Andy Brownell

Andy has had a life-long passion for building things. Yankee ingenuity,
and a family history of antiques were fostered in his father's basement shop,
and then in high school wood class. He learned to appreciate and apply the finer
skills of furniture making through a weekend apprenticeship with Jeff Miller (J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture) in Chicago, IL. This eight year experience gave him an understanding of hand and power tools, but more importantly, nuance of design, and the attention to detail and finish needed in fine, hand-made custom furniture. In a world of mass-produced knock-offs and particle board junk, Andy has made it a personal mission to help his generation appreciate great furniture and eventually craft every piece of furniture in his home.

By andy_blogger on 9/13/2009 8:53 PM

Spending some time with Geroge, I make a return trip to purchase some walnut, and learn about another woodworking adventure opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 9/5/2009 8:24 PM

As a woodworker hobbyist, I am always hard pressed to find a decent source of lumber at a reasonable price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 8/31/2009 8:30 PM

A slight delay in continuing my projects from the WIA event leads to one of the best (and easiest) project memories to-date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 8/25/2009 8:42 PM

In closing my posts for the event, a few thoughts on what the event meant to me and some others as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 8/20/2009 9:05 PM

Once the conference began, crowds continued to move in and out of the marketplace between lectures and demos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 8/20/2009 8:19 PM

Sometimes I can't help myself when I drive by a sight like this. Yet another giant tree is wasted in our urban forest, depriving it of a second life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 8/16/2009 8:23 PM

The Woodworking in America Conference was off to a great start with a quick and easy set-up, I was underway preparing some dovetails for glue-up for the next day's crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 8/10/2009 8:10 PM

I've been staying busy getting ready for the Woodworking In America Conference later this week in St. Charles, IL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 7/31/2009 4:22 AM

This week brought the Bookcase project to a close with some final finishing and installation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

By andy_blogger on 7/23/2009 6:18 AM

As I come close to the end of the bookcase project, a washing machine overflow on the floor above my workshop leaks down onto my unfinished wood surfaces. Luckily everything dried out fine. So just a little more sanding before finishing it up.  Whew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

Can't get enough of the Gorilla?  Come visit us at...