Dave Sawyer, a graduate of the renowned MIT in mechanical engineering, quickly discovered that his true calling was not behind a desk, but in the warmth of wood and the poetry of craftsmanship. In 1982, the year his son George was born, Dave built his first Windsor chair — a moment that marked the beginning of a lifelong passion. The technical precision, the variety of forms, and the silent dialogue between hand and material drew him in completely. Over the next three decades, he refined his designs to their purest essence, creating chairs of remarkable grace and lasting quality.
From his workshop nestled in the heart of Vermont, Dave passed on his knowledge to hundreds of students, sharing his techniques, patterns, and secrets with unmatched generosity. His humility and dry wit made him a beloved teacher and mentor. His work, both soulful and masterfully crafted, now lives in homes across the country and even in the halls of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts — quiet witnesses to the beauty of traditional craftsmanship.
George Sawyer grew up among the soft swirl of wood shavings, breathing in the scent of freshly carved maple and ash. After studying Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design and exploring careers in product design, architecture, and steam engine building, he found his way back to where it all began. In 2012, he formally launched Sawyer Made, having trained at his father’s side, determined to carry the legacy into the future.
Blending ancient green woodworking techniques with a contemporary design sensibility, George reimagines what fine joinery and handcraft can mean today. His pieces are quietly powerful — each a testament to time, care, and vision. Exhibited in select galleries and museums across the U.S., from San Francisco to New York and throughout Vermont, his work invites us to reconnect with the authenticity of the handmade, where every curve tells a story and every joint holds memory.
