About Ciseal
At Ciseal, I know that the spaces we inhabit affect our mood, thoughts, and actions. As such, I aim to make products that inspire while looking fantastic.
Ciseal was inspired by the Midcentury Modern architecture and design that’s so prevalent in and around Detroit. The thoughtful, functional blend of nature and the modern, clean lines of these buildings influenced me to create my own designs using the natural material and modern method of woodlayering.
Ciseal began in 2013 with a few layers of wood veneer, a bottle of wood glue, a handmade mold and some clamps. Those ingredients made my very first product - the Ray iPad Stand (and I still use that original mold!). Ciseal has been growing steadily ever since - supporting my design habit one woodlayered product at a time.
I proudly design and make all of my products to-order and by hand in my Leonard, Michigan studio. After searching high and low for the best, strongest, most flexible wood to make my products, I found it in my own backyard. My wood layers are sustainably-sourced from responsibly-harvested maple tree forests in the upper midwest. Each Ciseal product is still inspired by my neighborhood and thoughtfully vetted through countless hours of research, design, and crafting. The finished products I offer are the result of many iterations and fine tuning for comfort, usability, and style. The quality of my products is in the details: the intentional curves, the hand-layered, sustainable wood veneer, and the ease of use.
Ciseal is an Irish Gaelic word for layer. It's pronounced KISH-ill by the Irish, but I've taken to pronouncing it sis-EEL
Woodlayering is my craft, but as a person, I’m always learning, growing, and evolving. Ciseal is about how we layer the trappings of life in a way that uniquely speaks to our soul. It’s a way of life, a mindset that focuses our attention on finding and embracing all of the layers that matter so that we are free to take our pleasure seriously.
Ciseal's Core Values
We embrace modernism.
We practice minimalism.
We support ethical production.
We are each the designers of our own lives.
What does your home inspire?
The Ciseal Team
Nicole Hodsdon
Owner | Designer | Chief Woodlayerer
Nicole began her circuitous route to founding Ciseal by practicing engineering at GM for several years. While at GM, the architecture and design of the Tech Center in Warren, MI inspired her to study Industrial Design and Crafts at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. She took a class on bent plywood and was instantly hooked. She designs and makes each and every Ciseal product as well as answers every single email you send us. Her favorite movie is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Lets keep in touch!
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