Working with wood has always been my dream and now, my dream-come-true.

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      It all began when I was in eighth grade. I could not wait for high school! I could finally take woodworking shop courses…so I thought. When I got to high school, my mom and dad “forgot” to tell me it was a college prep school and it did not have a wood working shop. Not only was it a college prep high school, but it was an all-boys high school. “Awe come on!” I eventually forgave them, and never lost my desire to be a woodworker. Lucky for me, in my senior year, I got a job as a carpenter’s helper building new houses. Boy was I thrilled! Every summer after that, I had a trader job...

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Little did I know…

 

     As a union laborer, one day my boss came over to me and said, “Tony, we’ve got a problem.” I could only think, I am a hard worker. How could he fire me? Far from the truth, he instead told me that I was working too hard and that if we all did that the job would end too quickly. He told me to find a pipe to hide in and take a nap after lunch every day. Not wanting to get fired, I took daily naps. In college, I took art courses. I spent three years throwing pots, selling many of them to a local arts consignment shop. 

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Little did I know…

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     As a young man, I would visit friends’ Victorian houses and would “ooh and aah” walking in and out every room. I was hooked and wanted to buy a Victorian house “when I grew up”.

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   When I did grow up, I found a beautiful restored Victorian house and fell in love with it making it my home. I went on to buy and rehab nine more Victorians in my “spare time”.

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Life continued…

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    I married and became a father of three. Without hesitation, yet not forgotten, my passion for wood was put on the back burner. My children grew up and left our nest. I turned their bedrooms into wood storage and finishing rooms. (Now, they can’t come back! LOL!) My passion moved back to the front burner and I was on fire. My dreams grew bigger. What if I became a woodworker and sold my furniture?

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Life continued…

 

       I studied the woodworking trade, reading and practicing, constantly. I participated in numerous workshops and took many specialty courses at the Connecticut School of Woodworking such as inlays, design, finishing, and how to create a Japanese Kumiko which would up my game. It was obvious I wanted to learn as much as I could. I was fortunate to be mentored by two very experienced woodworkers, Glen Trim and Steve Rice. As they say, practice makes more practice. I am grateful and humble to be living my dream-come-true. 

 

Little did I know…

 

       I would win awards at fine craft fairs such as the New England Woodworking Show (first place, twice) and The Mattoon Arts Festival (second place). 

 

Look at my work and you decide for yourself.

 

       I have been selling at some of the most prestigious shows in New England and have had rave reviews from my customers. One even sent me a holiday card thanking me for my work. Seeing the happy faces of people who have purchased from me is very heart-warming. A couple came to pick up a table from me. They were so excited when they saw the table. They thanked me profusely. When we were putting it in their truck, I shook the man’s hand and went over to shake the woman’s hand. She said, “You deserve a hug, not a handshake.” 
     I woodwork with a passion as I settle into retirement, but experiences like these are what gives me great joy and fuels this passion that drives me to create as I once only dreamt as a boy.
                                                                        Tony Restivo
 

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