About_Me

After 18 years in the telecommunications business doing everything from engineering to business development, I made a
life-changing decision in 2001 to pursue my passion of designing and building truly distinctive furniture for a living - that's
when I started Lost Art Woodworks. Although I have been building furniture for the past 9 years, I've found
woodworking as a profession to be the most rewarding, inspiring, sometimes frustrating experience, but always filled with
the desire that I will leave my children with the example that you can still follow your dreams.

My designs will always evolve, and yet always remain in contact with the traditions from which they arise. My favorite
pieces often blend simple accent elements from the 18th century with elements of the Arts and Crafts era of the early
1900s and the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 30s. My furniture is built traditionally with a fine domestic hardwood such
as cherry, accented by exotic hardwoods and veneers, creating a piece of furniture that invites attention longer than just a
few moments . . .

All my furniture is made by hand using only basic power tools - hand tools such as planes, chisels and scrapers are used daily in my studio. I use
time-tested traditional joinery in my work whenever possible. My finishes are all hand-rubbed to produce a silky feel to the touch and are selected to best
accent the naturally occurring figure in the wood. I do not use stains or dyes to change the color of wood; if I'm going for a specific blend of color, tone,
and figure I search for woods that naturally have the characteristics I desire. I do all the work myself, with the occasional assistance of my nephew - when
I can convince him to come in town.

Although mostly self-taught, I have recently spent a few weeks in training with some of the finest furniture artisans in North America. I have only recently
started to exhibit at juried studio furniture and arts and craft shows, and I was recently honored as the Best New Artist - Wood Media at my very first
show, the nationally juried 2003 Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show.

I look forward to creating furniture that is treasured by my clients and enjoy the collaborative aspects of designing a piece of furniture that creates a
unique and comfortable living space a client loves. I hope you like what you see.

Brian Bortz - Furnituremaker