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I have been working with wood for nearly my entire life. My father was a carpenter,
and I had a toolbox and handtools by 7 years old. In high school I worked with him on jobsites through the summers.
After high school I studied architecture at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for two years. I left school to
work in furniture and architectural millwork for 4 years when I stumbled across an opportunity.
I was working on a large addition to the Dahlkemper mansion in Erie. The original
building was very ornate with carved black walnut casing and crown. The contractor needed 7 feet of two different mouldings
to complete a new doorway into the addition. After watching many failed attempts to cast the pieces in plaster, I suggested
that I might be able to do it. I had not really carved before.
I bought a set of carving tools, and worked after regular hours to complete
the job. Just as I finished I saw a help wanted ad in Fine Woodworking magazine for a hand carver and master model maker
in Jamestown NY. I applied for the job, and was hired on the spot. For over 5 years I carved furniture parts 40
hours a week at MasterCarvers of Jamestown, a furniture parts supplier. There I had the opportunity to carve models
for lines of furniture for clients like Pennsylvania House, Henrendon, Ethan Allen, and Sligh. I production carved hundreds
of peices for Steinway pianos and the Stickley Bros. Company, and i got to carve a reproduction newel post for the Davies
mansion along with 200+ balusters.
MasterCarvers closed shop in 2004.
I started this business so that I can continue to practice my craft. I produce carvings for the Kittinger Furniture
Co. in Buffalo NY, the Baldwin piano company, and handle commision large and small for institutions and individuals.
I now have almost 10 years experience to offer. Thank you for considering my work
---Brian L Millspaw
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| Self portrait with unicorn |
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