Albuquerque Journal Obituary

SCHAIRER -- Ed Schairer. Fine furniture designer and Craftsman, passed away suddenly Saturday, June 6, 2009. He was born on June 27, 1947. Ed was a member of the band at Sandia High School, received best trumpet player in NM award, and graduated from UNM with a geology degree. He was a member of Christ Unity at the Edge of the Woods Church (near Sedillo, NM.) Services will be at his church on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his brother, Don Schairer and wife, Karen of Sedona AZ; his niece, Amber and nephew, Eric and their families; his son, Daniel Schairer and wife, Nicole; and grandsons, Keith and Trent; daughter, Abigail Schairer and wife, Geena; step-son, Will Hoffman and wife, Rachel, and grandsons, Arion and Tyler Hoffman; and three other step-sons and their families. Published on: Fri June 12, 2009

Woodworking as an Art and a Craft -- Ed Schairer

Introduction to an Artist and Craftsman:
Ed Schairer
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Ed Schairer began his woodworking career after he left a big corporatation where he was a geologist. A lifelong love of rocks and his degree in geology were not outlet enough for his creativity. His best talents were not being expressed in his work--at that time driving around in the desert hills looking for uranium deposits. When the company requested he shave off his beard, the "hippie" in him said, "No, I like having a beard." At that time his beard was rusty colored. He now occasionally wears a white beard and mustache after 35 or more years in his true calling--woodwork.
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Ed started in the arts and crafts field by making small items in his garage and signing up for craft shows all over the Southwest. Some of his early pieces were string lamps that were not made of wood. His most popular pieces in the 1970's were the wall hangings such as mirrors and plant stands (sometimes both combined) and hand-held mirrors of exotic woods. It is gratifying to Ed now to be called by a new client and see one of his plant stand/mirrors hanging on the wall and people that remember him from his craft show days. His early craft name was The Woodshire.
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When Ed missed the birth of his daughter while away at a craft show (he did help with the Lamaze over the phone) he decided to give up the traveling craft show market and start designing more practical forms of art--tables, shelves, & cabinets of all kinds. His love of wood, coupled with Ed's creative and natural artistic abilities has led him to a long career in designing fine furnishings and custom cabinets out of wood. He can also fashion counter tops and other items out of solid-surface materials and formica.
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Even though he has taken classes to further perfect his skills in such things as staining and finishing wood surfaces, he remains self-taught. He found over the years that he could set his mind to learning by doing and has built a significant reputation in the woodworking world.
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Ed lives in the East Mountains near Albuquerque NM in a house he built nearly single-handedly. He plans to make this blog an educational source about the finer details of woodworking and the history of cabinetmaking and furniture design.
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For further information on this fascinating artistic (as well as practical) craft, Ed will be glad to a answer your questions. E-Mail: EdSchairer@juno.com
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By mail PO Box 988 Tijeras NM 87059
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Or phone: look up Ed Schairer (prounced Shire) in the telephone directory or dexonline.
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Thanks to all those interested in fine furniture, woodworking, and the old-world traditional crafts.