HOFF Hoffman

Hoff lives in Washington DC for the major part of the year and for many years has spent his summers in Vermont. He currently works for the senior advocacy group AARP, which has a national office in Washington DC and a state office in Burlington Vermont.

Hoff took up playing the harmonica ten years ago, and after a few years realized that there was no fun/attractive way to carry around his harmonicas. After much research he found a few standard leather and metal cases that most harp players use, but little else. He checked the internet as well as the network of harmonica players, but was dissatisfied with the options available. About 6 years ago at the Stowe Craft fair he found a talented beadwork artist who made him a beautiful and functional case for his harmonica, that hangs from a chain and that he wears like a necklace.

Thus began the foremost collection of individually designed and hand crafted harmonica cases in the world. Hoff has co-designed over 150 cases with artists who work in a wide variety of mediums. There are over 30 artists from Vermont represented in his collection working in mediums such as clay; wood; porcelain; glass; vinyl; marble; soapstone; antler; ivory; silver; copper; brass; beads; driftwood; fiber; pewter; etc. etc.

According to Hoff “I love the fact that I can wear pieces of functional art/necklaces that have been co-designed with extremely talented artists from throughout the country – especially the wide variety of creative craft folks in Vermont. My psychotherapist wife was skeptical of my obsession at first– but now she has come around and is totally on board - it’s all good”.

Hoff is looking for unique ideas and craft people in Vermont to continue to grow this unique one-of-a-kind collection.