Only a fraction of all art that was ever created survives to this day. Naturally, large structures or images in stone have a better chance at survival. It is very hard to preserve wooden items for extended amounts of time, as they deteriorate rapidly unless kept in a well protected environment. If a wooden sculpture… Continue reading How to preserve your Art
A Wood Relief Carving of a Workshop
I purchased a relief carving on Ebay a little while ago. It depicts two people in a workshop sawing a log. There was no further information about the carving, its age, or where it was made. I asked Suzanne Ellison per the recommendation of Christopher Schwarz to see if she perhaps could tell me more… Continue reading A Wood Relief Carving of a Workshop
Carving An Edelweiss Flower
I learned how to carve Edelweiss flowers during the last lockdown and wanted to share with you how to make one. If you feel bored at home right now, please read on. If not, please read on as well. The best thing about this project is that you only need one tool: a knife with… Continue reading Carving An Edelweiss Flower
The No Knead Bread Recipe
I know that this is mainly a woodworking blog but as several people have asked me about this bread recipe it seemed like a good idea to publish it here. The original recipe is from Claire Sutton and I have made it every day for many months now. It is by far the easiest way to make bread that I have tried and the bread tastes amazing.
The IKEA Plane Adjustment Hammer™
Did you know that many pieces of furniture you can buy at IKEA come with a Plane Adjustment Hammer™? If you didn't know this, please read on. The IKEA Plane Adjustment Hammer™ is usually found in the see-through bag of hardware that comes with your piece of furniture. The only thing you have to do… Continue reading The IKEA Plane Adjustment Hammer™
The Anarchist’s Tool Chest: Making The Carving.
I carved a book for the 10-year anniversary of the Anarchist's Tool Chest, published by Lost Art Press. In this blog post I show you how I made the carving. The idea that lies at the origins of this carving goes back many years ago when I had the inspiration to carve a book. Combining… Continue reading The Anarchist’s Tool Chest: Making The Carving.
Chester Cornett: Retracing the methods of his cursive letter carving
One of the more peculiar things about some chairs by Chester Cornett is the cursive letter carving that he sometimes decorated his works with. The big rocking chair he made for president Nixon in 1973 has every back slat covered in cursive writing (Chester’s handwriting - but then carved). Rocking chair Chester Cornett gave to… Continue reading Chester Cornett: Retracing the methods of his cursive letter carving
To not restore a block plane
looks like a pretty nice vintage block plane, right? I have had this block plane for about two years now after I bought it at a flea market (back when there still were flea markets… ). In my workshop I initially avoided it because it needed some work before becoming operational. Yesterday I decided to… Continue reading To not restore a block plane
This will outlive me
There has been much talk about furniture “outliving the maker”. And that chairs currently made could still being around in several hundreds years. A romantic view that has a nice soothing feeling for the egos of the makers currently alive. After all, what is better than feeling that your life was not in vain, your… Continue reading This will outlive me
Inspiration and the limitations of technique
We all start somewhere. We all practice. We all have our reasons to practice. When your technique improves, it helps you achieve your goals. For instance, when you can play scales on the piano without errors, or saw to a saw line without going off to the side, it lays a good basis for successful… Continue reading Inspiration and the limitations of technique
Underhatchet 