Whimsical Clocks & Colorful Keepsakes: New Work by Elisa Drumm
Posted by Wally Smith on
See the video of the unpacking of the new collection by clicking here.
There are some deliveries that instantly change the mood of a room — and this is one of them. We’ve just received a fresh group of whimsical clocks, along with a handful of small lidded boxes, from Elisa Drumm Van Auken of E. Drumm Designs. These pieces are bright, playful, and wonderfully functional — the kind of modern folk art that makes you smile every time you glance at it.
Color as a Superpower
Elisa’s work is often described as whimsical, but what truly anchors it is her command of color. She trained in textiles and worked professionally as a colorist/designer — a background that shows up in her confident palettes and lively compositions. As Elisa has said herself: “Color is my strength.”
From Textiles to Wood: A Maker’s Evolution
Before clocks and boxes, Elisa’s creative life revolved around fabric and print. Later, she traded sewing machines for power tools — table saws and sanders — and began exploring wood as her canvas. That shift didn’t change her artistic language; it expanded it. The same eye for pattern, rhythm, and color that works in textiles now shows up in carved and painted wood forms you can hang, use, and live with.
Why We Love Whimsical Clocks
A great clock is more than a timekeeper — it’s a small piece of daily theater. These clocks bring personality to practical living: kitchens, offices, hallways, reading corners, and anywhere you want a little art without needing a “special occasion” to enjoy it. They also group beautifully — if you’re building a gallery wall, a whimsical clock can be the piece that makes everything feel intentional.
Small Lidded Boxes: Tiny Art, Big Charm
Alongside the clocks, we received a few small lidded boxes — perfect as keepsake containers, desk companions, or thoughtful gifts. They’re the kind of objects people pick up, open, and smile at… and then immediately decide they need one for themselves, too.
A Family of Artists
Elisa comes from a family of makers — she is the daughter of artists Don and Lisa Drumm — and many pieces in her broader body of work include cast pewter accents designed by her father. That sense of generational craft and collaboration adds another layer to the story: these are objects made with skill, heritage, and a playful spirit.
See Them in Person (or Message Us for Photos)
As always with handmade work, the details are best appreciated up close: the brushwork, the edges, the personality in each form. If you’d like close-ups of the newest clocks and boxes, message us and we’ll help you find the right fit — whether you’re shopping for your own home or looking for a gift that feels truly special.