Join fine furniture maker Dave Heller of Heller and Heller Customer furniture as he demonstrates his beautify mastery of veneer at his booth during the festival.

Dave Heller is a furniture maker in Charlottesville VA. His focus is on traditional veneered and inlaid furniture, primarily in the Federal, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. He has run Heller and Heller Custom Furniture for the past 11 years.

He has long been fascinated by patterns, and strived to incorporate them into his furniture. In the late 90’s he wanted to dress up the interior of a roll top desk he was making, and found an attractive veneered example in a book. He learned how to veneer to complete the roll top desk, which his father-in-law still uses daily. He learned marquetry shortly after to better incorporate pictures into his work.

To this day, he continues to refine his technique in order to make what he envisions – or what his customers want. He has studied under several accomplished artists, has read most of the books, but mostly he experiments and makes furniture and art pieces. He now teaches both saw and knife based marquetry approaches throughout Virginia and now beyond, including at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. In a prior life Dave was a Chemical Engineer, so he may geek out if asked about finishing or glues. Learn more about Dave Heller at hellerandhellerfurniture.com. Dave is teaching a veneer course at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute the week after the festival. CLICK HERE to learn more about the course and register.