About Candera Period Designs

Candera Period Designs was established in 2007 specializing in fine woodworking. I have been involved in woodworking for over 40 years. Ever since receiving a scroll saw, from my parents, at the age of four, I have been actively pursuing my love of the craft. My father, while not a professional, was a very accomplished woodworker, and my first teacher.

"There are two men inside the artist, the poet

and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One

becomes a craftsman.” - Emile Zola

After graduating from college I entered into a family contracting business with my older brother, from whom I also learned a lot. While working together, we undertook many interesting projects involving historical restorations for the state of New Jersey.  It was at this time that I came to appreciate the skills that our predecessors in the trade possessed. Their ability to produce marvelous work without the modern "advantages", that we now enjoy, was truly impressive. The one advantage they did have over modern tradesmen was the apprenticeship system, used to teach the next generation of craftsmen.  As a modern woodworker, it was my challenge to go about learning in a much less structured more self-driven manner. As my interest turned from architectural antiquities to reproduction furniture and cabinetry, I sought out people who could impart this knowledge to me. I was fortunate enough to be tutored by some of the best modern day craftsman including Gene Landon, Steve Latta, and Mack Headley. They offered many wonderful classes, with instruction on making reproductions of some of the finest museum quality pieces available.  These formal instructions along with lots of "informal" education coming in the form of books, magazines, and videos have made up my apprenticeship.