Chicago designer Beau Hale has made a career out of building museum exhibits for institutions such as The Field Museum, but it’s what he does on his own time that has started catching people’s attention.

Hale spends his evenings and weekends crafting beautiful furniture, lighting, and accessories out of all sorts of materials (wood, steel, acrylic, industrial wool felt).

One of my favorites? This pendant lamp made out of eucalyptus.

Designing furniture and accessories is a natural fit for Hale, who grew up with a dad who was a cabinet maker and carpenter. And ever since he built his first chair ten years ago, he hasn’t been able to stop.

His next piece, a chair he’s developing with Unbranded Design, will be in production soon. Some of his current pieces are available at Transistor (3441 N. Broadway) and on his website. You can also look for them at street fairs like the upcoming Design Harvest September 28 and 29.