Dale Helms Fine Furniture Monkton VT

“Things men have made with wakened hands, and put soft life into Are awake through years with transferred touch, and go on glowing For long years And for this reason, some old things are lovely Warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them.” —D.H. Lawrence In an increasingly hectic world I believe it is important to surround ourselves with artifacts imbued with peace and quietude. With that in mind the contemporary furniture that I create has a presence that is easy to live with. It reflects my concern for harmony and balance coupled with the ideals of grace and beauty. My goal is to capture a natural elegance and intimacy in my work by paying careful attention to detail. Inspiration often starts with the wood, and I choose each piece of wood for both its aesthetic appeal and practical suitability. The search far wonderful wood is never ending. Once I have a design in mind for a piece and the wood is chosen, the physical work begins. This involves rough cutting the lumber, followed by the layout, cutting, and fitting of the joinery. Hand planing, sanding and finishing complete this aspect. Simultaneously there is another process occurring; this is where I pause, reflect, and make adjustments. I stand back to watch what is taking shape to see if I feel I am on the right track. This is often where ideas for small details reveal themselves. I might change an angle by 1/2 of a degree or change a line by a 1/16th of an inch (or even less). Taking this time is an essential part of the work I do; it is what makes each piece of furniture unique. My furniture has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C., the A.C.C. Craft show in Baltimore, Md., and the Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show. It has also been shown in many different galleries and shows throughout the northeast since 1983. I am a self-taught woodworker who started making furniture in 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1982, 1 moved to New England where I began woodworking for my livelihood. My family and I now live in Monkton, Vermont, and in December 2002 I moved into a studio built on our property. Dale was a Featured Artist at Art on Main in August, 2004.