I have just been invited to do a little woodworking demonstration for a group of kids at the local YMCA here in Nashville. I’m psyched, but I’m also nervous. The kids will range in age from 6 to 12. There will be 10 or so kids present. I’ll have about 30 to 45 minutes with them. Yikes! What can I show them? How can I avoid boring them to tears?
I’m thinking through several ideas with the current favorite being showing the kids how I cut dovetails. Then I would give them a couple of small pieces of wood with dovetails already cut in them to take home. Another idea I have is to show them some simple planing. I would love to be able to let each kid have a try at planing, but I’m not sure if the Y would be very happy about that.
Anyway, I’m still thinking through my options and I’d love to hear from anyone who’s had a chance to demonstrate woodworking to kids. I’m taking this very seriously (too seriously?), because I want what might be these kids’ first exposure to woodworking to be at least positive and at most something that might spark an interest in doing it themselves someday. I’ll write again about what I decide to do and how it goes over.
Furniture I Love: Pablo Pineda Willis Edition
Canadian furniture maker Pablo Pineda Willis is serious about sustainability. He makes a point of using responsibly-harvested wood and also uses non-toxic glues and finishes. But beyond that, his work is an example of how good practices can influence and even improve one’s designs.
His clean and light Caitlina chair, for example, reminds me of Gio Ponti’s Superleggera chair, one of the classics of modern design. I’ve never had the pleasure to try out the Caitlina chair, but I can imagine it has a very comfortable flex to it.
I also love the Reveal cabinet and the beautiful tray, called Self, out of walnut and fir.
Be sure to read his passionate statement about sustainability. See more of his work at www.pablopinedawillis.com.
His clean and light Caitlina chair, for example, reminds me of Gio Ponti’s Superleggera chair, one of the classics of modern design. I’ve never had the pleasure to try out the Caitlina chair, but I can imagine it has a very comfortable flex to it.
I also love the Reveal cabinet and the beautiful tray, called Self, out of walnut and fir.
Be sure to read his passionate statement about sustainability. See more of his work at www.pablopinedawillis.com.
Furniture I Love: Trevor O'Neal Edition
In my own work, I want to start experimenting with material other than wood. There's no better inspiration than Trevor O’Neil. Have a look at his “Urbanati DJ Concole.” This piece incorporates recycled cork, a recycled pine beam and plywood. I’m really amazed at the imagination at play here.
I also love this amazing divan out of recycled cork and birch.
It’s one thing to make outlandish things (O’Neil calls them “Curious Builds”), but it’s another thing to have the traditional skills to back it up. Check out this dining table and set of chairs to see the kinds of mad skills O’Neil has.
I applaud him for pushing the design envelope.
Enjoy his work at www.trevoroneal.com.
Thanks to the folks at Design Boner for the referral.
I also love this amazing divan out of recycled cork and birch.
It’s one thing to make outlandish things (O’Neil calls them “Curious Builds”), but it’s another thing to have the traditional skills to back it up. Check out this dining table and set of chairs to see the kinds of mad skills O’Neil has.
I applaud him for pushing the design envelope.
Enjoy his work at www.trevoroneal.com.
Thanks to the folks at Design Boner for the referral.
Furniture I Love: John Reed Fox Edition
This is another case where there were so many great examples of work by John Reed Fox, I had difficulty choosing which ones to feature. His Donna Cabinet, below, is so well balanced -- with the legs lifting up the mass of the carcass, with the light cedar design in contrast to the rich cherry – it looks like this wood was destined to be this piece of furniture.
I love how the book-matched figure makes this table appear to be on fire!
Here are a couple more stunning examples of beautiful design and exquisite craftsmanship:
Check out more of Fox’s work at www.johnreedfox.com.
I love how the book-matched figure makes this table appear to be on fire!
Here are a couple more stunning examples of beautiful design and exquisite craftsmanship:
Check out more of Fox’s work at www.johnreedfox.com.
Furniture I Love: Christoph Engle Edition
One great trick that some furniture makers do well is combining different woods, especially unusual woods, to create interest in a piece of furniture. When I saw Christoph Engle’s “Cabinet Time Forgot,” I was struck by how well the different woods complimented each other. There is not a huge contrast, which is something lots of furniture makers go for, but instead there’s a subtle gradation in the tones. I also love that there is space between the slates in the book-matched front doors.
Another of Engle’s designs that I love is his cherry display cabinet. I definitely see the influence of Engle’s time at the College of the Redwoods under James Krenov at play in this piece. I love what he has done with this design inside and out. The interior details are exquisite.
Enjoy more of Christoph Engle’s work at www.cengledesign.com.
All photos by Christoph Engle.
Another of Engle’s designs that I love is his cherry display cabinet. I definitely see the influence of Engle’s time at the College of the Redwoods under James Krenov at play in this piece. I love what he has done with this design inside and out. The interior details are exquisite.
Enjoy more of Christoph Engle’s work at www.cengledesign.com.
All photos by Christoph Engle.
Furniture makers, meet furniture buyers. Furniture buyers, meet furniture makers.
One of my main goals for Furnitude is to make it a bridge between the furniture making world and the furniture buying world. One of the best ways to introduce them to each other is let them know ways to find each other.
For designers, here are some resources for finding furniture makers. National organizations and local guilds often have directories in which you can find tons of furniture makers. Another way I find out about them is the participant lists of the various woodworking fairs and shows. This is by no means comprehensive – just a few places where you can find lots of information.
Furniture Society -- Members Information – an international membership organization that includes professionals and novices alike.
San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association -- Craftsman List – I’m not sure why, but San Diego has an incredibly vibrant woodworking community.
International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) -- Exhibitor List – the show the design world seems to take very seriously.
Handmade in America -- Craft Registry – an organization that focuses on North Carolina’s craftspeople who happen to be some of the best craftspeople anywhere.
Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers -- Member List -- small organization, lots of talent.
New Hampshire Furniture Masters Assocation -- Masters List -- select group of off-the-charts craftspeople.
Cumberland Furniture Guild -- Directory -- my own furniture guild here in Nashville, TN.
That should keep you clicking for a while!
For furniture makers, here are some popular design blogs. These can be inspiring but can also connect you to interior designers and fans of interior design. And talk about traffic, if you get your stuff posted on one of them, you'll get hundreds of people looking at your website.
Design*sponge -- one of the best and most popular design blogs out there, design*sponge covers furniture, accessories, textiles and more.
Design-Milk -- covers home decor and has a decidely modern slant.
Cribcandy -- a totally addictive site that features dozens of new items daily and ranges from the very cool to the very out-there.
Shelterrific -- covers home decorating and design but also home life in general.
Decor8 -- very well-written site on home design with a modern style.
Blue Ant Studio -- covers minimalist modern design.
Check out their blog rolls to find even more design blogs.
For designers, here are some resources for finding furniture makers. National organizations and local guilds often have directories in which you can find tons of furniture makers. Another way I find out about them is the participant lists of the various woodworking fairs and shows. This is by no means comprehensive – just a few places where you can find lots of information.
Furniture Society -- Members Information – an international membership organization that includes professionals and novices alike.
San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association -- Craftsman List – I’m not sure why, but San Diego has an incredibly vibrant woodworking community.
International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) -- Exhibitor List – the show the design world seems to take very seriously.
Handmade in America -- Craft Registry – an organization that focuses on North Carolina’s craftspeople who happen to be some of the best craftspeople anywhere.
Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers -- Member List -- small organization, lots of talent.
New Hampshire Furniture Masters Assocation -- Masters List -- select group of off-the-charts craftspeople.
Cumberland Furniture Guild -- Directory -- my own furniture guild here in Nashville, TN.
That should keep you clicking for a while!
For furniture makers, here are some popular design blogs. These can be inspiring but can also connect you to interior designers and fans of interior design. And talk about traffic, if you get your stuff posted on one of them, you'll get hundreds of people looking at your website.
Design*sponge -- one of the best and most popular design blogs out there, design*sponge covers furniture, accessories, textiles and more.
Design-Milk -- covers home decor and has a decidely modern slant.
Cribcandy -- a totally addictive site that features dozens of new items daily and ranges from the very cool to the very out-there.
Shelterrific -- covers home decorating and design but also home life in general.
Decor8 -- very well-written site on home design with a modern style.
Blue Ant Studio -- covers minimalist modern design.
Check out their blog rolls to find even more design blogs.
Furniture I Love: Tyler Chartier Edition
When I saw Tyler Chartier’s toolbox on the back cover of Fine Woodworking magazine, I was completely impressed by his skill in its design and execution. It does so much in such a small amount of space and makes a perfect mix of beauty and utility.
As you can see on his website, his furniture is equally impressive. The walnut spice cabinet is like a clinic in drawer and door design. At first glance I thought this was a large buffet or sideboard. The proportions are so pleasing, it could honestly be beautiful in any size.
For an example of his work on a larger scale, check out this almost ghostly maple sideboard. I guess I’m used to sideboards in darker woods, but I love how the maple is so clean and crisp.
All photos are by Autumn Fuentes, Tyler’s wife. You can check out her website at www.throughautumnslens.com.
As you can see on his website, his furniture is equally impressive. The walnut spice cabinet is like a clinic in drawer and door design. At first glance I thought this was a large buffet or sideboard. The proportions are so pleasing, it could honestly be beautiful in any size.
For an example of his work on a larger scale, check out this almost ghostly maple sideboard. I guess I’m used to sideboards in darker woods, but I love how the maple is so clean and crisp.
All photos are by Autumn Fuentes, Tyler’s wife. You can check out her website at www.throughautumnslens.com.
Furniture I Love: Miki Iwasaki Edition
Miki Iwasaki of mi-workshop brings an architectural background to his furniture making which must be part of why he’s got such a great sense of proportion. I love the asymmetry of his Delphin Table, with its delicate base and bold top.
Iwasaki’s Ray Shelf is beautiful and useful and really lets the incredible piece of black walnut shine.
As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I love when furniture makers take scraps and turn them into beautiful objects. Iwasaki uses a lot of salvaged and reclaimed wood for his work. Check out his Spare Time Clocks as a great example of how, with a little creativity, remnants can become useful art. It really makes me think about what I’ve got sitting around in my shop that I could make into something cool.
Check out Iwasaki's excellent work at www.mi-workshop.com.
All photos by Miki Iwasaki.
Iwasaki’s Ray Shelf is beautiful and useful and really lets the incredible piece of black walnut shine.
As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I love when furniture makers take scraps and turn them into beautiful objects. Iwasaki uses a lot of salvaged and reclaimed wood for his work. Check out his Spare Time Clocks as a great example of how, with a little creativity, remnants can become useful art. It really makes me think about what I’ve got sitting around in my shop that I could make into something cool.
Check out Iwasaki's excellent work at www.mi-workshop.com.
All photos by Miki Iwasaki.
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