Shop Happenings

We just finished the first Contemporary Rocker class, and it was a smashing success!!

There was a lot of prep involved and updating of processes, but the chairs came out great and rocked like a dream

I’ve been working on a technique for getting more precise bends and relating the bend better to the joinery and it paid huge dividends.

I even nearly finished a rocker myself recently (this week it WILL happen)

There are a couple of last minute class openings, one in a C arm class on the 19th of September and the other in my November 14th Temple chair class, let me know if you can make it!!!

One Cool Class and Some last minute Openings

A week ago I fulfilled a long ambition of hosting a design class, and it will be only the first of many to follow! I had a very talented group in the class from all over the country, Kelly Harris, Sarah Watlington, Lacy Carnahan, Aspen Golann and Audi Culver came in and collaborated on two different designs and followed the process from sketch, to model, to drawing, to full sized mock up to finished chair. It was invigorating to be around the talent and creativity of this group. I will be adding similar classes to open enrollment next year.

The prerequisite will be having made a few chairs, either on your own or in classes. The class isn’t about focusing on how to make the parts as much as how to think about the over all structure and design and how to evolve the idea and formulate the processes. It’s going to be fun!

Small Models help grease the wheels of designing a chair, plus they are adorable

Drawing helps nail down the proportions and the gesture

I can’t explain why I never made or imagined a birdcage lowback, but I can say I will be making one soon

I have openings in next weeks Temple chair class. I allowed a family of 3 to sign up for the class (probably won’t do that again) and one got covid so all three are out! Let me know if you want to claim a spot.

If you are interested in taking any classes from me, please be sure to visit my website and read my updated policies. Sadly, this year there have been some abuses of my honor based policies and it’s cost me substantially. I always strive to be open and fair, let me know if you have any questions!

Summer happenings

Having a lovely summer so far, making chairs, teaching classes and finally carving some spoons!!

The first coat of oil is always hotly anticipated!!! I’m wrapping up a couple of commissions, which always feels great.

It’s been a long time since I had good wood for spoon carving, I like to work from the point where a branch meets the trunk, so finding an aspen tree down in a neighbors yard with lots of branches was a real treat. Honestly, I could just carve spoons and be totally fulfilled, it’s so much fun.

One of the best happenings, is the addition of Dan Faia to my building in Rollinsford. Dan is the head of the Furniture and Cabinetry program at the North Bennet Street School and now you can work with him too! He is teaching hand tool based classes in carving, joinery and furniture making. It’s a great opportunity if you want to get into it or just want to work with one of the best furniture makers alive today. You can check out his offerings at his website. Here is a sample of his work. The breadth of his knowledge and ability blows my mind, take a class, you’ll see.