People often ask me how I got into furniture making. I tell
them that I became a furniture maker because I couldn't find
the right chairs for my dining room table. During the search
process, I actually thought to myself, "I guess I'll just have
to make my own chairs!" At this time, I had never built anything out of wood (or any other material).
So, I enrolled in a community education class: Beginning Woodworking.
Three months later, I had built a coat rack - a long way off from
those dining room chairs, but on track for a new career! I devoured
all the local classes I could over the next two years and built as
much as I could with all the community education class time I could
buy (living in an apartment, this was the only shop space I had).
Realizing that my hobby had quickly turned into my passion, I left
my full-time job to focus solely on furniture making.
Already a college graduate, I knew I wanted to take a different
approach to traditional schooling, so I became an apprentice; first
to Berthold Schwaiger at the Bauhaus Apprenticeship Institute (now
defunct since the founder's death ) and then to the renowned maker,
designer and author Jeff Miller of J.
Miller Handcrafted Furniture, both in Chicago, IL. After gaining nearly a year and a half of
invaluable experience, I moved back to Minneapolis and set up shop
of my own. And, although a relative newcomer to the ranks
of full-time furniture makers, I have quickly earned a reputation
as an accomplished furniture maker and craftsman. |
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In the first show that I entered, the Northern Woods Exhibition,
I won the "Top Drawer" award for my Pagoda
Music Stand. It was later pictured along with several
other winners in Woodwork Magazine. The last two
years I have received outstanding praise from the judges.
Now, I'm excited to be involved in my second article for American
Woodworker Magazine. Coming out in October 2008, it will
feature my Puritan Line
Morris Chair and Ottoman. The first article I was involved
with, building a "Sapele Display Cabinet", is in issue
#134 March 2008. Authored by Richard
Helgeson, I was privileged to be asked to build the piece for
the article.
I design most passionately in the Arts-and-Crafts, Shaker and Danish
Modern traditions. I design furniture to be simple, honest and direct. I seek solid shapes and lines, subtle
details and harmonious proportions; furniture that looks and feels right.
I love the process of giving concrete form to the wishes of my
clients. It's wonderful to have the ability to stare
at a blank piece of wood, imagine its form, and then bring it to life.
It's a combination of artistry and craftsmanship; a tangible
expression of aesthetic judgment! I work primarily in solid
wood using a variety of traditional and contemporary construction
methods. This ensures that each piece can withstand the rigors
of normal use (and abuse). I also generally work with hand-applied
finishes but realize that some furniture demands the use of modern
lacquers.
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I believe commissioning original furniture should be an exciting experience,
one in which the client and craftsman come together in the creation
of something personal and distinctive. The commissioning process
begins with a visit to your home to share and discuss ideas.
We will consider the current physical environment and how the new
piece will fit into the larger context of your own aesthetic sensibility.
After this meeting, I will come back to you with sketches. Once
we agree upon a direction, I do scaled drawings (as well as mock-ups
and prototypes as needed). Upon approval of the drawings, work
can begin! This process can take weeks or months. It depends
upon your project and my work load. I will always keep you informed
as to how your piece is progressing. I realize that designing
and executing furniture becomes a very personal process for both of
us. I want to ensure that upon delivering your piece, there
are no surprises and that all you feel is peace of mind; knowing you
received exactly what you expected and desired. |
Furniture should be functional and great to look at. It should
move you to want to be around it; to sit in it, to sit at it, to
display your dishes, your artwork, whatever it is; it should inspire
you to use it. My belief is that good furniture has the capacity
to enrich people’s lives.
To learn more about my work, I invite you to explore my website.
I make custom furniture for my clients and for other furniture
designers. My own furniture can be found by selecting the
DESIGNER'S PORTFOLIO
link at the top of this page. Furniture that I have constructed
for other designers can be found by selecting the MAKER'S
PORTFOLIO link. The DRAWING
BOARD link offers design ideas that have yet to be made.
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If you would like to discuss a future project, my contact information
and general pricing information can be found via the CONTACT
link.
I hope you enjoy this site and that my work sparks your interest
in custom-made fine-furniture. I look forward to working with you! (And, no, I still haven’t
made myself those dining room chairs. Maybe someday soon…)
Best Wishes,
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