In all the creative work I have done with live-edge material, I have always looked at a cut section - where a limb was removed or the material cut to length - as a shortcoming. But recently, I had an epiphany. Like so many of my revelations, this one came while experimenting on a piece … Continue reading Defects Are Hints For Something Better
This bedside table is my latest commissioned work. It is made of butternut. Although some woodworkers don't like to use knots in their work, I really like the focal point which a knot can provide. The grain around the knot is also very interesting and pretty. In the past, when using wood with two live … Continue reading Butternut Bedside Table
Last weekend, I met with some of my fellow Artwalk participants and showed them the yellow cedar chair that I'd built to hang in the tree outside The Bistro Gallery where I will be showing my work. They loved the concept and encouraged me to make another piece for a second tree. So, that's what … Continue reading Table in a Tree
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
On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working. That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 11 – Straight Lines on Wonky Surfaces
On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working. That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 1 – Flat Boards are Boring
Dream big and push for it. But be reasonable. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. Hope for everything but expect nothing. I built my Table with a Twist to submit for "Regeneration: Fine Woodworkers Under 30". After submitting my table, I, along with another 184 woodworkers, was left to wait for two weeks before I … Continue reading Setback? What Setback?
This is the third post on the construction of my Table with a Twist. The first post covered the making of the legs and the second post covered the aprons. The tabletop was the last main component to be made. I had selected a premium piece of figured maple which I milled to about 42" x 12-1/2" … Continue reading Construction of “Table with a Twist” – Part 3: Top and Finishing
This is the second post on the construction of my Table with a Twist. The first post covered the making of the legs. I had initially thought about making the aprons square like the legs because I knew how to twist a square blank and wasn't sure how a rectangular blank would work. I experimented … Continue reading Construction of “Table with a Twist” – Part 2: Twisted Aprons
When I set out to create this table I knew that I wanted to use plain wood for the base and figured wood for the top. I knew that straight-grained wood would be easier to carve, and complements the carving well; curvy grain would distract from the linear design. I expected that using figured wood … Continue reading Construction of “Table with a Twist” – Part 1: Legs
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 