Blog
Designers Block
Many times when I begin to design a project, I start out with a pre-conceived image in my head of what I should end up with. Before I ever put pencil to paper to create an initial sketch, I have already locked myself in to a particular look or style. Sometimes this is not a problem because the idea in my head is easily translated to paper and is a very nice design. (more…)
Homage
When I first began woodworking, back in the late 1990′s, Norm Abram’s “The New Yankee Workshop” was by far the most popular woodworking show on television. Once I discovered the show, I couldn’t get enough of it. Here was this regular joe, (ok, regular Norm) making such beautiful projects that almost anyone would want in their home. And Norm made it look sooo easy! Of course, nothing is as easy as it looks on television. But that didn’t matter because I had been bitten by the “I can build that….” bug. (more…)
Unfinished Projects
I finally found a couple of hours this weekend to cleanup my garage/workshop. It had been slowly becoming a disorganized mess over the last few months. I haven’t had enough time to start a real project, so most of the work done in the shop had been quick little fix-it or modify-it type of work. (more…)
Bent Lamination Fishing Net
This is a fishing net I made several years ago. I made it from plans out of the June 2001 issue of Wood Magazine.
The frame for this net made out of laminated Walnut and White Ash. The inlaid fish is also made out of Walnut. The plan called for 3/32″ thick strips, but mine were closer to 1/8″.
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Woodworking and Art
Sometimes woodworking and art become one. Sometimes they are two very separate things. Woodworking, I think, is always a skill or craft. But how often does it actually become art? Where is the line that a wood project crosses in order for it to become art? (more…)
Workshop Design #4
Front View (Click for larger view)
Here is a quick update of where I am on the workshop design. If you remember from my first article, the footings and frost wall already exist so I cannot modify anything with them, but every thing else is fair game.
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Mary Kay Give Away Display
Mary Kay Give Away Display
A couple of years ago, I had a client who sold Mary Kay cosmetics. She wanted me to build her a display that she could place near the cash registers at local businesses. People could fill out an entry form and place it inside the display in order to win prizes.
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Workshop Design #3
Now that I have my wish list for the general construction of the workshop, it is time to focus on the interior of the shop and make a list of its features that I would like to include. This list will focus on things like; whether to have drywall or wood walls, flooring, cabinetry, pegboard or upper cabinets, lumber storage etc. This list is also a work in progress and will probably be updated as time goes on.
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Marquetry Mirror
Marquetry Mirror
This hand held mirror was one of my first attempts at marquetry. I saw the plan in the June 2000 issue of Wood Magazine and immediately decided I wanted to try my hand at it. It was challenging to say the least. I made 2 or three attempts at the marquetry before I had results that I was satisfied with.
The outer part of the frame is made of black Walnut, and the back panel is made of Curly Maple. The rose petals are made of Purple Heart, while the stem is made of Cherry. These are all woods that I had worked with before, and they compliment each other beautifully. (more…)
Workshop Design #2
Before I get into the nitty gritty of the workshop design, I need to pause and make list of what features I really want my workshop to have. This will start out as a “wish list”, but I am sure I will have to pare it down later on due to cost. I figure that if I design it the way I would really want it, I can always add some of the items later on down the road if I can’t afford them right away.
The first thing I want to consider is the overall style of the building. I live out in the country surrounded by farms and fields. I have always liked the look of old center aisle horse barns and that is what I would like my shop to resemble. Plus, the design gives me the opportunity to have a small second floor where I can have either an office or extra storage. The horse barn look is both aesthetically pleasing to its surroundings and very practical for use as a workshop. (more…)
