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Artisan Spotlight: greataswegokazoofactory
by George “Doc Kazoo” Collins
Please start by telling us a little about yourself and your studio.
I am known by most people online and in real life as “Doc Kazoo”, The Old Kazoo Maker at the Great Aswego Kazoo Factory. I was born and raised in the foothills of Western North Carolina in the 1950′s where I was fortunate to be surrounded by a rich atmosphere of bluegrass and folk music/musicians. In my ArtFire Studio you will find the world’s greatest selection of handmade wooden folk kazoos. Each Aswego Kazoo is a unique high quality handmade folk instrument. No two Aswego Kazoos are ever exactly the same. They are never mass produced in a “cookie cutter” manner. Aswego Kazoos are found around the world with families, performing musicians, folk instrument bands, recording studios, and folk instrument museums. I specialize in Special Order Kazoos made to the customer’s specifications.
If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?
I am best defined by the unique one of a kind design of my kazoos, the high quality of their sound reproduction and their beautiful visual presentation.
What role does your family play in your art?
Uncle Joe Original Folk Kazoo
My wife is a classically trained pianist and flutist who is also my most honest critic. Her discipline as a musician and a music teacher inspires me to always strive for my kazoos to be of the same quality found in world renowned classical instruments. She is also my quality assurance partner testing the range and key of each of my Collector and Concert Series Kazoos.
Where do you live and what is it like?
I can be found on our five acre homestead in the beautiful woods of Central Florida where the Kazoo Factory and our home are both located. I find the solitude and closeness with nature invaluable as a Folk Artist.
Where did you learn your medium?
I learned to make kazoos from my father when I was a kid in the family homestead workshop from materials readily available. My first kazoo was made as a working tool. My daily chores included going to the hen house around sunrise to collect eggs and I never knew what wild critter I would come upon stealing eggs. My old pocket kazoo was a great device to chase them out of the hen house. In fact my dad insisted that when I was playing in the woods I always have that old kazoo in my pocket. Back then it was common to walk up on a bobcat or black bear and a loud blow on that old pine kazoo always sent them running on their way.
What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?
The goal of my ArtFire Studio is to sell my kazoos most certainly, but more importantly it to share with the world my creations as a Folk Artist and Kazoo Maker. I hope to introduce the humble kazoo to the world as much more than a mere toy. I wish to present it as the original American folk instrument that it truly is. I view each kazoo that I make as my legacy that will survive long after my life. I would like to know that a hundred years from now one of my kazoos will be brought to an Antique Show by a family member with their kazoo that has been passed from generation to generation filled with special family memories.
How did you come to selling online?
Electric Cigar Box Diddley Bow
I decided to sell my kazoos online at the encouragement of friends for whom I have made kazoos and the desire to my folk kazoos enjoyed across America and around the world. I am very proud to have kazoos in all fifty states and eleven countries now.
How did you come to find a home on ArtFire?
My wife found ArtFire and suggested that this is the place for my folk art instruments. I have found it best to always follow her advice. Which I am very happy I did with ArtFire.
What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?
The best advice I can offer any artist is to have fun creating. Don’t focus on selling. Focus on the joy of creating your art. Believe in yourself and always hold your work as your greatest reward. The sales will come on their own.
Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?
Those of us that make handmade products, regardless what they are, are first and foremost Artist and the world is enriched by their creations. This has been true through the ages and will be so for ages to come. In these times of mass production and media marketing true Artist are becoming more and more rare. Few Artist ever become rich financially but each Artist gains a spiritual wealth beyond compare with their work. In turn the people that buy our art gain a sense of pride in owning a creation from the hands of the Artist. There is a mutual satisfaction for both the Artist and the Buyer that is of far greater significance than profit or monetary value. Each of my kazoos are a reflection my character and passion as a Folk Artist. On this fact I place the highest value of all.
Fun shop!! My kids would love these!!
It’s always fun to learn more about the artists behind the shops!
Very nice. All good qualities to show as a person and in your craft.
Hi Christie and Brian,
Thanks for the very kind comments. I have customers visit the workshop from time to time. From as far away as Glasglow Scotland to as close as down the road and everybody enjoys the visit including myself. Once in a while we will hum some kazoo and pick some guitar. This is what I want my online kazooist to experience when I make their special order kazoos and they get to watch it being made. With my video updates I have been able to achieve this to a great degree. Now if I could just add the beautiful smell of wood from the workshop to the video.
Though I do want to sell my kazoos that is not the primary motivation for making them. Each kazoo I ship is not only a quality wooden folk instrument, each are also individual sculptures. Each are unique and never exactly alike. When I start a kazoo I have a general idea of the shap from pictures and drawings of past kazoos. Where this interpretation of a design will be determined by the wood itself as I start to shape it.
Most importantly I love being in the workshop making kazoos. Listening to the radio while working and occasionally having to stop work, grab a kazoo and play along with a tune on the radio. LOL Life is good when I move slow but deliberate! LOL
“Doc”