A Turtle On His Back

I feel like a woodworker wanna-be. I'm just standing in the bleachers with a big foam finger that reads "wood is #1". I have no wood shop, my tool collection is microscopic, my skills are laughable...I am genuinely at square one of my journey. I am less of a woodworker and more of a wood-observer. I have not yet taken in passionate stances on the proper technique for this or that, nor do I have developed opinion on place of power tools vs. hand tools. I am at the threshold...

And truly is a good place to be...the beginners mind is the zen mind...says master Roshi.

There is a wealth of thought and knowledge to be gained as a beginner. Studying woodworking, design, and furniture opens many doors...what door to open first?

I need a project. Something with hand tools maybe...hmmm...

Another Maloof Peice I Drool Over...

Why You Should Not Read This Blog...

There are more blogs in the world than people it seems. That notion holds the same for woodworking blogs alone. The thing about woodworking and furniture making blogs is that...there is a heap-o-good blogs to read! It's startling how many interesting, unique, smart, creative writers we have amongst our passion for wood, form, and function.

For us amatures it's pretty easy to get discouraged with so many talented and adept hands typing and working. Is it wise to throw one more chattering voice in the heap? Does it matter?

Of course it does. This isn't over saturation...this is community. Each one us or every group of us is working to create the modern woodworker...modern woodwork. So many voices speaking and so many hands working create the very field we work in. I believe that we, like no other generation, have the opportunity to bring together and unify our craft. Much as other movements and styles of the past have but without laptops. I'm happy to add my small, unsteady voice to the chant...maybe, before long i will know what I'm chanting...

The Mythic Man Made Bottle Island Of Mexico

Baddest Mobile Home..EVER!!!

I think it's safe to say these prefab designs defy all preconcevied notions of "mobile homes".

The Legendary James Kernov

"...form is only a beginning. It is the combination of feelings and a function; shapes and things that come to one in connection with the discoveries made as one goes into the wood, that pull it together and give meaning to form." JK

A Thing Of Beauty

An amazing recycled photograph of a 19th century toolchest...

Handmade in America: Sam Maloof, 1982

Here is some incredible vintage footage of the one and only Sam Maloof. I have read so much about Maloof since his passing ealier this year. Lately I find myself staring at photographs of his work for hours.

Many of us who aprreciate Maloof will never own a Maloof. As beautiful as these works are they are nothing untill they are sat in. SO...I have an idea for a travling exhibit. One ticket affords you a five minute uninterupted rock in a Maloof rocker...hmmm...

confines by makoto yabuki

CONFINE(S) from makoto yabuki on Vimeo.

Scope by makoto yabuki

scope from makoto yabuki on Vimeo.

MANAKAI by Makoto Yabuki

MANAKAI from makoto yabuki on Vimeo.

White Box by Makoto Yabuki

White Box from makoto yabuki on Vimeo.

Respect your tools...or else!

Here is an article from the amazing book set; "The Art Of Woodworking" by time-life. Needless to say "The Art of Woodworking"(abbrv. AOW) is a treasure chest of woodworking knowledge. I'm not sure if it is still in print. If it is, get it! It's probably not cheap (there are more than a dozen books in the set.

Here is a samplefrom AOW. This is an all to important message often understood but likely overlooked. It is easy to fall in love with tools but somewhat harder to take care of them. I haven't got the hang of it. Sadly, I have ruined so many tools with neglect. I, like most American woodworkers, am fascinated by Japanese woodworking...the precision, the skill...the tools. In this article we can see just how serious Japanese tool care is to some...

Marvels Of Prefabrication

As much as I love unique, one of kind, labors of love made of simple materials like wood and metal...I also love well designed prefabricated works made of all materials.(especially sustainable materials). That being said...i have developed a love of prefab/modular homes. I think i will probably find it hard not to post prefab houses i like every now and then. So here are a few to start...

Designed, Built, and Beyond

Square one

My plan...

to follow the learning process from the small amount of "skill" and "knowledge" i have to my first completed peice designed, built. and beyond...

Take It From The top

My woodworking experience...

1995- remodeled a bungalow with architecture students from LSU.
1998-attended Union apprentice school for...3mos.
1998-2006 some odd Carpenter jobs through out the years...including...
building several buildings (sheds, chicken coops, ect.)... most were built using found
materials...such as; packing pallets, bailing wire, old tin, ect.)
2005-2006 worked in a cabinet shop post-Hurricane Katrina...lots...TONS of cabinets were
needed.
2007- framing carpenter for summer.

Geometry is the Sincerest form of flattery

Andy Gilmore's page...

http://www.birdbrid.com/

This is artwork that bekons me to break out my conpass and protractor. There is nothing more pleasing than colorful geometric shapes, that is except, colorful geometric patterns. I think it is safe to say i will be breaking out the "spyro-graph" soon...somehow, I get the feeling that gilmore's process might be a little more complicated.

Some "Beautifully Boring" photos from Build Blog

http//blog.buildllc.com/2009/08/beautifully-boring-scenes/

Terreform

Terreform: "FAB TREE HAB
Living Graft Prefab Structure

Credits: Mitchell Joachim
Lara Greden, Javier Arbona

Our dwelling is composed with 100% living nutrients. Here traditional anthropocentric doctrines are overturned and human life is subsumed within the terrestrial environs. Home, in this sense, becomes indistinct and fits itself symbiotically into the surrounding ecosystem.
This home concept is intended to replace the outdated design solutions at Habitat for Humanity. We propose a method to grow homes from native trees. A living structure is grafted into shape with prefabricated Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) reusable scaffolds. Therefore, we enable dwellings to be fully integrated into an ecological community."

Imagination...good for your health...great for the enviroment!

Terreform: "WILLOW BALLS

Credits: Mitchell Joachim, Melanie Fessel, Maria Aiolova.

We are committed to promoting the principles of ecotourism and responsible travel. It is important to determine if your trip conserves and improves the places you visit. These mini-lodges are composed of prefabricated pleached structures. Each unit has access to composting toilets, gray water systems, and solar powered lighting."

The new woodworker begins...

self-portait...

Creative Review - CR Blog

Creative Review - CR Blog