with wonder.
I reached out to Grandpa if he'd be interested in collaborating. Without hesitation, he asks, "Well, boy howdy, are we in the bird house business?" 🤩
My grandfather enjoys the simpler life. He's not interested in a laptop or an iPhone. I call him on his landline and if he's not out in the workshop or on an afternoon drive, he'll pick up the phone. This project is more than bird houses. It's about reconnecting with the ones you love, hearing the excitement in our voices, and developing this project together.
MEET THE MAKERS
Ron Hauser
Carpenter
I found out how a hammer fits in my hand when I was 6 years old.
When I was a young boy my Papaw would come in with reclaimed lumber and ask that I help him strip every nail. Both sides of my family share a love of working with their hands. I took an interest in carpentry thanks to my father, an ornamental iron foundry man and uncle, a skilled carpenter. Every time I got off the school bus, my grandfather would have a furnace full of metal that he'd need help pouring off that day. The urge to work with my hands is ingrained in me and has been for 75 years.
Marissa Raglin
Mixed-Media Artist
I get my creative energy and curiosity from my grandfather.
When I was 8 years old my grandfather put a small pocket knife in my hand and gave me a stick to whittle. He sat there with me and my cousins and instructed us on how to properly use the knife. He sat alongside us and carved walking sticks with great precision. I was amazed. I picked up a cutting blade after graduating college and enjoyed delicately removing images found in my grandfather's collection of books. I shared this new passion with him and he promptly mailed me more books, magazines and postcards and continues to do so.