Time for a Change?

The seasons are changing again and maybe it's time to think about changes in the wood shop.
As artists and crafts people, we walk a fine line between doing what we love and creating a product that people want. Also, in this business particularly, exotic wood supplies dictate what we can or cannot build.
We need to think outside the box.
What was it that drew us into the world of woodworking? Where did we get the inspiration? Why do we continue to love it?
What can we do to mix it up and stay challenged?
It may be as simple as a buying a new blade or trying a new finish.
But more likely, it's something very difficult.
Try experimenting with different styles. Use your past experiences to tap into a new way of thinking about the wood. Open your mind to all of it's possibilities.
You will find that your creativity sores when you change the scale of your pieces or change the structure. Think of all the aspects of wood working that you've never tried. Carving, painting and inlaying are just a few of the ways we can change our work to delight ourselves and others.

Tip Of The Week: Do some research in museums and books to find something you'd like to try.
Shout Out Of The Week: Thank you to Fermin Leon. Your global expertise and ethics have made you invaluable to my company and many others in Sonoma County.

Back To Work

The holiday season means being busy. Luckily we left our woodshops clean over the long vacation and all the machines are lubricated and ready to go. If you're having trouble getting motivated, start with some of these tips. First hook up with your friends, teachers or agents. These are the folks that have inspired you in the past. They will have ideas and information for you. Next, you will need to take a little road trip. Call the lumber suppliers and go check out all the wood in the area. This provides more inspiration and an idea of supplies and demand. Lastly, spend time in the studio. Make it warm and comfortable. Get used to being back in your work environment. Play music and make sketches. You'll be cutting and gluing before you know it.
Tip Of The Week: Stay fit. You will be needing all the energy you can get. Taking care of you back alone is a part-time job.
Shout Out Of The Week: A special thanks to Artie Bell. You couldn't ask for a better crew on The Sea Ranch. Dependable, affordable and knowledgeable.

End of the Season

For some of us, Autumn means the end of the Art Festival Season. Now is the time to follow a few maintenance and organizational proceedures.
In the Shop: Unplug machines to save energy. Sharpen and oil all blades that require it. Blow out the dust from inside all the machines and hand held power tools. Sweep or wipe all the surfaces including windows and light fixtures.
In the Office: Follow up with mailing list and client list. It's a good idea to email everyone waiting for art. Tell them when they can expect to receive their orders. Update your website.
Tip of the Week: Blasting air through your sanders keeps them running smoothly.
Shout Out of the Week: Thank You to Olkay and everyone at My Tour Expert for planning the ultimate getaways for tired artists and their families.

Getting Back to Work

With an art festival coming in September, I figured it was time to leave all the gardening behind and get back in the shop. Ive been concentrating on having a varied selection of colorful woods. Next time you see me there will be all the colors of the rainbow accounted for in my booth.
Oldest graduated college last week, youngest graduated high school this week. So I can concentrate on working while still finding little moments to celebrate and have some fun. Their accomplishments are so big that it makes wood turning seem small at times. We just have to remind ourselves it is the small things, the little moments that make art and life so unpredictable and joyful.

Tip of the Week: When getting back to work, don't forget to enjoy moments away from the wood shop. Ride that motorcycle, attend that music festival, and don't forget to exercise.

Shout Out of the Week: Thank you to the folks at Grab N Grow. Looks like we'll have at least a few bumper crops this season.

Choosing an Art Festival

I started looking into art festivals in the 1990s. I found many books and magazines that rate art festivals using different descriptions and criteria needed to make a decision on whether or not to apply.
I decided to apply to shows in my area that had a good reputation but also some fringe benefits such as musical entertainment, and great food. I was also sure to find events that showcased artwork in my same price-range to be comfortable that my work wouldn't be too expensive or too low-end for that particular fair. Before long I realized that setting up at street fairs can be rigorous and often confusing.
Through networking with other artists, I learned about the most popular and unpopular shows in America. Many are still just too far away. But maybe someday I will make a road trip back east. It's important to take all costs into account.
Traveling costs include transportation, shipping, lodging and eating.
Show costs include booth fees, extra insurance, licences and often commissions are paid on all sales. Remember that booth fees can range from $100 to $4000 and commissions can eat up to 40% of your total sales.
Choose shows that are in a climate comfortable for you to be out in for many days. Climate can also effect delicate art such as textiles and woodwork. You might want to try an indoor show if you are just starting out.
Plan your first booth very carefully by setting up the booth at home or at work. That way you can take your time designing it and you wont over-crowd the space whether it is 10' x 10' or larger. The larger the booth, the more comfortable patrons feel in it.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to take a chance. Some shows are very hard to get accepted into. When a rejection letter or e-mail comes, just throw it away and move on. Because the very next letter will have good news. And it is good news because art festivals are serious fun.
You will meet hundreds of people, all of them in festive mood and soaking up inspiration from art and artists. You make friendships that can last forever.

Tip of the Week: Go check out art festivals the year before you apply to see if they're right for you.

Shout Out of the Week: Thanks to the management at Gualala Redwoods for the taking us on the tour and answering all of our questions.

Shopping for Wood

The weather has been gloomy lately. Too muddy to work on the landscaping and so I decided to go shopping for wood. I started in Berkeley thinking I could also grab lunch at one of my favorite jaunts right across the street fro Mac Beath. After an uneventful drive I found a whole lot of nothing there. There was one beautiful piece of wenge. The problem was that I drove the truck that day and really needed a van for this massive board. Another issue was the cost, a whopping $500. I passed on it only to find that my beloved tofu house was gone and gone forever. Luckily Berkeley in packed with scores of great places to eat.
Heading north, I totally forgot to check with Handloggers in Richmond. Years ago I would find nice Tulipwood there. They have a nice operation and specialize in wood flooring.
I made it back to Windsor and he guys at Mount Storm seemed to be in good spirits. Only problem was I didn't find anything there either. But they mentioned a shipment coming in soon was expected to be big.
This is the dance I do every few months. Sometimes I come home with a huge load of wood. Other times nothing.
This inventory problem is another sign of a bad economy. Retailers in every category are in a pinch. Trying to sell existing stock while attracting buyers like us is difficult to juggle. For now, I'll call first to find out when shipments are coming in and re-check to see if they actually arrived. But in the end you never know what's going to be there until you see it. Fortunately for me I started seeing this pattern of shortages last year. So I keep a big supply of lumber in the shop. Right now I have enough wood to keep me busy for a couple of years, but cant wait to find some more.

Tip of the Week: If you know exactly what you're looking for, call the retailers and ask a lot of questions including how much things cost. You'll avoid sticker shock and wont be surprised by shortages.

Shout Out of the Week: Thanks to David at Woodcraft in Santa Rosa. This guy is energetic, knowledgeable and helpful.

Q and A

I have received some great questions on my web-site lately. So let's address some of them.

Q: How do you get glue joints so tight?
A: Sharp saw blades are a must. I also check the fit of each joint before gluing them up. If something seems off, use a sander (any standing sander) to work out any gaps.

Q: What kind of glue do you use?
A: I use Titebond II. Plenty of working time before drying. It can take several minutes to get each piece glued up. And you don't want a glue that dries too fast.

Q: How do you cut the pieces so that the grain lines up so nicely?
A: I don't. It just looks like the grain is lined up. Sometimes it actually does.
It would take too long to do such a process. And often it seems like pieces are lined up only to find that they are not after being turned.

Q: My purpleheart turns brown. What do you use to keep it looking so purple?
A: Purpleheart is tricky. I have vessels that are brown after only a year and I have one that has stayed purple since 1998. Always look for lumber that is very bright and purple even after it has been oxidized and on display at the lumber yard for a long time.

Q: Where do you buy your wood?
A: In the San Fran bay area I go to Mount Storm in Windsor and Macbeath in Berkeley.

Tip Of The Week: Be sure to rest your joints, especially your hands,on the weekends or days off.

Shout Out of the Week: Another great job by the teams at Modern Postcard in Carlsbad, California. No better way to spend your advertising dollars.