I became a professional furnituremaker and woodturner in 1997 after graduating from the Cabinet and Furniture Making program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA. I got started in woodworking by owning an old house that needed lots of work. I would faithfully watch episodes of This Old House and New Yankee Workshop and try out what I learned on the shows. I knew that would only take me so far in educating me on such a vast topic. I found that I could take part time classes or workshops at North Bennet Street School. I took three woodworking workshops and became "hooked." At the time, I lived close to the school and decided to apply to their full time Cabinet and Furniture Making program. I was accepted and became a full time student between 1995 and 1996 learning as much about furniture making and woodturning as I could.
I spent the next ten years(1997-2007) working for the school, running their workshop program, developing and teaching woodworking and woodturning courses. During this time I also built custom furniture for many clients in the New England area. Many of these pieces included turned elements such as beds and chairs.
In 2007 I moved to Vermont full time and started working in the shop at my home that I owned since 2001. The shop is in the barn on the property and was converted to a cabinet shop back in the 1940's. I am the third furniture maker/woodworker to own this house (built 1895) and work in this shop.
I have written articles for Fine Woodworking magazine and WoodenBoat magazine.
I receive first place award for my cherry with black inlay bowl at the Vermont Fine Furniture & Wood Products Design Competition in 2012. I was voted Woodworker of the Year in 2006 by the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association. In 2016, I received the Distinguished Alumni Award from North Bennet Street School.
I am more involved in woodturning than furniture making these days, although I still make furniture pieces on speculation. I rather enjoy the pleasure and challenge of creating beautiful turned bowls and platters from highly figured woods.