| ABOUT THE ARTIST |
antique stores as I traveled around the country. I read books from the 19th century related to
military history and regulations, several books written for settlers heading west during the
mid-19th century and as many books as I could find with pictures of that era. These observations
led to a great deal of practice and experimentation, and eventually, to the construction methods that
I use today.
As for the punchwork that adorns many of my pieces, I have no explanation of how I came to use
that technique other than pure inspiration. A great deal of experimentation has led to my use of a
particular awl and rawhide mallet (which belonged to my great-grandfather, also a woodworker) to
ensure consistent depth, size and spacing of each punch.
Over the past several of years, a number of antique furniture dealers and period historians have
told me that punchwork similar to mine has been used by artisans around the world for centuries.
Recent research has led me to several examples and photographs. The photo below is of an early
18th century Welsh cabinet, with exquisite punchwork in the wooden door panels.
military history and regulations, several books written for settlers heading west during the
mid-19th century and as many books as I could find with pictures of that era. These observations
led to a great deal of practice and experimentation, and eventually, to the construction methods that
I use today.
As for the punchwork that adorns many of my pieces, I have no explanation of how I came to use
that technique other than pure inspiration. A great deal of experimentation has led to my use of a
particular awl and rawhide mallet (which belonged to my great-grandfather, also a woodworker) to
ensure consistent depth, size and spacing of each punch.
Over the past several of years, a number of antique furniture dealers and period historians have
told me that punchwork similar to mine has been used by artisans around the world for centuries.
Recent research has led me to several examples and photographs. The photo below is of an early
18th century Welsh cabinet, with exquisite punchwork in the wooden door panels.
When first becoming active in living history / reenacting as a
hobby several years ago, I quickly saw a need for well made,
historically accurate boxes and furniture pieces to complement
my impression. The first pieces were fairly simple, utilitarian
boxes, although they were constructed without the use of any
modern nails or fasteners. Most of my early customers were
fellow reenactors who saw my work at living history events,
liked what they saw and asked if I could make something
similar for them.
After a time, these same people began to ask for a variety of
other types of pieces, and business began to grow entirely by
word of mouth. At about that same time, I met a fellow artisan,
Nancy Lou Webster, who owns a store in my home town of
Elgin, Texas. She had seen one of the pieces I had made as a
gift for a friend, and suggested that I consider putting some
pieces in her store, W W Treenware. I have had items on
display and for sale there for the past seven years. My work
has also been available for several years through Frazer
Brothers, located in Dallas, Texas.
I am completely self-taught. I began by closely studying the
construction and style of pieces that I saw in museums and
hobby several years ago, I quickly saw a need for well made,
historically accurate boxes and furniture pieces to complement
my impression. The first pieces were fairly simple, utilitarian
boxes, although they were constructed without the use of any
modern nails or fasteners. Most of my early customers were
fellow reenactors who saw my work at living history events,
liked what they saw and asked if I could make something
similar for them.
After a time, these same people began to ask for a variety of
other types of pieces, and business began to grow entirely by
word of mouth. At about that same time, I met a fellow artisan,
Nancy Lou Webster, who owns a store in my home town of
Elgin, Texas. She had seen one of the pieces I had made as a
gift for a friend, and suggested that I consider putting some
pieces in her store, W W Treenware. I have had items on
display and for sale there for the past seven years. My work
has also been available for several years through Frazer
Brothers, located in Dallas, Texas.
I am completely self-taught. I began by closely studying the
construction and style of pieces that I saw in museums and
| Welsh panelled wall-hanging cupboard of unusual design and decorated with punchwork and pierced geometric designs, the cornice with broken dentil embellishment above a pair of central doors flanked by panels, c.1700 46" wide, 33" high, 10" deep |
| Unique, Hand-Crafted Reproductions and Gifts Made in Texas |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
