Owner and Master Craftsman

For 20 years, Brett Allen Hesser has been combining the balance and symmetry of Far Eastern furniture with the exotic materials and inlay of the Art Deco Period.

In 1986, Brett was accepted into one of the countries' leading design schools - Leeds Design Workshops - located in Easthampton, Massachusetts. For two years he was taught design and construction techniques by David Powell, the founder. Powell, himself, had apprenticed under one of the great English furniture-making families of the 20th century, the Barnsleys. David Powell and Leeds Design Workshops are featured in the June 2002 issue of Woodwork Magazine.

As the youngest graduate of the program, Brett was only 20 years old when he relocated to San Diego, California and was hired by Ron Montbleau of Montbleau & Assoc. to further his skills. Following his apprenticeship with Mr. Montbleau, Brett gained skills in building custom kitchens, hardwood floors, custom yacht interiors, and cabinetry.

With his eventual return to his love of furniture, Brett founded Hesser Handcrafted in 1993. Currently employing 10 skilled artisans in a state-of-the-art facility, Hesser Handcrafted continues to lead the way in designing and building custom furniture.

Brett's work has won numerous awards for both design and craftsmanship. His work has also been published numerous times and he frequently lectures on the subject of custom woodworking in the local community. Check out the video of him discussing his work at the Mingei International Museum - Forms in Wood and Fiber show.