THE LIVING TOOLS
Collections
The Living Tools supports the diversification of our craft. We believe that the shared love of handwork is a unifier and that people can find connection through a desire to live a life in craft. The Living Tools fosters a community that welcomes and respects everyone while not discriminating based on our differences in age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, philosophical or political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, and socioeconomic status. We work to provide an environment that centers the needs of historically excluded crafts people and encourage all interested applicants to apply.
UPCOMING COLLECTIONS
NANCY HILLER: HAND TOOLS COLLECTION
A small collection of essential hand tools donated by life-long a sculptor and woodworker. This collection is small but mighty and undoubtedly contains some magic.
PAST COLLECTIONS
An entire chairmaking shop complete with hand tools, patterns, jigs, and parts. The Paoli Collection’s generous donor had a lifelong interest in Windsor chairs and 18th-century handmade furniture. He and his family hope to pass along his shop to a maker who also loves Windsors and could use the abundant parts to teach and further pass along his gift.
THE PAOLI COLLECTION
The Winchester Collection
A great giveaway for chairmakers and cabinetmakers alike. Teachers will appreciate the duplicate tools with quality steel, including planes and drawknives.
Jeff Lefkowitz has made chairs for over 20 years and taught for more than 10, passing on lessons from great U.S. chairmakers. This kit reflects his breadth as a maker and instructor: high-quality, well-tuned tools for those entering the craft, going deeper, or teaching others.
The Jeff Lefkowitz’s Chairmaker’s Donation
PEGGY PAGE: CARVING
COLLECTION
Lifelong craftswoman Peggy Page generously donated her detailing tool kit, with the wish that it go to a woman-identifying carver. The collection includes specialty gouges, finger planes, and honing equipment Peggy used to carve incredibly lifelike duck decoys.
WADE LOWE: VIOLIN STUDIO
An incredible collection of tools curated from the shop of master luthier Wade Lowe. These tools represent 40 years of curiosity, commitment and skill. Wade’s family wants to make sure that future generations have the opportunity to pursue a life in craft and for that reason they made this incredible donation to The Living Tools project.
WILLOWBROOK: HAND TOOLS COLLECTION
This tidy collection of hand tools is a great foundational set of tools for joinery and general craft. The donor hopes to support an aspiring craftsperson in a traditionally underrepresented population.