11/20/2024
My interest in woodworking has been with me for as long as I can remember. Growing up in old Brampton during the 70's, the extraordinary mill-work inside many of the homes in the neighbourhood fascinated me. The beautiful solid wood kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities; the wood panelled walls; the hand-built staircases with their carved newel posts, shaped railings and turned spindles....I was truly in awe of the masterful skill and technique involved to execute such beautiful yet robust utility.
This fascination quickly grew to include old furniture and an appreciation for any well built piece that was crafted with the expectation that it would never again need replacing. It was the methods of joining pieces of wood together (in ways that ensure that they don't come apart) that really intrigued me. The discovery that a properly fitted joint would continue to hold strong long after the glue had failed was an 'Aha!' moment. I quickly went to work (using my fathers limited collection of woodworking tools and any scraps of wood I could find) in an effort to replicate the traditional joinery methods I was so enthralled with.
Two very enthusiastic wood shop teachers (thank you Mr. Boyd and Mr. Johnson) who recognized my passion and willingness to learn, further developed my skill-set by allowing me to explore ideas outside of the set curriculum. By the time I finished high school, I was carving ball and claw feet for old English reproduction furniture. This skill got me hired by a small furniture and repair shop in Caledon (later moved to Orangeville). I spent four years repairing antique furniture, reproducing pieces, cabinet making and learning the intricacies of various finishing methods, and all with the confidence and tutelage of my highly skilled mentor/boss and his wife (thank you Vic and Gillian). The repair work was invaluable to advancing my skills. The forensics involved in de-constructing, then rebuilding of pieces so carefully crafted only furthered my understanding of how to do things properly.
These experiences have shaped my thinking throughout my life; There is only one way to do things (and not just furniture making) and that is with passion, care, skill and an open mind (to learning new ideas) to deliver the best product possible. No compromise, no cut corners and an unwavering attention to detail.
Sadly, the modern world has less room for skilled crafts-people. Affordable consumer products built by large corporations (outside of North America) with only profits (not a satisfied customer) as their mandate, fail to deliver true quality to the masses. Planned obsolescence is the order of the day to keep the wheels of consumerism turning.
Alas, I am a very stubborn man. I only know how to deliver quality. There is indeed a premium to what the real makers produce, but think of this premium as an insurance policy. Knowing that a skilled crafts-person has endeavored to create a lasting treasure that performs the way you expect it to, without fail.
No compromise.
