If you’re one of the nearly half million followers of Ariele Alasko on Instagram, then you’re familiar with her woodworking talents. And if you don’t, allow me to introduce you. After studying sculpture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Ariele began working with wood as a hobby. Soon enough, the pastime became a full fledged career and today, she hand carves gorgeous sculptures and smooth surfaced spoons, brushes, boards and serving plates from maple, cedar, walnut and hazelnut wood. Her methods are painstakingly beautiful – just listen to the sounds of the carving. Mesmerizing, no? My favorite pieces are those using a traditional Japanese technique called Shou Sugi Ban, where the wood is charred black, scrubbed, buffed and then coated in wax. If only I can act quick enough to own one of her pieces. As soon as she updates her shop, her work sells out almost instantly. You can sign up here for updates . . . just make sure you don’t beat me to the punch, okay?