If I lived and worked alone, music would play almost 24 hours a day. (In fact, on the rare occasion when Lucy leaves town, that is exactly what happens.) Many times it’s the radio (WMOT-FM is a favorite). Or an album or playlist based on my mood. We play music in the bench room during…
Read moreOn Friday, I knocked together a cupboard inspired by Romanian peasant furniture for my next book, “The American Peasant.” The piece was made entirely by hand, but using Western tools instead of Eastern European ones. All the joints are drawbored and glued (with gelatin glue I made here in the shop). When I went to…
Read moreIf you don’t want to mix up your own soap finish – or if you just want to give it a try – the Pure Soap Flake Co. offers it pre-mixed in jars for as little as $10. The product is called Pure Castile Cream Soap, and it is available in 8 oz. to 64…
Read moreFor the last 20 years I’ve used mostly milk paints and acrylics on my furniture. I have reservations about both kinds of paint. On milk paint, I find it inconsistent and a lot of work. When it works, it’s great. But it takes significant effort and time (for me) to get good results. And just…
Read moreWe’ve just received another load of brass engraved center squares, which are now in our store. Whenever I’m building a chair or working with curved surfaces, this tool is always on my bench or in my apron pocket. Yes, the tool is useful for marking the centers on a piece before putting it on the…
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