My story:

I built my first footstool at age 10 and restored my first antique woven cane chair at age 11 - both pieces are still in use today. Since childhood I have appreciated antique and unique furniture as well as historic architectural designs. Hands-on creativity has always energized me. My belief in redemption / restoration / renewed life extends philosophically to my tangible work restoring antique pieces to a new life of usefulness. I believe our homes should contain meaningful, functional, and aesthetically pleasing objects to enhance our daily life. More recently, I have been spending most of my time teaching middle school & high school age students in semester-long classes as I enthusiastically pass along traditional handcraft skills to our future generation of artisans.

Media:

Radio interview in 2019 on First Person with Wayne Shepherd - listen here.

Radio interview in 2026 on First Person with Wayne Shepherd - listen here.

Articles I have written appear in Mortise & Tenon Magazine, Pin & Tales (SAPFM.org), and Quercus Magazine.

Location:

My shop is in the western suburbs of Chicago where I serve local clients and teach my students. I also speak and demonstrate my craft for woodworking clubs, public events, homeschool groups, and community organizations.

Values:

Knowledge - I am a life-long student of the tools, techniques, and materials with which I work.

Quality - I aim for the highest possible quality in the tools and materials I provide for student use, the original curriculum I teach, and the end product I provide for clients.

Mission - I aim to advance the practice and appreciation of traditional woodworking skills. By teaching handcrafts and building quality products I hope to inspire both human creativity and deeper human relationships. My shop is a refreshingly tactile “analog experience” in a digital world.