Stumpy

This is the second in the line of stump pieces.

The orange stump blew apart while it was drying...
With this new yellow piece I have let in dovetail keys to keep the checks in balance.
I think that they add a certain element of contrast to the whole idea that I am reconstructing a tree.
We often lose sight of where the wood we use comes from when we and make furniture.
The end user sometimes does not consider the wood used but refers only to a certain color of stain that they associate with a particular wood.I think that this idea can use some more exploration.
I will keep you posted; I have more trees to put back together.

From The bench

New work from my bench

I have had this idea for some time to reconstruct logs into seating, small stools, benches or even side tables.

This is the first go. The cast aluminum legs are from another piece that I was unhappy with. I thought that they looked good on this stump.

I am working on a red stump and an acid yellow stump as well. I rescued plastic legs from a dumpster near the studio for the yellow stump. The red job will get legs made of wood. I have not really worked out the fine details yet.

I hope to have more images of this project soon.

I think that this idea is worth exploring further.

Owens Side Table

Owens Side Table is glued up

Here is an image of the case for O’s Bedside table. I still need to cut drawers and fit them. I hope to have time this week to work on that part.
I just picked up a Uni Saw that I am installing in a shop space next door. A Lee Valley bench that I got at the same time made its way to the Studio. It’s nice to have another rock solid work surface.

I Have Been Collecting

I have been collecting lots and lots of used laundry detergent bottles.

This is yet another idea in my recycling /re purposing train of thought.
The idea was to use the plastic from the laundry detergent bottles to make a large floor piece that glowed .
I plan on putting some lights in it and propping it up from the inside with threaded rods
I really wanted to have it made to put in a show with John Roberts a WhiteStone Gallery member but collecting the plastic has proven to be harder than I thought.So I had to back out of the show.
I do have a start to the project , I have made a 3’X3‘ semi cupped shape, It could be a wall piece, but I really want to continue collecting to make it sit on the floor.

Mock Up For Owen

Here is the mock up for Owens bedside table.

Since it will be made of old doors, I thought that it would be nice to us
the glass knobs as feet; it’s the self referential thing,
The back leg detail is from an old piece of furniture I saw in Montreal by the side of the road in the 80ies.
It was a small dresser if I remember correctly, I wish now that I would have put it in the back of my truck and brought it home.
When saw it, I thought to myself that it was a very inventive way to make a back foot. They had used the side of the piece to create a foot.
At the time I was still in University working on my Fine Art Degree so I never thought that this design element would make its way into my vocabulary as a furniture designer maker.
I do not know if it is a Canadian design detail but I will assume that it is and quote the source as such.
I have since glued up the Bed Side Table. The inside and exposed edges are painted black. The rest of the carcass is mitred so that the finish that was on the doors originally wraps around the exterior surface.
It looks like a patch work quilt.
When there is a bit of down time in the studio, I will make a jig to cut out the back feet.
Right now I am working on panels and frames for shows that are coming up next month.

The View From My Bench

Repurposed Wood

Here is a piece that I was working on just before I moved to the Studio.

I repurposed some wood for this stool and also found a home for a sign that I have been carrying around for quite some time.

I also have a low stool that follows the same design principal of repurposed wood. Sadie has claimed that one for her bedroom.

The idea with this line of products is that furniture need not be made of the most expensive exotic hard woods to be considered furniture,I hope that good design can overcome what some may feel is a short fall when it comes to material choise.

I have seen rocking chairs made of hockey sticks and cottage deck chairs made from some water skis that looked really amazing.

I will keep exploring this idea and keep you posted. Next on the list is a bedside table for Owen my son. It will be made of old doors that I have resawn . I will try to post images soon.