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THE ARTISAN CHRONICLES
What goes on in the mind of an artisan? How does he work? How does she run the business? Read on. It's pretty interesting.
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The Crack of Light: A Sacred Reminder We Were Made for More
All the earth was a window once. That thought’s been following me—haunting me, even. Before the walls, before the shelter, before the...
Steve Quillian
May 4, 20253 min read
When Preservation Becomes Decay
How the systems meant to save our historic homes may be silently letting them rot. In the world of historic preservation, good intentions...
Steve Quillian
May 3, 20252 min read
The Artisan’s Mural: A Call to Build What Time Tried to Take Back
A reflection on calling, sacrifice, and why sacred work still matters On the side of our building, there’s a mural. At first glance, it...
Steve Quillian
Apr 30, 20252 min read
Eye Contact With God
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Peter’s denial of Jesus —
not just the words or the act itself, but a small, piercing detail:
Steve Quillian
Apr 27, 20254 min read
Welcome to Deeper Waters
Not everything in life — or craftsmanship — can be measured with a ruler or captured with a chisel. Some things run deeper. Here at...
Steve Quillian
Apr 27, 20251 min read
Running Through the Forest
When I was in my early twenties, I started a music group. I called it Charismatic Pain.
It sounded crazy to most people.
Steve Quillian
Apr 25, 20252 min read
The Five Pillars of Window Craft: A New Standard for Historic Window Restoration
When it comes to saving historic windows, most people focus on quick fixes: patching rot, slapping on paint, or swapping in replacements
Steve Quillian
Apr 25, 20253 min read
The Artisan Within
Surely every Artisan is a worker, but not every worker is an Artisan. Every Artisan indeed is a worker, but what kind of worker?
Steve Quillian
Dec 22, 20224 min read
A Unicorn for Christmas?
What do you want for Christmas? Maybe it's a black swan on the back of a unicorn. I'm going to be glad to spend a few weeks at home with...
Steve Quillian
Dec 19, 20225 min read
So You Want To Go Into The Window Business...
The business is so simple, yet so complex. Any complexities with the windows have all been removed, making the windows so simple to work...
Steve Quillian
Jul 2, 20225 min read
Wood Window Tuning Begins at the Mechanical Makeover
Window restoration functions best as a team effort. After the initial set up, what I call the Mechanical Makeover, the work naturally...
Steve Quillian
Jun 16, 20225 min read
The Carpenter/Painter Conundrum
Having been thinking for years about what kind of person I need to hire to help with the work at Wood Window Makeover, I am starting to...
Steve Quillian
Jun 2, 202211 min read
Innate Perpetuality
Do you ever watch the TV show Survivor where they throw a bunch of people into a wilderness to compete in various challenges? Yet before...
Steve Quillian
Apr 2, 20225 min read
Great Opportunities Disguised as Impossible Situations
(Entire unedited and candid discussion between Steve and Lynda about the state of the business and why she’s leaving Wood Window...
Steve Quillian
Nov 21, 20213 min read
An Unorthodox Faith and a Business Crippled By Imposter Syndrome
Ownership. What does it really mean to own a business? What does it really mean to own anything for that matter? Yes I started it. Yes,...
Steve Quillian
Nov 8, 20213 min read
Today’s Goal
Fit and tune the sashes so they they can be stripped down, reglazed and painted - but in the middle of that there’s a lot. Deconstructing...
Steve Quillian
Sep 29, 20212 min read
Reuse / Recycle / Re-life
Prices of lumber are at an all time high. There's been much speculation as to why, but ultimately (as is so often the case) it's the...
Lynda
May 20, 20213 min read
Centro Espanol Radiused Transoms Being Restored
Some work you have to ease into. These radiused transoms from the Centro Espanol building in West Tampa exemplify that statement. Like...
Steve Quillian
Apr 8, 20211 min read
We don't do doors... except when we do ;)
Our work on West Tampa's Centro Espanol building continues this week. We've moved onto the second floor - and these amazing door units,...
Lynda
Mar 24, 20211 min read
Museum workshops get underway
It was a perfect day in Tampa last Friday for our SOLD OUT First Friday Workshop. We had the best bunch of folks - who came from as far...
Lynda
Mar 11, 20212 min read
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