Cuff Studio: Rethinking Craft in a Mass Production World

About this episode

Kristi Bender and Wendy Schwartz discuss how their handcrafted furniture and lighting practice challenges traditional notions of craftsmanship in a mass production world.

What if craftsmanship isn’t a limitation, but a competitive advantage? In this episode of Play with Matches, Kristi Bender and Wendy Schwartz, cofounders of Cuff Studio, share how building a handcrafted furniture and lighting practice in Los Angeles has shaped their approach to design, production, and growth. From early custom pieces to a full collection, they explain how materiality, artisan collaboration, and staying close to the work drive innovation and differentiation. They also unpack w...

People in this episode

Guests: Kristi Bender, Wendy Schwartz

Topics covered

• craftsmanship
• furniture design
• lighting design
• mass production
• innovation
• artisan collaboration

Keywords

• craftsmanship
• furniture
• lighting
• design
• production
• innovation
• artisans

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cuff Studio

Places: Los Angeles

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