I am a Lutheran pastor and a life long woodworker who has a large congregation in Devils Lake, North Dakota. In my free time I make things out of wood, especially Scandinavian woodcarvings and authentic handmade wooden chairs in the Shaker and Windsor tradition. My wife, Barb, is a teacher and also a woodworker and she makes beautiful pens on her lathe. Our website got part of its name, Black Swamp Windsors, from the area where we spent our early years. Thanks for checking out our website.
Carving a Chair Crest
My chairs are solidly built, one at a time in my shop, with attention to details. I build them like they were made over 200 years ago. I learned how to do this from the best chairmakers.
Philadelphia High Back Windsor Chair
I make Handmade Chairs for my family and upon request. Most of my Windsor chairs are painted black using the milk paint finishes that were so characteristic of Windsor chairs of the 1700s. This updated website provides a portfolio of my work as a Chairmaker and gives examples of other furniture and carvings I've done over the years.
Nevertheless, my hope is that you might love to own one of these chairs as much as I do making them.
spokeshaves
One of my signatures as a Windsor and Shaker chairmaker is that I use many hand tools, especially spokeshaves. I stand with those woodworkers who appreciate the care and use of hand tools. Using hand tools in chairmaking is an important part of the tradition of craftsmanship evident in period furniture pieces. I utilize the traditional construction methods for these chairs so they are authentic reproductions right down to the tool marks and finish.
In the past Barb and I have worn period costumes, as artisans, at historic sites in Northwestern Ohio, Northeastern Ohio, and in Upstate New York. My wife, Barb, and I were honored to take part in the 200th Anniversary of the First Seige 1813-2013 at Fort Meigs. The event involved a major re-enactment of a War of 1812 battle and thousands of people turned out.
