Interview with the Maker: Pluma Avis Domus

Artisan:  Roberto Roque, Pluma Avis Domus

1. What is your name and how did you decide on your business name?

  Hi, my name is Roberto Roque and my label is Pluma Avis Domus. I'm Jersey born, of Puerto Rican parents. At my grade school I learned Latin, we spoke Spanish at home. The name came easy.  It means Feather Bird(s) House in Latin, and are the origins for words like  Plume, Aviation, Domicile for example.

2. What inspired you to create your product?

  I grew up close to the Raritan Bay, woods to the water at the end of the street. There were birds of all kinds around and my dad and I made a few houses. Skipping a lot of years later, the proverbial friend who has everything, even a mid century furniture business, had a new Philly home with a big yard. I couldn't think of a house warming gift until I saw a mid-century style wicker chair hanging from the ceiling at a restaurant. I based my first house on that shape. Other friends wanted one, then friends of friends, then Morris Arboretum, followed by The Audubon Museum. After that I knew I had a hobby/business.

3. Which of your products most inspires other people?

  I make tealight holders using old/new stock Victorian floor veneers and the occasional cutting board but my main business is about birdhouses. I think the fact I use as much reclaimed wood as I can, they are all one of a kind, from browns to all colors, and that they are made to proper specifications, catches everyone’s attention. 

4. How do you find time to balance your craft with other areas of your life?

  I haven't been able to find much balance yet because of the limited space I have in a Philly row home. I also lost my wife at a young age, almost a year ago, and for a while had no desire other than to work. I literally stayed home in good weather to cut wood in the yard, and watch the coating I apply dry because rain is my kryptonite. That is changing though as I move back home to New Jersey for at least the summer. I am building a workshop in the big old 2 car garage, then will be looking for a place hopefully around Asbury Park where I am told there is a growing artist and craft community. Philadelphia is wonderful when it comes to arts and culture and is getting better every day. I won't lose that being here a lot, but hopefully add to that in Jersey.

5. Name one tool or product that is most helpful to you as a small business owner.

My most important tool would be the table saw. I started with just a 10 inch compound miter saw. Looking back I don't know how I accomplished what I did with only that saw. I will have 3 table saws in my New Jersey workshop, and another 2 more saws I own, lol. 

6. Where do you see your business going in 2020?

I look forward to having inventory instead of day to day making for the next weekend’s craft show. That'll allow me to get into retail a bit more, something that I cannot accomplish at the moment because I can't keep up. I have ideas for more products that my business can offer and I plan to have those ready by early to mid-summer. 

7. What is something you hope to get out of the Marketspace platform this year? 

I'd like to meet other makers. Perhaps collaborate on some ideas I have, and/or help others with ideas they may have. It's difficult though running a solo gig. I rarely get to walk around at a show to see the other products and introduce myself to my fellow makers.

8. Anything new we can do for or offer you?

Not that I can think of.

Thank you, Roberto, for sharing your artisan business with us. We will happily introduce you to the other makers in our amazing community and table-sit for you at Jersey Girl on April 18 and Springcraft at The Woodland on May 9 so that you can walk around the event!