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Growing up, I spent endless hours in my father's shop in our garage. I'd experiment with different tools
and build things with various types of wood. When I was a high school freshman, my brother warned me not to
take shop because the teacher was really tough on his students. I didn't listen. Turns out that was the best
decision I could've made. Mr. Hoebeke ran the class like a drill sergeant but happened to be a master at
woodturning. He taught me his method and over the years I've perfected it. In college I studied with Gilbert
Hutchings who has written many college textbooks on woodworking.
In addition to my engineering degree, I studied drafting and earned my teaching certificate. I taught shop
for almost a decade in Illinois at three different schools. Loved every minute. In each school the woodshop
program was close to dying before I started and by the time I was done it had skyrocketed.
During summers I worked construction until a designer from New York contacted me with a request for a custom
piece of furniture. She kept calling and the orders kept coming and in 1999 I made the decision to build
furniture full time.
I welcome clients to bring me photographs, sketches, or even just the idea of what they want. I can reproduce
practically any piece of furniture, but my specialty is still woodturning. I always start at my drawing board
and sketch out the piece, making sure the details and dimensions are in line with what my customer wants. |
It's really an honor to
create something that will remain in a family for generations.
(Photo by Daniel Brant Photography)
I enjoy recommending different kinds of wood - most people have no idea how many choices are out there.
I can get exotic wood from all over the world.
Your average woodworker does built-ins and kitchen cabinets. But I prefer the smaller, more challenging
projects that are hard to pull off. Many of my clients collect antiques and over the years I've reproduced many pieces
that have become heirlooms and are handed down from one family to the next. I love what I do, and it's really an honor to
create something that will remain in a family for generations.
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