Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Collin Worrel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Collin , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Every project I take on has meaning. I know that can sound cliché, but it’s truly what fuels my creative process. Whether I’m building custom frames or designing stage setups, I strive to create one-of-a-kind pieces that complement the unique character of a person’s home or event space. That level of creativity and detail doesn’t happen without understanding the people I’m designing for. I take time to get to know their space, their story, and their personal style. It’s about finding what matters most to them, then embedding that meaning into the art or structure I’m building. My goal is always to create something not just visually striking, but deeply personal and intentional.
Choosing my most meaningful project is tough. It might still be ahead of me. What matters most to me is making the client happy. That sense of connection and seeing their vision come to life is what gives each project its real meaning.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As my college years were coming to a close, it was time to put together my final photography portfolio. I wanted to showcase my work in a way that didn’t just blend in with my classmates’ projects, but truly represented me—my style, my aesthetic, and my love for unique textures.

The problem? I was a broke college student working construction to pay the bills.
The solution? Bring the job site into my art.

One day, we were tearing out the plaster and lath walls from a 1902 Point Loma house. The moment I saw those old lath boards—weathered, full of character, and riddled with a century’s worth of nails—I knew I had found something special. I carefully pried them from the walls and saved every single one I could carry, eventually stacking up a couple hundred boards.

From there, the real work began. Days were spent pulling rusty nails, wire-brushing decades of dust, and sorting the best pieces. Slowly, a plan started to form: I was going to build my own picture frames from this reclaimed wood.

I studied the backs of existing frames, learned how corners were joined, how glass was mounted, and what photo sizes were most common. Thrift stores became my gold mines—selling old, beat-up frames for next to nothing, sometimes even free. I’d strip them down, salvage the glass, and experiment with building my own.

Each frame I built carried its own history—the wood worn smooth by time, the glass rescued from forgotten corners, and my photographs breathing new life into both. What started as a necessity quickly turned into an obsession.

Soon, the question wasn’t “Can I make frames?” It was “What else can I build?”

Fast forward to today—my side yard is now home to my own wood shop, fully stocked with the tools I need to craft high-end custom frames. I cut my own glass, design made-to-order displays, and create art pieces for everything from sports memorabilia to canvas prints… even a few glowing LED signs.

What I’m most proud of, though, are the pieces of art that might have been forgotten—now cleaned up, framed, and proudly displayed. Or the frames that pull a room together and bring joy to someone’s everyday life. The ones I’ve made for friends and family, destined to be cherished and celebrated year after year.

To me, art should be on display. It’s something you love, something that says a little about who you are, and something worth sharing with others. And nothing makes me happier than knowing I built the frame that makes that moment shine.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to turn this into a full-time, self-made business. I love building and creating happiness through art on display—it’s incredibly gratifying. If I could take on enough orders to provide for my future family, work from my home wood shop, and create pieces that transform places and spaces, I’d truly be living the dream.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is creating something from nothing—or from very little—and watching it come to life. I’ve always loved looking at art and imagining the process an artist went through to make it. I enjoy how art sparks stories and conversations, and I find it deeply satisfying to know that a piece I’ve made has found a home where it will be appreciated and enjoyed for generations.

Contact Info:

• Website: Working On Building
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e8n9_customframes?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070606747466&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@build.create.inspire?si=8eQP8lJiVaxEQk27
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/pUcqq0iMKVMWLscWqr
• Other: Some other things I do

  YouTube
  I record live full sets of concerts and musicians.

  SoundCloud
  I make hour long mixes and have past shows I’ve DJ’ed recorded on this site.