This week's featured artist is a member and past vice president of the Long Island Craft Guild and the commander of the Ancient and Honorable Huntington Militia, a living history organization which recreates life on Long Island at the time of the American Revolution. Let's meet Robert!
Name: Robert Ambrose, 55
Hometown: North Merrick
Occupation: Craftsman
Craft: Wood-turned tools and jewelry
Web sites: www.qbranchltd.etsy.com and www.popgoestheneedle.com
This crafter was featured in Newsday's handmade holiday guide
How did you get into your craft?
I work in a variety of crafts and media. When I find something that stimulates my interest and creative energy, I learn the techniques and required skills and begin working. Before I was able to build a woodshop in my home, I concentrated in crafts that required limited space and equipment. For many years I worked at leathercraft. I am an award-winning paper cutter -- creating silhouettes and Sherenschnitten pictures. I also design and sell punchneedle embroidery patterns and work in other fiber art.
I always had an interest in woodwork and woodturning in particular. When I was able to turn my garage into a workshop, I began turning wood and doing woodwork. The lathe (a machine for use in working wood) was the first thing purchased for the new workshop. All of my crafts and skills are self-taught.
What's your best craft tip?
The best craft tip that I can give is to do what you love and what interests you and as you work make it your own. Just because the instructions say to do one thing, be creative and do it as you think it should be done.
Where do you find inspiration?
A lot of my inspiration comes from history and the past. I am also an 18th Century reenactor/living historian. I look to the past to inspire creation. My lucets are authentic reproductions of a tool used for thousands of years to create decorative and utilitarian lacing and cord. I am also inspired by the wood or materials that I am working on and allow the wood to guide me in bringing out to the world what already exists within. 
What craft would you like to try next?
I have been thinking about working warm glass, glass beads, etc., but this is not for the near future. I have always had a fascination with blacksmithing, but that too is for the distant future.
What are your favorite local craft stores?
Supplies and equipment on Long Island for a serious craft artist is a problem, especially for woodworkers. If I need a specialized tool, woodworking machine, or hardware, I am not going to find it locally. All of the stores that once sold such things have closed.
When I was working primarily in leather, I was able to purchase leather locally in a leathercraft store in Huntington and when that closed, from a leather warehouse retail outlet of a company in Queens and Brooklyn. That company, too, closed its retail outlets. One of the reasons that I do not work in leather as much as I once had is that for leather hides I must go out of state.
I must go to Pennsylvania or Connecticut to find a woodworking store for the serious craftsman. My wife, an award-winning doll maker and embroiderer, has experienced the same problem. When we travel, one of the first things we look for in a new area is where the craft, woodworking, and needlework stores are located.
The local craft stores are nice for the weekend hobbyist, but do not meet the needs of a serious craftsperson.
What's your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge that we face -- after trying to find supplies and equipment -- is the overwhelming number of commercial, non-handmade items sold at most of the craft shows run on Long Island. 
These items are either presented as made by the seller or are blatantly displayed with or next to their commercial packaging with the words "Made In China" clearly visible. The groups running the shows state that this is not permitted, but there is nothing done when these items are presented for sale.
I believe this hurts the person who is putting their heart, soul, and efforts into creating the things that they are selling. Sadly, customers either can't tell the difference or do not care where the items at the craft shows come from. It is difficult to sell something that is handmade and must bring a reasonable price that will compensate for the materials, time, and talent with items sold in the booth next door that came from an import wholesaler.
Do you have any advice for beginners?
If you make a mistake on something that you are working on, look at what you are left with and change your design to make the best use of the error. Some great pieces have been the result of a chipped corner or a slight break.
Why do you love your particular craft?
When I get into the flow of what I am working on, time just seems to fly. I love seeing the final result and I especially love when others appreciate my work. When I have a piece on exhibition, I like to stand by quietly with no one realizing that I am the artist. I'll just watch and listen. It is great to hear them say how much they like it, especially when I know that they are not just saying it to me to be polite.
For more information on Robert Ambrose's work, please visit his Web sites: www.qbranchltd.etsy.comand www.popgoestheneedle.com. In addition to designing punchneedle patterns, Robert teaches punchneedle to groups.
