"Learning how to make something, whether it’s an industrial fastener or a fine piece of furniture, requires a huge amount of intellect, self-control, and dedication," says Hildebrand, co-founder of both Tektonics and Fern & Roby. "I have found that my experiences working as a craftsman has been the single biggest influence in my life as a designer." Photo 2 of 5 in Made in America: An Inside Look at a Virginia Furniture Workshop by Heather Corcoran

Made in America: An Inside Look at a Virginia Furniture Workshop

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"Learning how to make something, whether it’s an industrial fastener or a fine piece of furniture, requires a huge amount of intellect, self-control, and dedication," says Hildebrand, co-founder of both Tektonics and Fern & Roby. "I have found that my experiences working as a craftsman has been the single biggest influence in my life as a designer."