Art ‘N a Box

Like many people, my first experiences with woodworking came about as I tried to outfit and maintain my home on a limited budget.  After over 30 years, 3 home additions, 2 complete kitchens, half a dozen finished basement projects and numerous pieces of furniture, the needs went away, but not the desire to continue working with wood.

In 1997, I started making boxes, thinking that small projects would not break the budget, and let me work with some great exotic and highly figured woods.  Furthermore, it was a practical approach to working within the small workshop I had available in our home in St. Charles.  (When we moved in, I carved out about 200 square feet of basement for my shop.  15 years later, and having moved a couple of walls, I was all the way up to about 400 square feet).  Four years later, in the fall of 2001,  I tried my first fine art show in Geneva, Illinois and was hooked, and have been making and marketing jewelry boxes, keepsake boxes and similar items, along with small pieces of furniture ever since.

 In 2008 my wife Diane and I “downsized” and built a home in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.  Downsized is a relative term.  While the house is smaller, the shop is much larger at a bit over 900 square feet plus I have a bay in the heated garage for finishing, and an office/crafting area for final fitting of the box interiors.  Diane likes to explain that we now have a workshop with living quarters!

Currently I am spending around 3 days a week working and teaching at the local Woodcraft Store in New Berlin, Wisconsin.  The balance of the week (and some of the weekend) is devoted to building out my inventory, designing new products, and visiting with children and grandchildren.  I have recently begun offering workshops and seminars related to woodworking and box making, and do an occasional one-on-one workshop in my home shop.

My web site, www.woodnonline.com contains examples of my work as well as a sampling of current inventory items.  It is also where I try to maintain my schedule of upcomong shows and other events.  Thanks for taking the time to visit!