It’s not often that we hear of such a talented young individual, whose boundless energy and unbridled creativity constantly leads him down an exploratory road to a range of incredibly diverse ventures. One such individual is Houston-based Jake Eshelman, a freelance writer, photographer, craftsman, designer and brand strategist with a background in paper/printing, music and leatherwork, his list of interests and achievements seems to be never ending!
With a background such as this, who knows what he will be up to next! In fact, one of his most recent projects is an online pop-up store from which he is marketing a collection of beautifully handcrafted skateboards, under the banner of Side Project Skateboards. Encouraged by his father in law to be, who actually cultured his interest in carpentry, Jake has single handedly, hand crafted 18 vintage inspired boards from found of recycled hardwoods, which he feels adds to the unique feel of each piece.
For the purists out there, the technical details of the components used on each board are as follows; Bennett Vector 4.3” trucks, Seismic 3dm Cambria Wheels (62mm/8oa) and Tekton Six Ball Bearings! Chromexcel leather, instead of the customary plastic, has been used for the hand risers of each board which results in a smoother ride. Although each piece may appear to be pricey, the expert craftsmanship and uniqueness of each board places them in a bracket somewhere between functional art and design. The project is a contemporary reminder of the not too distant past when the DIY cult was the norm, and perhaps this is a hint to remind us of the therapeutic element and the sense of achievement which comes from a job well done!
