Vale Nancy Hiller
Words: Carol Russell
Nancy Hiller was a renowned designer, cabinetmaker, fine furniture maker, author, teacher, conservator and so much more. She was a maker of exquisitely crafted furniture and cabinetry using traditional techniques and finishes, she ran NR Hiller Designs from her home in Indiana, where she lived with her husband Mark. Nancy should have had years more time for making, writing and sharing her work with us and it is an absolutely tragic loss that she’s gone.
Her ferocious work ethic has left us with an enormous wealth of wisdom through her books and articles, many of which are published in Fine Woodworking Magazine, Popular Woodworking, Lost Art Press and dozens of other publications. Her skill as a writer was well matched by her skill as a cabinetmaker. Nancy made the most exquisitely crafted pieces from solid timber kitchen cabinetry to traditional period pieces. Her book, English Arts and Crafts Furniture showcases some of these.
I knew of Nancy and had read many of her articles over the years, I followed her on Instagram and loved her insights, not just into the practice of woodworking, but her thoughts on why we make things of quality, what motivates us and the difficulties faced when trying to build a business and make a living. She was a truth teller, her writing style honest, direct and sometimes very funny.
I was impressed by this feisty woman, not afraid to say what was on her mind, she seemed to me to be determined to be judged by the excellence of her work, not her gender. The respect from her peers was unquestionable and they were unanimous in their accolades of her as a person and a maker. The response to her passing has been extraordinary, full of gratitude for her work and admiration for the kind, generous person she was.
When Nancy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her social media posts and blogs were achingly honest. An eloquent writer, she shared her experiences of her treatment, the successes, failures and hopes for good outcomes. Snippets of her home life with her husband Mark, Joey their dog and Tony their cat were interspersed with their beautiful garden and projects she was determined to finish.
Nancy started following my Instagram account a couple of years ago and would comment on my work occasionally. When I received an email from Megan Fitzpatrick from Lost Art Press asking if I’d carve some animals to feature on the cover of Nancy Hiller’s new book, Shop Tails, The Animals Who Help Us Make Things Work, I was beyond excited and very humbled to be asked. This was to be a companion book to her highly successful previous work, Making Things Work: Tales from a Cabinetmaker’s life.
Through this we began a conversation about the book, life and illness. Nancy was wanting to get the book finished and it took a mighty effort to do so. The animals were sent off to Lost Art Press and photographed, then the little dog sent onto Nancy – she called it William, after one of her favourite dogs she features in the book. She was very complimentary and supportive towards my work, so small and simple in comparison to the magnificent, complex, finely crafted pieces she made. This all came at a time of flagging confidence for me, I will be forever grateful to her.
She interviewed me for her blog on the Lost Art Press website. She was gracious and curious and laughed heartily as if I was the most interesting person she had ever spoken to. I think she had a way of making everyone feel special.
Reading so many tributes to her this week, it’s obvious that this nurturing support of others was typical of the person Nancy was. She had many friends here in Australia and all over the world, her loss is very deeply felt. Our sincere condolences to her husband, Mark and her family and her close friends and associates.
Carol Russell lives in Tasmania and is a regular contributor to Australian Wood Review magazine.
Nancy Hiller's books are available from www.lie-nielsen.com.au