I recently completed this pair of coffee tables for a patient customer. They were made from a local fruit cherry tree. The client wanted two tables that could be used together or independently. Both tables were physically identical, with minor character differences. The design was the client's, but I was allowed creative license. One of … Continue reading Cherry Coffee Tables
Saturday was a full day in the shop. After breakfast, I went down to the shop and built 90% of a chair which will be installed up in a tree. (In case you missed it, here's the back story.) I documented my progress live on Twitter using hashtag #FlairWW (follow me @FlairWoodworks) which was useful because each update … Continue reading Chair in a Tree
Power carving is unlike working with hand tools because you can remove wood without regard for grain direction or knots. To me, this is liberating as I can focus on form. As I work, I constantly ask myself, "Do I want to save this section or obliterate it? My sculpting approach is to simply remove … Continue reading Include or Exclude?
Some of my recent designs have involved complex angled joinery, such as the base of this table inspired by a sketch by Vic Hubbard. I was having a hard time visualizing in my head how the joinery would work, so I built a prototype to help me understand. Since it's only a prototype to explore the mechanics … Continue reading The Value of Prototyping
This year, I will be exhibiting in Port Moody's ArtWalk. Opening night reception will be at the Old Mill Boathouse at Rocky Point Park on Friday April 12, 6:30pm-8:30pm and ArtWalk will take place the following Saturday and Sunday along Clarke Street. Artists will be hanging art in the trees to promote the event and … Continue reading Art in the Trees
Ten months ago, my co-host Matt Gradwohl and I retooled the weekly Twitter chat known as #Woodchat and added a video component to include more content. Last Wednesday, we talked with our guest Eli Cleveland of The Furniture Project about how to show work in a furniture show. We had a lot of questions for Eli and he … Continue reading #Woodchat Discusses Furniture Shows
Many woodworkers are technically skilled and able to create an item exactly as detailed in a plan. Some lack the willingness to take risks and push the boundaries. Technical skills are important, but they only get you so far. Creativity and problem solving are key skills for anyone making original work. For me, design is … Continue reading Roll With It
Last weekend, I attended a private gathering of 40 of Port Moody's top artists. To help everyone get to know each other, we were given an activity. We were each given a list with everyone's name and we were to say "hi" to everyone else and share two words that represent an inspiration to us. … Continue reading Inspiration, in a Word
Right now, I have a lot on my plate. I have builds to complete, projects I want to start, seminars to design, events for which to prepare, deliveries to organize, and the list continues. Sometimes, my mind gets caught up in it all and it can be overwhelming. At these times, I try to find … Continue reading Forward Momentum
Fellow woodworker and blogger Kenny Comeaux recently interviewed me about design and inspiration. Read the whole interview on his blog, The Wood Ninja. This is the sixth slide from my PechaKucha presentation. Inspiration and Initial Experimentation Prototype #1 Prototype #2 Prototype #3
