a coffee table, but not really a table just for coffee.

This table is not new. I completed it over a year ago. I was just scrolling through some older posts and realized that I had neglected to post it. This table has an interesting story. One day in the school shop, I found some cherry scraps (the word "scrap" might be the most used word on this blog). I had never worked with it before, so I just started making drawer fronts with it and some poplar (cherry smells really good when you cut it). Then I realized I wanted to tackled round corners using an approach I had seen reserved only for pedestal table columns. Then I made some panels, and knew that I wanted cone shaped legs and cherry inlays.

This was the table that hooked me. A good friend of mine gave me the book "The Alchemist" about a year ago as well. I like parts of it, and I don't like other parts of it. In the book, the author talks about the first time an individual encounters his or her calling, and makes something that feels perfect to them. From then on, they try to recapture that feeling, often without any luck. The pieces I have built since this table have been in pursuit of that feeling. I gave this table to my Granny because she has selflessly opened door after door for me.

new projects with old materials, and the birds that like 'em

As mentioned in an earlier post (although blogs don't work chronologically, so you're seeing the newest posts first, so I can't really say previously, or maybe I could), I was given some pieces and parts of furniture from antique dealer in downtown Enterprise that sustained smoke damage from a nearby fire. The headboard bench and the drawer table are the first few pieces to be created from that lot. The bench features a finished (and slightly damaged) headboard, some reworked stair treads, some salvaged oak posts, and some salvaged pine from an old barn. When I walked into the barn to take these photographs, a small wren was sitting on it- no lie.

The table utilizes some random wood slabs that were ripped (cut lengthwise on the table saw) and then glued into new panels. The drawer serves multiple purposes, functioning as storage and as the apron (stabilizing) device. No, the drawer doesn't slide forwards and backwards.

The next piece underwent a reincarnation of sorts as well. This once "Staff Women" door was reformatted into a hefty yet comfortable bench. I really like to sit on it. Perhaps that wren would as well, only there is no wren access into the dairy barn. One rip of twelve inches was made, and all that material serves as the legs. A second rip of 1" was made to remove the side of the door with the latch. A dado trench was made and then the skinny rip was inlaid into the top of the bench. Earlier plans included a door latch push button ejector seat device, but we all decided a wren wouldn't need such a thing as that.

touchin' base

Its been pretty busy lately, and there has been a some neglect on this end as far as cyber posting responsibilities. So here are a few recent thought projections to serve as an appetizer for some quickly-to-be-posted-in-the-near-future-work.

In order of appearance: State Trooper chicken, Early Bird catches the coffee, Laughing Crow, Bird dialing a telephone.