Full Chisel Hi, I�m Stephen Shepherd, I have been doing woodwork for a living for over 40 years but my interest began at an early date. In first grade (1954) I won an art contest and first prize was a �Handy Andy� toolbox, I wonder what that would be worth today. While studying Philosophy at the University of Utah I got a job as an apprentice Cabinetmaker at a large cabinet shop in Salt Lake, all European craftsmen from Germany and England. A friend owned an antique shop and I started repairing furniture and collecting old tools. I also attended a vocational school in an apprenticeship cabinetmaking program, which they no longer offer. When I became a journeyman I started working for museums in the West and Midwest and opened my own shop in 1979 doing antique restoration and traditional woodwork. I have written several articles and books on woodworking and hope to have my first book Shepherds� Compleat Early Nineteenth Century Woodworker originally published in 1981, published in paperback in 2004. Hide Glue - Historical & Practical Applications was published in 2009, as was the reprint of the 1824 Universal Receipt Book. In 2011 I published Shellac, Linseed Oil, & Paint-Traditional 19th Century Woodwork Finishes. I found WoodCentral in 1999; I wish this had been around when I started. I enjoy the discussions and the chats and am fortunate enough to be able to host the Tuesday Night Hand Tool Chat. I have yet to meet personally anyone I have met on line, with the exception of Barb, Dan, Mike, Bruce and John P. but many of the people on WoodCentral I consider friends. Stephen Shepherd
