ABOUT ME....
If you've been surfing the Web looking for a particular piece of furniture, welcome! I'm a Roman Catholic priest, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, stationed in South Bend IN. My primary ministry is fund-raising for the Congregation. Woodworking is my avocation.
Spending some time in the shop each day is important to me because it provides a sense of creative balance in my life.....a chance to work with my hands instead of my head and mouth. The workshop is the one place I feel most totally myself, for it combines solitude, spirituality, manual labor, making things for people I love and care for, and also a chance to teach other CSC's and layfolks a hobby that will lead to a lifetime of enjoyment, or an active retirement.
Skills have been gained through observation, reading, New Yankee Workshop and American Woodworker, plus several classes at the Center For Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport ME. Above all, I learn by doing and by making mistakes.
I'm not a professional woodworker, but I do try to do good solid work...nothing will leave my shop that I'm not proud of. On a scale of 1 - 10 (ten being professional) I'd probably rate myself a 7.5. Those who have received my work say I rate myself too low. That may be, but I'll all too aware of the mistakes and imperfections. Even though the mistakes and imperfections are an inherent part of working with the living creature that is wood, there's still that desire or quest for greater perfection.
Ideally, you would provide the design or a good description for what you have in mind. Don't limit yourself to what you see on these pages. I'm willing to try most anything, for that's how one learns!
Spending some time in the shop each day is important to me because it provides a sense of creative balance in my life.....a chance to work with my hands instead of my head and mouth. The workshop is the one place I feel most totally myself, for it combines solitude, spirituality, manual labor, making things for people I love and care for, and also a chance to teach other CSC's and layfolks a hobby that will lead to a lifetime of enjoyment, or an active retirement.
Skills have been gained through observation, reading, New Yankee Workshop and American Woodworker, plus several classes at the Center For Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport ME. Above all, I learn by doing and by making mistakes.
I'm not a professional woodworker, but I do try to do good solid work...nothing will leave my shop that I'm not proud of. On a scale of 1 - 10 (ten being professional) I'd probably rate myself a 7.5. Those who have received my work say I rate myself too low. That may be, but I'll all too aware of the mistakes and imperfections. Even though the mistakes and imperfections are an inherent part of working with the living creature that is wood, there's still that desire or quest for greater perfection.
Ideally, you would provide the design or a good description for what you have in mind. Don't limit yourself to what you see on these pages. I'm willing to try most anything, for that's how one learns!
TIME......
One question folks frequently ask is: "How long?" The answer to that question depends on whether or not I have commissions in progress or on the waiting list. I can always give you a preliminary answer when we first make contact and talk about what you want. Remember: this is a part-time avocation, influenced by ministerial and community responsibilities. In all honesty and fairness, if you are in a hurry, I'm probably not your best choice.
