Winter and wood

Thought it best to get a new post up and maybe some pictures. Its early February, the super bowl is done. Got a load out of the kiln last month and have another cooking as I write this.

Furniture sales have picked up and so have inquiries about new work. That is always a good thing. Its been a number of tough years and I enjoy having a backlog again. I applied to a number of fine art shows. Now comes the waiting to see if I am good enough to get in. The art show business is interesting to say the least. I was not juried into one show so far. I looked at who was in it last year and I thought I brought something completely different to the table for this show. But it wasn't meant to be I guess. Lots more to pick from.

I have gotten some great figured maple in the last few loads along with some great flame birch. Some nice log sets and just nice stock.I still laugh when I open the kiln and see twisted curled boards in the stacks. The dry kiln owner is so upset when something like that happens. I always tell him, its not his fault. Had one in the last load that was one of the worst I have ever seen. Cut it into small pieces and gopt enough out of it for some drawers. I try and waste nothing.

I am working on 2 sugar chests/ wine storage cases. I will post some pictures when they are done.

Cold snowy weather this winter. Had rain , thunderstorms and snow and below zero temps all within 3 days last week. Hope that doesn't continue.
Guess I have talked enough for now. I will leave a few pictures. Hope you enjoy. bob

New things and a new saw

Its been a warm month of June. Have been working on some new things and some art show stuff. Got the chest back from Joan the painter. She did an absolutely wonderful job. I cannot say enough about the work she did on this piece. It is a show stopper and her workmanship and talent is evident on it.
The I have been working on a mirror frame for a client and thought it would make a nice show piece. It is a Stickley style mirror frame done in tiger maple. Nice shadow lines and a good size. My problem is, I never make just a few....I also have done a smaller , more vertical one. I'll get some pictures up at another time.
I do have one show at the end of July, Art at the Park in Appleton. Its a one day show, but last year is was 98 degrees and about 98% humidity. Kind of nasty. Then there is the 3 day show in Milwaukee at the Domes. That is in August. More to come on both of those. Lots of work to get done between now and then.

Got a new saw for the shop. 1800# of goodness. She is a Northfield sliding table, tablesaw. It takes a 14" to 18" blade. She is a beast, but something I have wanted for years. Northfield is an old family company still in business in Minnesota. New saws are still made. They are a great company to do business with. I have some work to get it working right , but it is not much. Hope to have it running soon. You can see my old 1941 unisaw to the left of the Northfield. She is going to a good home.

I didn't say much about lumber this time. I am still drying and selling. Be sure to let me know if you are searching for anything. By the way, the festool domino worked great on the mirrors.