top of page
ABOUT ALEXANDER BROTHERS
We're the Alexander Brothers and this is our story.
We grew up in a home that fostered a love for the handmade. So much so, dad insisted that craftsmen training came first in our lives. With a heritage of accomplished inventors and tradesmen, who could blame him?
Our parents took us along on frequent visits to antique stores, galleries, and other places that sold fine furnishings. Mom always reminded us at the door, “Look with your eyes, not with your hands.” For us boys, that wasn’t always easy. Learning traditional methods of artistry—blacksmithing, woodworking, and leather crafting—was never a chore for us. As teens, we didn’t just apprentice with master craftsmen, we built our own forge and workshops in the backyard. Today, we thrive on creating beauty in our lives, and the lives of others. By transforming natural, raw materials into quality home and lifestyle goods, we write stories to tell for generations to come. If you love the smell of leather, the warmth of real wood, and the heft of metal, let us help write your story, too.
When you meet Drew the first thing you notice is his million-dollar smile and his blackened, calloused hands from almost 20 years of blacksmithing. The oldest of the Alexanders, he’s also the peacemaker who’s always looking for and finding the good in people. If there’s not much resembling brotherly love going on around him, Drew keeps everyone on the same team. When not working his day job, you’ll find him either hammering metal, wrangling his three girls, or both at the same time.
Whether you want to raise a barn or lead an arctic expedition, Shea's the guy to organize your team. Always hustling to get things done, he has an innate ability to draw the beauty out of natural elements to present them to the world. Shea draws strength from his surroundings, so his outings frequently lead him into the woods to watch the wildlife, hunt for burls, or soak in the peaceful sounds of nature.
Josiah Alexander - Leather Work
Josiah is the guy you’ve known your whole life, even if you just met. He’s an old soul in a young body whose closest friend is old enough to be his grandfather. Josiah’s an ever-calming presence in the midst of a storm who’s long to listen, slow to speak, and quick to comfort. He's always ready to lend a helping hand to family, friends, and community.
Karen Robertson - Blacksmith
Karen’s passion for metal art began when she studied metal sculpture at San Francisco State University. She learned about traditional blacksmithing after college, and ran her own professional blacksmithing business in the 1990’s, focusing on interior work such as hardware, latches, and fireplace doors. In recent years, she has pursued other art forms including drawing and painting, along with administrative roles in art non-profit organizations. Karen draws inspiration from the longevity of the smithing tradition: “I could have a tool made 200 years ago and it still works…there is a part of me that really connects with things that last.” She lives in Harrisonburg, VA where she enjoys spending time outdoors riding horses, with her dogs, or mountain biking. Alexander Brothers is glad to have Karen’s blacksmithing skill on our artisan team. Learn more about Karen Robertson.
Landon Heavener - Woodworker
Landon discovered woodworking when he and his wife bought their first home and found nothing fit into their small and unique space. After buying a used saw, he began building furniture. Landon graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, majoring in English Education, and worked in public education and children’s programming for several years. Most recently he does woodworking full-time, for his own custom furniture business Landon Heavener Designs, and with Alexander Brothers, where he specializes in hand cut joinery. Landon looks for balance and beauty in design inspiration and is excited to see delicate and flowing features return to furniture design in coming years. He currently has a fine furniture mentor who works alongside him in his shop, and is grateful to be part of a craft bigger than himself: “I am now tied into a centuries old tradition and my pieces will last longer than me.” Landon lives in Harrisonburg, VA and enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs.
Tim Alexander - Woodworker
Tim came across a Drew Langsner woodworking book on a shelf at technical school in the 1980’s. Wanting a hobby, he used the book to learn spoon carving and made his first spoon out of grapefruit wood. Tim remembers cutting himself, but it wasn’t bad enough to deter his growing love of wood. He was introduced to the wood lathe by his father, who picked up the skill from his father. Woodworking is truly a generational legacy in the Alexander Family, as Tim then passed this love down to his sons, the Alexander Brothers.
Tim is recently “semi-retired” and the newest addition to the Alexander Brother’s team. He finds craftsmanship therapeutic and has an enduring love for wood grain. His creative passion is for carving bowls and spoons. Tim and his wife Carol live in New Market, VA, where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and supporting their children’s many endeavors.
bottom of page