Back to the Arctic

Here's the Chair Notes covergirl and chicken defender soaking up the sun during our brief visit to Florida this week. We went to see my grandfather on his 94th birthday. We had a great time, warming our bones and missing a huge storm in New York.

So now I'm shoveling the path to the workshop and burning the woodstove to get the chilled building back in business. This is turning out to be a very active year with lots of students in the shop and lots of traveling. If anyone is interested, my openings for students in the shop are full until the fall, and I recommend that you contact me as early as possible to reserve dates. These things tend to come in waves.

This week should see the completion of at least four projects that I have in the works. I'm sure that I'm not alone in having multiple unfinished pieces kicking around, but I'm committed to clearing the deck this week. And with a little sun on my face, I think I might just get there.

Trimming the Perch

Here is the final video in the Perch series. Thanks for your patience and keep sending me the photos of the perches you've made!

Last week, I had a great time working with Elia Bizzarri. He is a talented chairmaker and we had a fine time comparing notes. I am looking forward to the class that we are teaching at Arrowmont in March. There are a few spots open for the class (including potential scholarship positions) so check it out or spread the word.

The perch is a bit awkward to hold steady at this point in the process. Usually I use a combination of wrestling holds and clamps. To get clear shots of the cutting, I had to use less steadying force, so please forgive the shaky action.

Here's a link to view the video directly on Youtube.com or just watch it below.

A Brief Diversion

I will be making a video soon of the completion of the perch, but this week I have Elia Bizzarri of Handtool Woodworking visiting and helping me out in the shop.
Here is Elia shaving out some spindles, he's smiling because he just made a joke about me being short, I bet Sam Maloof doesn't have to put up with this! (I know, I'm not Sam)



I'm enjoying the hard working assistance and company in the shop, plus the opportunity to discuss the fine details of technique and design with another chairmaker. We should get a lot done this week (Elia already roughed 60 legs in a day), and hopefully find the time to finish the perch series.