A Specialist in Wooden Objects and Decorative Surfaces

Remko Streep looking into the old hidden floor of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam

Conserving and Preserving Wooden Heritage in Brisbane

  • As a specialist in wooden objects and decorative surfaces, Crafted Conservation offers tailored treatment options on a variety of objects, including sculpture, artworks, furniture, functional pieces, architectural elements, frames, lacquerwork, and other decorative arts. Combining traditional craft knowledge with contemporary conservation science, we provide a balanced approach to the pieces that matter to you.

    We can provide a range of services from traditional craft techniques including fine joinery, carving, structural repair, loss replacement, finishing, gilding, marquetry, and french polishing to modern conservation and museum services including documentation, materials analysis assistance, reversible and retreat-able interventions, mould assessment and remediation, degraded timber consolidation, and stillage making. Whatever you need, we are eager to help you look after your collection.

  • Have a collection or an object that you want to know more about how to look after appropriately? We are keen to review your situation and give guidance as is appropriate.

    We can do local assessments of storage conditions, give advice on pest and climate control, or provide assessment documentation for your pieces.

    We also love to give tips on how to maintain and care for your pieces, or train staff or volunteers in how to look after a collection.

  • Shane got his start repairing furniture for the community, and it’s still a deeply important part of his practice. We have allocated a certain number of hours every month to helping to simply fix what needs fixing.

    If you are a community organisation or a concession card holder and you just need something fixed, please get in touch and ask about our community repair service!

  • Here at our studio we have a dedicated classroom and teaching space for sharing craft knowledge and skills. We run a range of workshops and invite craft specialists from all over to come here to share their knowledge.

    We also host Australia’s first ‘Wood for Conservators’ professional development course.

Get in touch!
Testing the marquetry shape. Photo by Philip Burrows

Shane Orion Wiechnik

I am a wooden object and decorative surfaces specialist. I trained in the conservation of furniture and related objects at West Dean College in the UK, and have worked on conservation and restoration projects around the world.

I have been a Specialised Skills Institute - George Alexander Fellow working, training, and studying across Europe and The United States. I’ve attended the ICCROM International Course in Wood Conservation Technology in Norway, taken a month long intensive course in Traditional Japanese Carpentry at Suikoushya International Craft School in Kyoto, attended the highly selective Modular Cleaning Program course here in Brisbane, and partaken in numerous other training opportunities locally and abroad.

I am a regular teacher of woodworking, finishing, and repair, and am passionate about preserving objects at all levels. I have taught with environmental charities, social enterprises, and fine furniture schools. As a teacher and writer I care deeply about sharing knowledge and keeping an interest in these crafts and crafted objects alive.

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A person working on a woodworking project, using a coping saw to cut a marquetry pattern.
Close-up of a decorative wooden table with intricate floral inlay design in a workshop setting, with woodworking tools and shoes in the background.
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A digital microstop monitor displaying a cross section of lacquer on a box. The monitor has a black border and stands on a flexible arm on an orange work surface with various tools and wires nearby.
Close-up of an uneven, textured east asian lacquer surface decorated in fine gold patterning.
Close-up of bent bamboo sticks pressing perspex blocks against an uneven lacquered surface.
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Decorative wooden plaque with intricate inlay design, featuring floral and abstract patterns, placed on a flat surface.
A person is holding a decorative, wood piece with floral patterns cut from turtle shell and abalone in front of a workbench in a woodworking or craft shop. The workbench has various tools and supplies in the background.
Close-up of a woodworking project showing detailed carved wooden designs, with a person's feet visible standing on a textured beige mat. The person is wearing black jacket and black shoes, standing near a polished wooden surface.
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A person with brown hair and glasses is reaching forward on a wooden surface to french polish it, with part of their body visible from an overhead angle. The background shows a wooden paneled wall.
Close-up of a polished wooden round table with a decorative edge, reflecting light, with background showing blurred furniture and concrete floor.
Close-up of a wooden table with intricate inlays and a polished surface, with a background of stacked wood and furniture in a workshop.
Close-up of a polished curved rosewood piano componant with blurred background.
A close-up of a freshly gilt frame moulding on a newspaper, with additional tip and other gilding tools in the background.
Hand holding a butter knife and spreading butter from a plastic butter container on a golden metal surface, with a table in the background.
Close-up of an ornate, gold-painted decorative object with intricate scrollwork and floral details, showing signs of aging and chipping paint, with white curled material scattered on its surface.
A decorative black wrought-iron fence with gold accents, set against a backdrop of green trees and a bright blue sky.
A decorative ornate black and gold pattern on a red background with intricate floral and scroll designs.
Intricate ornate pattern featuring gold and deep red colors, with floral and scroll designs.
Close-up of a vintage scroll saw cutting a wooden piece with cutout patterns.
A close-up of decorative fret work vent with a timber patch cut to match the pattern.
Close-up of woodworking tools, wood shavings, and a piece of wood in a woodworking shop.
A person holding a small paintbrush and painting over white line along a feaux leather surface.
Close-up of a stack of the top of an aged chinese ceremonial drum where timber fillets have been cut to fill gaps and losses.
A close-up image of a wooden panel with a carefully cut timber patch being glued and clamped to it.
A person holding the turned top of a wooden wooden finial next to a broken finial.
Close-up of a wooden chair leg with a heavily damaged wooden screw fitting, showing a background of a concrete floor and various objects.
Close-up of a repaired hand cut wooden screw, with blurred background.
A woodworking workbench with wood shavings, two hand saws, and various tools and wood pieces.

Interested in learning craft skills?
Visit Our Craft School