Jared Coles

For this year's American Pipe-Making Exposition, we gave the carvers a broad scope, a vast canvas on which to play and experiment. Crafting a pipe with Calabash or reverse Calabash functionality is extremely difficult, but the most successful creative work often originates from the hardest challenges. These American carvers were up to the task, however, as this year's submissions are truly exceptional. ... Read More

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe smoking desktop backgrounds! As in previous months, we've compiled some of our favorite shots and artwork to share with you. Below you'll find seven unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution formats. They're ready for you to use however you'd like. Feel free to download and set them as your desktop or phone background, or print them out and hang 'em on your wall. ... Read More

Introduced in 2015, the American Pipe-Making Exposition is an annual Smokingpipes tradition that showcases the work of U.S.-based artisan carvers, the style of each pipe united by a specific theme. Past years have highlighted the use of bamboo, certain finishing techniques, and aesthetic influences, and for 2021 — the 7th edition of the Expo — we return to 2017's theme: accent stems. ... Read More

Maybe there's something about working with three-dimensional forms that attracts brilliant minds. Or maybe three-dimensional forms generate brilliance in those who work with them. Either way, smart people think in three dimensions. Look at Michelangelo. Look at Leonardo da Vinci. Smart guys. ... Read More

Since 2015, the American Pipe Making Exposition has been an annual Smokingpipes tradition that showcases the work of US-based artisan pipe makers, as they create pipes specifically for that year's theme. Previous years have focused on accenting materials or finishing styles, with last year's expo themed around bamboo ... Read More

The American Pipemaking Exposition has become an annual, 4th of July tradition since we introduced it in 2015. The event focuses on a central, pipe-related element that either defines or has been championed by the American artisanal pipemaking tradition, with each carver submitting a piece showcasing that theme. ... Read More

We spend countless hours here at Smokingpipes extolling the virtues of briar (Erica Arborea). It is, of course, the most common current medium in the creation of tobacco pipes. However, as most know, it wasn't the first. ... Read More

As most who travel in pipe-related circles would be aware, this past weekend marked the 2017 CPCC Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show, and in usual form we opened the show with a dinner for our pipe makers. Or, more appropriately for this year, a cocktail party, complete with a photo booth to immortalise the shenanigans that ensued. ... Read More

Sometime back we asked a whole bunch of prominent American artisans to come up with pipes (one from each, that is) for our third annual American Pipemaking Exposition, a showcase of sorts highlighting interesting themes and happenings within the American pipemaking movement. ... Read More

A while back we discussed Jared Coles' visit to Adam's workshop. At the time, we focused on a sandblasted Disk that Adam produced, but Jared also crafted a pair of pipes himself — a smooth Disk, and a sandblasted asymmetric Tomato — both of which are available in today's update. ... Read More