Elia Bizzarri - Hand Tool Woodworking

Using 18th century tools and techniques, Elia Bizzarri rives, hews, shaves, and turns traditional Windsor chairs in his workshop in central North Carolina. Known for the quality and elegance of his turning technique, his chairs reflect an integral understanding of the intrinsic qualities of maple, poplar, hickory, and oak.

Career highlights:

Featured building a Continuous Arm Rocking Chair on Roy Underhill’s “The Woodwright’s Shop” on PBS

North Carolina governor Beverly Purdue highlighted his chairs in the Celebrate NC Craft Exhibition at the Governor’s Mansion in the Fall of 2010.

“Chairs are my passion and my livelihood. Since 2002, I have built Windsor chairs and taught chairmaking full-time. I have never had a ‘real job.’ For this I am thankful.”