Howard Lewin-Bio
BA 1961 and MA 1963 University of California at Santa Barbara
International Voluntary Services, Inc. 1963-65 Laos. For the first year I lived and worked in the village of Borikane. on the Nam Sane river about 35 kms. north of the provincial capitol Paksane on the Mekong River. Here I learned to speak, read and write the Lao language. We helped the villagers build dug water wells, water seal privies, a school and a dispensary.
United States Agency For International Development, Department of State 1965-75 Civil Engineer Public Works Division/Laos
Upon my return home after 12 years working in the country of Laos, I decided to open a cabinet shop. 1975
The company logo was originally conceived for and used as bookends. That is back to back. Placing them front to front created the logo. It was kind of an accident, that they were placed front to front. I was removing some books that they had supported and placed them on the floor, happily front to front. I liked that look and used it to create my company logo.
Our family started with the birth of Katherine Gabrielle (Gaby) August 1975, then Timothy Kipp, January 1977 and Penelope Meg in March 1980.
Established Custom Wood Design later part of
l975.
Design, create and build custom cabinetry and furniture.
Established a reputation for completing work on time, and doing it well.
Employed 6 cabinet maker / apprentices by l980. Several have established their
own businesses, and appear to be quite successful.
Gradually shifted business emphasis to higher quality furniture and cabinetry
Began creating art work.
Started getting serious about wood turning.1982
Began teaching at the Cutting Edge, a woodworking
store in Culver City, Ca. 1982
Classes in wood turning
Power tool cabinet and furniture making.
Router techniques.
Table saw techniques.
Started classes at my shop in wood turning, cabinet
making, table saw techniques, steam bending, bent wood laminating, etc.
Began designing a bowl lathe. 1983
Fully developed and began manufacture in Australia, by WoodFast Machinery
Co. Australia in 1986.
Developed Divide and Rule, a measuring device.
Developed the Lewin Tail Stock. A jam/reverse turning appliance.
Developed the Lewin Center finder.
Developed the Lewin Outboard turning platform.
Helped in the development of a new Hi-Tech system of turning gouges manufactured
by Gerry Glaser.
Established myself as a nationally known wood
turner. @1985
Cosponsored the Southern California Woodworking Conference. A four day symposium
of invited woodworkers known for their skill, inovations, and for the excellence
of their craft. 1986-1990 Among the invited demonstrators were; Gary Knox
Bennet, Brian Boggs, Kelly Mehler, Rudy Osolnik, Gerry Glaser, Art Carpenter,
Richard Raffan, Bob Stocksdale, Clead Christiansen, Max Krimmel, Sam Maloof,
Micheal Dunbar, Todd Hoyer, David Sloan, and many many others.
I Was a demonstrator for the Wood turning symposium at BYU, Berea Art festival,
in Berea Ky. For the Phoenix, Az Wood Turners, the SanDiego, Wood Turners,
Sacramento Wood Turners, Orange County Wood Turners, and many many more.
My work has been selected by several galleries
across the country.
Several noted collectors have my work. At last count, my work is in 8 art museums across the country.
My work was selected by several juried craft shows, so I hit the road. The
craftshow circuit is a tough way to make a living.
Began manufacture of the Lewin Router Compass, Straight Edge, Router Compass
Extender, and Pencil Layout compass. 1990. Presently in 6 national catalogs. I sold this business in 2010.
Began teaching Woodworking, wood turning, cabinet and furniture making at TriCommunityAdult Education in 1990 http://www.customwooddesign.com/tri-community-1.html in West Covina, Ca. We are doing some amazing things. Many of my students are women, who are just beginning to discover the joys of working with wood. l990-2008 Retired.
Wrote,”Technicolor Turnings,” for American Woodworker, June, l992.
Wrote, ”Creating On Speculation,” for Woodwork, June, l995.
Have applied for a patent on the Lewin Drill Press Clamp. I expect issuance of this patent, within the next week or so. Issued. I am no longer a patent pending. 1999 Woodcraft Supply is manufacturing and marketing it.Woodcraft no longer makes or sells it. I do.
I went on line, built a web site, and have now established my domain at www.customwooddesign.com. About 1998
Taught a course on Materials and Methods at Otis
College of Art and Design. Spring 1998.
Published, A Woodworkers Glossary,
Howard Lewin, 1998.
Made a mold of “Devil Colt,” a hand carved horse in Mahogany, casting
him with Hydra-Cal and now resin.1998. Have made additional molds, Man and
Woman, Platters, and Large Vases.No longer available.
1999 will be giving a series of lecture/demos at the Southern California Institure of Architecture. Affectionately called SCI-ARC.
Completed a course of study at California State
University at Long Beach and was awarded my teaching credential. 1999