Buckeye Burl Lidded Finial Hollow Vessel

Well, let me tell you about the man behind his work. Gerard Merchant was born in a small town in the hills of Virginia. He started with hammer and nails at the age of six, along with his twin brother, using their father’s tools and lumber. The family was raised in New York City, during the good, free and wild years ( no not the 60's) . Gerard got his first taste of construction in his early 20,s. While working construction he moved up to the position of supervisor/forman, by the age of 22. Gerard opened a shop years later in Tempe AZ, and in 1995 he was manufacturing custom kitchens and entry doors, for commercial and residential markets.
Gerard (I) have enjoyed learning as much as possible, being self taught, by reading everything that presented itself to him on woodworking. I find that as we grow older, our priorities change, and with age the focus has moved from a business of over working to a business of working smarter, ( and enjoying the grand kids as much as possible).While the commercial case work is a staple, and keeps my doors open.
My love for wood working, on custom cabinetry and custom home furnishing makes me giddy with joy. The attention to design, execution of old world techniques for joinery and construction, and a keen eye to the final finish, this is a loving patience to be enjoyed by future generations. Gerard has a deep passion in aspects of his craft, from the smell of fresh cut lumber, to the craft of honing sharp, hand tools.
Every item produced, is created with an abundance of positive energy, for admiration, conversation, and good old practicality.