How it started.

I grew up around woodworking. My father is a hobbyist woodworker. My Great Grandfather was a woodworker. His focus was cabinetry and inlay, but he also built furniture that is as beautiful today as I imagine it was when he first completed the work. I have fond memories of his workshop within the beautiful four-story barn that he built on his property in Cochection, New York. His workbench is now part of my father’s workshop, and will one day be part of mine.

I have always enjoyed creating, building, and working with my hands, but my desire to start building heirloom items and furniture really came to life when my children were born. I starting finding things for their rooms that I liked, but quickly decided I wanted to make them myself. Making small items sparked interest in larger items. I began researching the craft and watching different woodworkers on Youtube. Foureyes (linked below) was the first channel that really made me want to take the jump into building and creating larger pieces. His channel led to others (more linked below as well), and I quickly fell in love with the process of getting back into working with my hands.

I love the clean lines of Mid-Century Modern, but also appreciate the rustic aspects that come from reclaimed material. I am still very much a student of the craft, learning new skills and techniques with each new project.

As a Special Education teacher in Beacon, New York, I have been able to incorporate aspects of woodworking into my classroom in recent years, passing along some of what I have learned along the way, and applying skills in the classroom in a way that makes sense outside of paper and pencil. It is amazing to see how contagious and therapeutic learning these skills can be.

I appreciate you taking the time to explore my work.