Introducing Dave Heller - Furniture Maker, Instructor
In his own words: I have always made things, and wood calls to me. I did Chemical Engineering things for 30 years but in 2009 I escaped big oil and started making furniture full time. I have gravitated towards smaller and more elaborate pieces over the past 14 years, and expect that trend to continue.
I enjoy creating furniture that wants to be noticed, and is maybe a little pushy about it. My pieces speak with gorgeous woods, elegant shapes and vibrant color combinations, to decorate your spaces exactly as you’d like. I work in traditional styles like Federal, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau, and more modern derivations from them.
Marquetry and veneering are ways to dress up woodworking that are not difficult but require some specialized understanding. I mostly learned from books, but it is much faster to learn from a person. I was asked to share my techniques first in 2017, and things have grown from there. I taught technical things while in corporate America, and teaching marquetry is much easier because the students are so enthusiastic! I want to pass the techniques I have learned or developed to the next generation, so naked furniture becomes a thing of the past.
Coming to Louisville this summer
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Painting With Wood - Pictoral Marquetry Aug 22-23
We will use an electric scroll saw to cut free form pictures, such as flowers.
As with many techniques, dexterity and sensitivity to the material will impact how quickly you progress, however having some craft experience is very transferable to this class. Students with backgrounds in quilting, stained glass, and woodworkers with no veneer experience have all thrived.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
How to use a scroll saw to cut a packet of veneers
Steps to turning the pieces into small pieces of art, including sand shading, color selection, assembling & glue-up, and preparing the glued picture.
YOU'LL LEAVE WITH:
At least one completed marquetry picture. They make excellent box lids.
Cost: $400
Materials: Included
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Double Bevel Marquetry Intro - Aug 24-26
A new format for Double Bevel marquetry that makes room for individuals with limited or no experience.
In this three day class, we’ll start with a simple flower design to practice basic techniques, then progress to a more complex hummingbird composition.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
How to use a scroll saw to cut veneer
Both the additive and the insetting methods of double bevel marquetry.
How to orient grain and figure to generate painterly pictures
Picture assembly and glue-up
YOU'LL LEAVE WITH:
Two small size marquetry panels, perfect as wall art.
Cost: $650
Materials: Included