Name: Kristin Grant
Gig: Owner, Dust to Dust Furniture

How did you get into woodworking and how long have you been doing it?
"I wanted to be an architect but realized I don't have the starch to sit behind a computer all day. I'd rather be pushing boards over a set of blades rotating at 900 rpms and steam bending wood. I did my formal woodworking training in wooden-boat building, and I have been working on furniture and boats in San Francisco for the past two years."

What are some recent projects you've done?
"I have been building a lot of benches. I made a couple of outdoor benches for Mission boutiques. I built a flowerpot bench for Mira Mira and one for my friends at Taylor Stitch."

Is there a specific project that you'd consider a favorite?
"The favorite project is always the one in my mind that I am about to build."

It's pretty badass to be a tool-toting lady, especially in a male-dominated industry. Do you anything to feel a little bit girlier on the job?
"It's definitely tough when you are covered in dust, wearing shop clothes, safety glasses, and a dust mask, so my femininity gets limited to perfume and nail polish. The nail polish is mostly to keep from biting my nails."

How does the city inspire or influence your work?
"The most inspiring part of the city to me is the demand for independent craftspeople. That's a really special part of San Francisco. Bespoke makes sense when you can't find what you are looking for in a store or on a shelf. But the driving force for independent furniture designers here is deeper than that, San Franciscans care about design, enjoy being part of the design process, and genuinely want something well made and unique."