Brookside Woodworking Blog

OK  The beds went out last week.  They came out real nice.  They should be delivered next week.  I used PlyCon transport for delivery this time.  They had a good rate and the dispatcher on the phone sounded like he really wanted my business.   I was happy with the two guys who picked upi the beds.  They were very efficient and careful.

I forgot to mention last time.  I got a new piece of equipment recently.  I bought a downdraft sanding table.  I’ve wanted one for some time.  It’s one of the best investments I have made in my shop.  I can sand all day and I don’t need a mask or anything.  It keeps the air clean and the dust out of my nose.  It’s a Denray, by the way.

I ended up at about 5,100 miles this year.  I haven’t been outside much because winter finally found us.  It’s been cold.  Been riding the rug lately.  I have a nice trainer, so that makes it easier.

Now, to the title of this post.  I got another significant order yesterday.  It’s for a sideboard I made some time ago.  At least it’s based on that sideboard.  we made some big changes to it.  Things are picking up lately.  I have also been picking some smaller jobs to fill in, so it looks like I will be busy for a while.  I am also supposed to go back to work for John next week.   I have tpo admit that I feel a little guilty about having so much work lately when so many people are losing their jobs.  I only wish I had enough work to put one or two of those people to work.  maybe someday, although I do have the perfect personality to work alone.

Well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and the new year is a great one.  Keep reading.  Thanks.

Not much to say this time.  Work is progressing on the beds.  I had to go to New Hampshire for the 8/4 red birch.  Highland Hardwoods is where I got it.  It is a real good yard with a huge selection.  It’s the only place I can always find 8/4 red birch.  It’s a long drive and not real cheap, but worth the trip.  Check them out if you find yourself in the Brentwood NH area.  Their selection of bird’s-eye left a lot to be desired though.  I went to a local yard for that.  So far, all I’ve gotten done is ripping and sanding the bird’s-eye for laminating into slats and I have about 20 glued up.  I only have one form, so it takes a while.  I need 48 and will make 51.  Always good to have a couple of extras.  I picked up a couple of small jobs to do while I am doing the slats, so I’m not bored or anything.  They are done now, so I will be starting the beds frames tomorrow.

We’re experimenting with doing a video series to post here and on Youtube showing how I make these beds.  Just experimenting so far.  No promises.  Eventually we’re going to do this.  If not this time, then next.

On another note, I am about 26 miles short of 5000 miles this year on my bike.  I’ll have that by the weekend.  we’ve been having some great weather lately.  65 yesterday.  This is the last day of it for now though.  Back to November tomorrow.

Alright, that’s it for now.  Keep checking back here and e-mail me if you have anything to say.  Post a comment here.  Check out my website too.

Thanks.

Hey all.  I was just reading some comments.  I have some legitimate readers.  Good to know.  Keep the comments coming.

OK, A lot has been happening since my last post.  Yea, It was a while ago.  First, the show went well.  I sold a couple of small side tables.  Only two people sold anything and I am happy to be one of them.  Kind of validates me to myself, if you know what I mean.  Here is a shot of the blanket chest I made for the show.

Sapele Blanket Chest

I think it came out good.  I am really happy with it.  Unfortunately, it didn’t sell but people seem to like it.

Next bit of news.  After that show, we did the Fine Furniture Festival in Woodstock.  We had a good showing but made no sales.  I’m not surprised at that though.  With the economy what it is lately, people are not spending money.

I have been working for John a lot this year.  We just finished a kitchen made from bamboo.  Now, they call this a green product.  They start with bamboo, which by itself could be considered a green product, and shred it.  They then mix it with copious amounts of epoxy and press it into sheets.  Each sheet is then wrapped individually in plastic and loaded onto a ship and sent halfway around the world.  How is this a green product???  There is more energy and chemicals in this the production process of it than you think.  I do like the look of it though.  It made a nice kitchen.  After we finished the kitchen, I got laid of.  Just in time though because I got an order for two sleigh beds to go to Aspen, Colorado.  (hence, the title of this post)  I also have been getting an increasing number of inquiries.  People are starting to peek out of their holes.  Hopefully this will keep going.

Lastly, I didn’t raise the minimum amount for the MS ride, so I was unable to participate.  Next year I am going to start my fund raising a lot earlier.  Also, the economy should be better so people will be  a bit more generous.

All for now.  I have to get back to the shop to finish up a couple of things so I can get going on the beds.  I’ll keep you posted on them.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions, leave your comments and visit my website. www.brooksidewoodworking.com

Thanks for reading.

I finished re-finishing the tables for the college.  They came out fine.  It’s amazing how a fresh finish can revive a tired looking piece of wood.  They look almost new again.  I still have to hang onto them for now though.  I have some of them in my trailer.  I can’t fit all of them without stacking them which I don’t want to do with fresh finish.  I want it to let it age for a while.  For now, I’ll just work around them.

I started a new project yesterday.  Nothing much but the Guild is doing a show in Bratleboro at Vermont Artisan Designs in Brattleboro.  This the second time we’ve done it.  It runs the month of August so come on in and check it out if you get a chance.  Anyway, I am making a blanket chest for the show.  I have made several blanket chests as spec pieces and I usually have good luck with them.  This one is made from some nice sapele,(aka ribbon stripe mahogany) and should look nice.  I will have a picture when it’s done.  I will also have the bed I did recently.  You saw it if you’re a regular reader.  Hopefully it’ll be a good show.  last year I sold a blanket chest, so, of course, Michele said she wanted another one this year.

Lastly, I have once again signed up for the MS bike ride.  It will be the weekend of August 8 and 9 and is a total of 200 miles.  I am still looking for donations, so if you want to help, click here.  Every little bit helps.  I only need a couple of hundred more to reach my goal.

Well that’s what is going on for now.  Thanks for keeping up and as always, feel free to comment, drop me an e-mail, or visit my website.  www.brooksidewoodworking.com.

I’m still here.  I’m sitting here watching stage three of the tour.  Nothing exiting, but it’s good to see it again.

anyway, I was reminded a couple of times lately that I haven’t  updated things in a while.  It has been too.  For reasons i will get into, I have some time now.  Although I have been busy lately, I do not offer that as an excuse.  The truth is, I got a little lazy.  (I also spend a lot of my free time riding my bike)  But, to the few pwople who might like to read this, I’m not being fair.

As to why I have some time right now.  Like I said, I have been working for John.  The big job we were working on ended and we were just about ready to start the next job which was a kitchen when the client got laid off!!!  I left right there because, like I said to him, he needs to give priority to his regular guys.  There is not a lot of work anymore.  I hope he can keep his regulars busy.

I have had a few small jobs and the phone is ringing a little.  I just finished a screen door for a local couple and I think I will get a small blanket chest in the near future.  Right now I am refinishing some tables I made for the local college a few years ago.  They are putting a huge addition onto the campus and had to clear out the building where the tables are used.  Since they had to do that, they asked me to re-finish them.  Those student are rough on furniture.  The tables themselves held up well, but there are stains, gum globs, ink doodles and just plain dirt.  There is also one of them that got wet and stayed that way.  The top needs some attention.  I think it’s salvagable though.

OK, last thing for now.  I promised pictures of the furniture I sent to New York.  I have a picture of one of the chairs.  The tables are so much like the other ones I do, I didn’g include them.  Here is the chair.

The new Chair

Came out nice, don’t you think??  Alright, that’s all I have time for right now.  Hopefully it won’t be so long next time.

As always e-mail walt@brooksidewoodworking.com  or visit my website, www.brooksidewoodworking.com

Thanks

Hi all.  Once again I have to start with an apology.  It’s been some time since I’ve been here.  A lot has happened.  To start with, I have finished the furniture that I mentioned last time.  It came out really nice.  I had been wanting to do a straight arm Morris Chair for some time and finally got to.  I am very happy with it.  I’m going to photograph the whole order this week and I will post them.  They are getting picked up for shipping on Friday.  I like the way everything came out but especially the chairs.  Unfortunately, other that that, things have been quiet.  I have been working for john a lot so I haven’t put a lot of effort into marketing.  With the economy the way it is, (scary isn’t it?) people are a little afraid to spend any money and I don’t blame them.  Michele and I are not at risk for the most part. (knock on wood) She has a great job and I have plenty to do between woodworking and driving the bus.  I hope those words don’t come back to haunt me. 

Anyway, next bit of news is, we did the charity ride and had a great time.  We raised over a thousand dollars.  I didn’t have a great day on the bike.  I hit the wall about 42 miles into it.  I think between not getting a lot of training miles and, once again, not having enough to eat contributed to it.  I have a bad habit of not eating enough.  I rode really strong for the first 42 miles though.  I was right out in the lead group taking my turns pulling.  While we were there we visited the Biltmore Estate.  Look it up.  This place in amazing.  The largest home in America.  It’s HUGE!!!!  It’s expensive to visit, but well worth it.  If you are in the Asheville NC area, make the effort to go.  You won’t be disappointed.  I also got to ride some of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  That was a great ride.  A lot of climbing, but I like going up hill.  I wish the weather had been better.  It was cold while we were there.  Not like home, but colder than normal. 

Next bit of news.  I think this is the best news.  I bought a new bike.  Well, new to me anyway.  First of all, I have always been partial to Specialized.  I found a great deal on a Tarmac S-Works SL.  Those of you in the know, know this bike.  I have demoed it and it’s an amazing ride.  It will be here on Friday from southern California and i can’t wait.  It’s a lot more bike than I ever thought I would own. 

Something i forgot to mention, I got a new air compressor for the shop.  It’s a big Ingersoll-Rand.  I’ll finally be able to get and use a DA sander.  They’re great tools and It will be good to finally have them.  Just in time too, because Michele gave me the word the other day, she’s ready to re-do our kitchen.  It really needs it and it’s going to be a big job.  I have to get started on the cabinets soon.  We’ll see how the finances go though. 

Allright, that’s all for now.  I don’t promise to be more vigilant in updating this blog, but I do promise to try.  Thanks for reading.  Please let me know what you think.  e-mail me.  walt@brooksidewoodworking.com  Bye.

Hi all,

I knlw, I know, it’s been forever since you heard from me.  It’s partly laziness,(yes, I admit it) and partly because I’ve been so busy.  Unfortunately not in my shop though.  I won’t lie, it’s been slow.  I am very lucky that John is real busy right now.  He’s into a huge project and I can work there as much as I want.  I have been working there a lot.  It’s a duplex that is a total of 12,000 square feet.  There are doors, cabinets, trim, millwork, stairs, etc.  You name it.  It’s a real talented bunch and I consider myself very fortunate to have that opportunity.  I also signed up for another charity bike ride.  This one is on New Year’s Day in Winston-Salem North Carolina and benefits Cancer services.  It’s a local company that helps people with cancer.  Kind of like Livestrong and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  You can find info on the ride here.  If you want to donate on my behalf, go to this link. http://www.active.com/donate/cancerservicesrfc/WStanley.  My goal is $500.  we did this ride two years ago and raised $1,000 in four weeks.  We travelled the farthest for the ride and raised the most money.  With the economy the way it is, I have set my goal a bit lower this time. 

I got a substantial order last week.  Someone in NYC ordered 2 Morris chairs, three end tables and one coffee table.  All in ribbon stripe mahogony.  I was real happy to get that order.  Like I said, things have been slow.  I just got the lumber a couple of days ago.  I’m really looking forward to getting back to work in my own shop.  I will still work for John a couple of days, ( I don’t want to burn any bridges) but I am kind of chomping at the bit.  I’ll keep you all updated as the project progresses. 

I’ve gotta say, I really like my pellet stove.  I have hardly used the furnace at all this year.  It’s starting to get a little cooler and I’ve only burned about 15 bags of pellets.  I’m curious to see how it will do when it starts to get cold.  I’m sitting here near a cozy fire typing on my laptop.  Beat’s the hell out of sitting next to a warm radiator.  It’s a lot more environmentally friendly too. 

I’d love to hear from anyone who might be reading this.  Please visit my website at www.brooksidewoodworking.com  or shoot me an e-mail.  Thanks for sticking with me.

Hi.  I am very encouraged.  I have gotten some complimentary comments on my work lately.  People are reading my blog and like what I’m doing.  It kind of makes this a little more enjoyable knowing I’m not just doing it for me.  Thanks for the comments and the kind word.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  I have no secrets.

Anyway, like I said, the show is over.  Attendance was good and traffic was steady.  Unfortunately, I didn’t make any sales.  I did have a lot of interest.  I think, given the state of the economy, people were a little afraid to spend money.  Some of the production company made sales from what i heard.  I’m hoping to get a phone call or two in the coming months.  I did get the bed done in time for the show.  I even had some time to spare so I made four small display tables out of some really nice curly maple that I’ve had for some time.  These tables are something I have made many times in the past and they are usually popular.  I can price them low enough to be cash and carry.  Trouble is, nobody wanted to carry last weekend.  That’s ok.  You can’t have everything.  Where would you put it??  So, here’s a picture of the bed all done.  It’s in my booth from the show. 

Walnut and Bird's-eye maple sleigh bed

I’ve got to admit, I like the way it turned out.  I had some good interest in it too.  You can see a couple of the small tables I made beside the bed,  Now I have to find someplace to put the bed.  My showroom is small. 

I have to say, I finally got my new pellet stove installed in my house and we got to fire it up last night.  I think I’m going to like that thing.  Especially when I pay $200 per ton for pellets versus $3.50 to $4.00 per gallon for fuel.  They say a ton of pellets equals 115 gallons of oil.  I don’t think oil will ever be that cheap again, do you??

Alright, that’s all for now.  Thanks for staying with me and please keep those comments and questions coming.  It’s very encouraging.

OK.  I got the tables done.  They came out great and most importantly, the customer was thrilled.  They were impressed that I got them done in time.  It was close though.  I delivered them on Monday, and they needed them Tuesday.  I don’t have any pictures of them yet.  i was having trouble with my camera.  They said they would get me some shots. 

The show in woodstockstarts Saturday.  I finished my new pieces this morning.  I made the bed I mentioned earlier.  Here’s a shot of it.  It’s not done in this shot, but you get the idea. 

Walnut Sleigh Bed

 It’s not a great shot, but I took it with my cell phone.  It has great resolution, but the shutter speed is so slow, that it’s tough to get a good shot.  The head board is bird’s-eye maple veneer.  Check my website.  When i get a good shot of it, I’ll put a picture of it there. 

I also made a set of four small display tables.  These are tables i have made a lot of over the years.  They have done fairly good for me.  They are intended for a cash and carry item.  Not too expensive and easy to carry out.  I try to have a few impulse type items at shows I do.  Sometimes they sell, sometimes they don’t.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed.  Still some bad news about the economy.  Hopefully George’s replacement can do better than George.  Tonight we’ll start to load the heavy stuff and tomorrow I’ll load the rest myself so we can get right out the door Friday morning.  We are having a guild meeting before the show. 

Speaking of the guild, We just finished a show in Brattleboro.  I am happy to say that one of my pieces was one of only two sales at the show.  I sold the blanket chest I had there.  I had several pieces and that was the one i wanted to keep for a while so I could use it in Woodstock, but hey, I’m not complaining.  The show was well attended, but participation from the guild members was a little sparse.  Maybe next year we’ll have better participation. 

I know this was a short effort, but I still have a lot to do to get ready and I want to get in a last bike ride tonight.  I’m going to get busy.

Thanks for sticking with me.  Feel free to post you comments.

It never fails.  I spent all summer trying to find stuff to do.  School started today so I am back on the bus.  Suddenly, I have more to do than I can get done.  I mentioned that I am building a bed for a show coming up.  Suddenly I get a call from a past customer who needs two or now three tables made by the end of next week.  I have to get the lumber shipped from Pennsylvania.  It is going to be quarter sawn cherry and I can’t find it locally.  PA has the best cherry anyway.  Now I’m under the gun for the bed.  I have to get it done but there isn’t going to be much time.  This is going to seriously cut into my biking time.  Oh well.  My lumber should be here on Thursday and then there are going to be a few long days and some nights.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I just wish the powers that be could have better timing. 

I’ve Gotten off to a good start on the bed.  I am currently bagging the panels for the headboard.  As soon as i get them done I have to put it on hold until I get these tables done.  Then I can get the bed done just in time for my show.  ( I love it when  plan comes together.) 

That’s all for now.  I have to get on the bus.  Don’t forget to visit my website.  www.brooksidewoodworking.com 

Thanks. Bye.