From Traditional Apprentice to Modern Artisan: A 40-Year Journey
Hi, and Welcome to my Store. I am Ross Tucker—owner, designer, builder, secretary, and cleaner for TuckerCraft. 40 years on, I still need no invitation to head out to my shed and create something unique for my clients.
My passion for being creative and woodworking started at an early age when I studied drawing and woodwork at school back in the 80s. Following college, I undertook an apprenticeship in cabinetmaking under the guidance of two Danish craftsmen. There, I mastered the skills required to create grandfather clocks, dining suites, and many other complex woodworking pieces.
Alongside my apprenticeship, I studied Architecture at night school. After graduating with an Advanced Trade Certificate, I ventured outside to work with local builders, gaining the practical skills required to build my own home and further expand my expertise. This combination of architectural study and hands-on building has defined my approach to every piece I create today.
Every certification in my workshop, including my Advanced Trade Certificate, was earned right here in New Zealand. This formal recognition of my training in traditional cabinetmaking and architectural build techniques grounds every piece I create today, ensuring that 'functional art' is also professionally engineered.