Shaker Fakers?

Holmes County, the heart of Amish country in Ohio.

Years ago one of my in-laws asked me if I ever built Amish furniture.

I first looked down at my fly – yup there’s some non-Amish buttons there. Then I stroked my chin – yup, the mustache section of my beard was still fully hirsute. 

And so I carefully said, “No, I build Presbyterian furniture. Sometimes Baptist or Lutheran – in a pinch.”

Now she was confused.

“What you make is all clean lines and good construction,” she said. “I thought for sure you loved Amish furniture.”

I try to be gentle in these situations.

“I think you might be confusing the Shakers with the Amish,” I said. “They are both religious sects that have a long woodworking history. Both groups strive for a simple way of life, but their furniture traditions are… different.”

“Huh,” she replied. “Well I don’t see it.”

I live in an area of th…