‘Making Things Work: Tales from a Cabinetmaker’s Life’

I am delighted to announce that we now offer Nancy Hiller’s hilarious, earthy – and cautionary – look at life as a custom furniture maker – “Making Things Work: Tales from a Cabinetmaker’s Life.”

If you’re thinking about chucking it all, assuming “all” means a steady job with employer-sponsored health insurance and a regular paycheck, to hang out your lovingly hand-crafted shingle as a furniture maker, you should absolutely read Nancy’s book first. She’ll make you laugh, no doubt. But she’ll also impart some excellent lessons in just how much risk a person can bear – and sometimes has to. (Spoiler: If the life is right for you, the answer is “a great deal of risk indeed”)

If you’re not thinking about chucking it all to give up the steady paycheck, you should read Nancy’s book because it’ll have you wiping away tears of laughter (while imparting some important lessons in life and craft).

And if you’re already a professional cabinetmaker or furniture maker (or both…or whatever else the client needs as is usually the case), Nancy’s book will have you wiping away tears of laughter as you nod your head in agreement.

Like Nancy’s furniture, the book is well-crafted (in concept and production). It’s hardcover with a sewn binding and dust jacket, and printed in the United States.

I have read “Making Things Work: Tales from a Cabinetmaker’s Life” six or seven times now (because I had the pleasure of copy editing it) and when I got my copy of the finished book, I opened it up for another read. It’s that good.

— Megan Fitzpatrick