MAKER'S STATEMENT:
I am Pete E. Michelinie (mick·ah·LEE·knee), furniture maker. It is my goal as an individual to create only that which will be cherished, admired and passed down for years beyond my own existence. I believe wood has the ability to translate the maker's energy to those who hold, view, sit (perhaps) and treasure a crafted piece. This is why I hold high standards in my execution and attention to detail.

Every piece I make is first hand drafted to fully understand the details even before lumber has been cut. Throughout the building process all surfaces are hand planed to give a quality that looks and feels smooth and fair. I employ traditional joinery techniques such as mortise & tenon, mitres, and dovetail variations. These methods have been tested over thousands of years and have proven themselves. I choose to cut joints by hand because it allows for creative control and a proper fit. All of my work is finished by hand, whether with shellac, lacquer, oil or wax. Furniture is interactive and the finish plays an important part in the interaction with the hands and eyes.

MY BACKGROUND:
Throughout my life I have always been taking things apart and putting them back together. I spent my teenage years working on mopeds, motorcycles, all sorts of gadgets, vegetable oil powered cars and gazebos. After graduating from high school I took a trip half way around the world to New Zealand where I spent five months working on farms. It was then that I came to understand how important it was for me to make a living with my hands.

Upon returning home I enrolled in the two year Cabinet and Furniture Making Program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA where I learned techniques that would allow me to create just about any piece of furniture I could dream up. A deep appreciation for classical form and proportions were included with the education I received. Upon graduating I took another five month journey, this time walking the 2,176 mile long Appalachian Trail with fellow NBSS graduate and friend Matt Emery. After working out of the Hand Forged Works Studio in North Andover, MA for six months I moved my operations to the Pacific Northwest. I am now living in Portland, Oregon and taking on commissions at my shop.

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