Repairing an Historic Gustav Stickley Mission Chair For a number of years, I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with a friend who is an avid collector of furniture from the Arts and Crafts period, roughly 1900 - 1915. Most people refer to the furniture as Arts and Crafts or Mission furniture. Heavy, square and dark, it is plain, without ornamentation - other than the natural beauty of the wood itself. Most of the better pieces of this furniture were made with quartersawn white oak. The growth rings, or medullary rays in the oak are laid-open like a book and are truly stunning. It was an expensive way to make furniture, but it rendered the wood very attractive and beautiful. Recently, my friend brought me a Gustav Stickley model #367 spindled Morris chair, from 1910. While there were many prominent designers and makers of Arts and Crafts furniture, Gus Stickley's Craftsman Workshops is generally the most highly regarded of them. Located just outside of Syracuse, in Eastwood, NY, it was in operation from 1901 - 1916. A fine example of Stickley’s many designs, it is an attractive chair. These chairs were not cheap. This particular model was approximately $33.00 [...]

Greetings! This is the first post on my new website for Keeber Custom Woodcraft! I am very excited and pleased with the look, feel and function of the site, all of which is due to the work of Kira Brooks of Kira Brooks Designs. Thanks, Kira, for the excellent work. In the future, I will use these blog posts to keep you updated on the work I am doing in my shop, showing progress on projects, discussing design, offering tips and sharing information. Please follow my posts and share my love of woodworking. Right now, I am finishing a lovely chest for our granddaughter Victoria whose first birthday was this past weekend. I will share pics in the next day or two to show you the chest unfinished, and then in its final state. In the meantime, thanks for visiting and be sure to check back often to see my work.  

Wood has a timeless spirit… warm to the touch, inviting to the eye, each piece unique in its grain and form. When carefully crafted, a piece of wood can be transformed in a way that can find a place in your home and in your heart. With so many products now produced in factories and made of modern materials surrounding us, we can lose sight of what a well-made piece of furniture can add to our homes and our lives. When a piece is personally created to suit your needs, your lifestyle, it becomes something that brings pleasure and satisfaction every time you touch it, sit in it, engage with it. With nearly 40 years of experience, I create a wide variety of fine furniture, art pieces, and solid, functional cabinetry for your home or office. Working with the spirit of the wood, I design and build quality crafted items. Each piece is handcrafted with exacting attention to detail. Whether you are seeking a traditional or contemporary piece, let me create for you a unique item that will become a cherished family heirloom.