Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Hensen.
Hi Scott, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my passion for building and design from an early age. I, like many kids born in the 90’s, loved my Legos. I rarely ever followed the directions and could build a new set perfectly, just by looking at the picture on the box. I had large bins of them and would construct whatever came to mind; from a replica of the White House to a full-size human head. I also loved drawing. I would draw sketches of buildings and cars, putting many hours of detail into each new design. I had a lot of influence in art and construction due to my nana being a potter and my father, a contractor. Growing up, I worked for my dad in middle and high school, learning the skills of the trade. Fast forward several years, I was newly married to my beautiful wife, Megan, and we needed furniture for our home. I put my skills to the test and built a side table from reclaimed wood and steel. I was hooked. I found a way to combine my passion for design and hone my craft woodworking and metalworking. I officially started Dust & Spark in 2018, focusing on designing and building high-quality metal and wood furniture for my clients. Today, I am expanding my business to include architectural metalwork and woodwork from staircases and handrails, fireplace surrounds and vent hoods, and even smaller details such as custom door pulls.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been anything but smooth. The business started slowly as I grew my reputation. Being a craftsman of sustainable heirloom quality work in a consumer culture geared towards “fast furniture” is a constant challenge. My traction started growing until early 2020 just as the economy took a hit from the pandemic. Additionally, my wife and I became pregnant with our first daughter, Kinley, in 2021 and I took a break from the business full-time to reevaluate what was best for our growing household. Working other jobs in the millwork and building industries for a few years has given me the confidence and insight I needed to grow Dust & Spark to be more than just a job for myself, but a sustainable business for our family. As of last month, and with another daughter, Harper, in tow, we are back in full swing, eager to build the business into new markets and territories.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dust & Spark?
My Mission with Dust & Spark is to transform raw materials into timeless, heirloom-quality creations that celebrate the beauty of natural design, sustainable craftsmanship, and personal connection. From small end tables to grand staircases and everything in between, our goal is to help people connect to their spaces through thoughtful design, attention to detail, and creativity. We like to use solid wood and steel in distinctive ways to design furniture that our clients can’t find anywhere else. I am especially proud of being able to use unique materials like trees that were burned in the Marshall and Calwood fires and turn them into tables, benches, and shelves for clients who are rebuilding their homes. It’s a great way to use the material to move forward so families can create new memories. We work with home and business owners, interior designers, architects, and builders to bring innovative ideas to life.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I was young, our household wasn’t always the most stable place. With some large personalities at home, my room was my haven and drawing was my vice. As a young boy, I had a fascination with cars and architecture and spent hours recreating what I had seen in magazines, books, and in my imagination. My elementary art teacher helped me hone my skills with perspective and composition and helped me realize that I have a gift for imagining 3D objects in my mind’s eye. Although I didn’t know it at the time, this ability to invisibly transpose objects was a hidden blessing of my dyslexia and ADHD that kept me from feeling successful in the classroom. My Nana was one of the most influential people in my younger years who helped me see myself as a gifted artist and helped me move my ideas from paper to clay creations. From sculpting garages for my model cars, and airplanes, to pots and cups, my Nana never told me an idea was impossible. She let me experiment, take risks, make mistakes, and solve problems, which has shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today.
Pricing:
- Pricing is tricky to pinpoint with custom pieces and it determined upon initial discovery of each client’s scope and vision. We always provide free estimates and expert advice to anyone interested in working with us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dustandspark.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustandspark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustandspark
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dustandspark
Image Credits
Mark Visser and Anna Boardman
