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Biography
David A. Weaver has been a cabinetmaker and craftsman in Pennsylvania
for more than 36 years. Several years were also spent working in the
Appalichian mountains of southeastern Kentucky, learning regional arts
and craft skills. Trained as an apprentice in the traditional methods of
the woodworking trade. he has done everything from restoring and
reproducing period antique furniture to creating his own unique pieces.
In addition to work on large-scale projects, like the interior and
exterior of period homes, his other interests have led him to produce
more refined crafts- beadwork, jewelry, carvings, and flutes and rattles
created under the tutelage of Native American tradition. Residing with Romanian artist Alice Schwager, on a beautiful piece of
woodland cut by an old and spirited creek, he finds that nature and the
trees around him provide an endless supply of materials and inspiration
to share with others.
Techniques
David employs traditional tools (planes, chisels, hammers, saws, scrapers, etc.) and hand-applied surfacing and finishing techniques with all of his work. It is important to him to stay as true as possible to the original methods, whether it be dovetailing, steam bending of woods and sulfur inlay or the tuning of his flutes, which involves measuring the space between pitch holes based upon the space between his knuckles. He also works in other media such as, leathers, bone, horn, antler, clay, shell, beads, natural pigments, feathers and collects and hand polishes stones that can be worked with hand tools, such as, turquoise, slate, serpentine, pipestone and soapstone. Often these materials are carved or sculpted and/or combined together in the creation of a single work.
I use as many materials from Spirit Run Lodge as possible. Other
materials are purchased from sources where they were aquired in sacred,
respectful and traditional indigenous methods. Steam bent handles are
from this land (SRL) and usually made from fallen hickory branches,
however other woods such as mulberry and ash have been used as well. The
horn is steer, purchased it from friends selling at Native Pow-wows,
those who I highly respect. Horns are often sold in the rough and I
file, sand and polish them to a smooth shine before attaching them to
handles. The horn tip or cone shaped rattle horns are attached to deer
antler handles. I prefer to use naturally shed antlers whenever
possible.
Wooden ends are sewn to the horn and usually made of red cedar but
other woods are or can be used as well. Deer hide and glass beads are
used as adornment and hand grips. Custom work is also prefered.
The more spirit and energy that is used in the making or using of an
object, the more powerful it will become. I prefer to have the person in
mind when making something but I have found they always seem to get to
those people who need or want them.
Clients
| 1. |
The Wheatland Foundation, Home of 15th U.S. President James Buchanan
(Lancaster, PA)
* Restoration of Buchanan's and first lady Harriet Lane's furniture in
the home.
* Interior restoration on the floors, woodworking and main
banister/stairway.
* Reproduction pieces of furnishings in the home for sale at auctions
benefiting the Wheatland Foundation.
* Use of wood from native trees on the property to make new
pieces-turnings, etc.
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| 2. |
John J. Snyder Jr., Acclaimed period antique expert, architectural
historian and authority and collector of Lancaster County/southeast
Pennsylvania antiques and period tall case clocks.
* 30+ years of restoring his antique furniture and clock cases.
* Interior and exterior of his 1812 home.
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| 3. |
State of Pennsylvania.
*Restoration of 100+ clock cases from the state capital building in
Harrisburg (some of the clocks were designed by architect Joseph Huston
to match his designs for the building in the early 1900s) .
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| 4. |
Heritage Center Museum (Lancaster, PA).
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| 5. |
The Hermitage, Home of U.S. President Andrew Jackson (Nashville, TN).
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| 6. |
Landis Valley Museum (Lancaster, PA).
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| 7. |
The National Clock & Watch Museum (Columbia, PA).
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| 8. |
Phillips Museum of Art, Franklin & Marshall College (Lancaster, PA).
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| 9. |
Quarryville Public Library (Quarryville, PA).
* Created a cherry, curly maple, oak and ash podium featuring a painted
panel of the Susquehanna River with an applied carving of a Great Blue
Heron.
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| 10. |
Rock Ford Plantation, Home of Revolutionary General Edward Hand
(Lancaster, PA).
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| 11. |
Joseph Firecrow and other recording artists, such as, R. Carlos
Nakai, Jackie Tice, Demian Yumei (Dreamsinger), Clann an Drumma and Chris
Wind Eagle, have purchased or have been gifted flutes and rattles.
Native American Elders have also been recipients of these items, using
them for healing and/or ceremony, singing and dancing. |
Exhibitions & Awards
David has participated in a number of local shows - public and private -
and has received a variety of honorable mentions and awards.
* The Mount Gretna Art Show (Mount Gretna, PA).
* Bear Crossing (run by the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble in New Ringgold,
PA).
* Best of Show in Woodworking from the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman .
* Long's Park Arts Show (Lancaster, PA).
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