Greene and Greene inspired piece

Many years ago I made my wife a jewelry box, that she does not like!  She always wanted something to sit the box on that was simple, so I came up with this Greene and Greene inspired piece.  I am not finished yet, but thought I better post something for my three followers!


I am using some new techniques.  I am using water based, environmentally friendly dyes and finishes -- I have always used oil based products.  First I am mixing the dye with water and applying that on the wood.  This piece will have cherry, walnut and maple woods used in the piece.  The drawer will be curly maple, which you can see the quilt pattern in the picture.  The apron around the top is birds eye maple veneer because I could not find a good pieces of quilted maple locally, so I used a small piece I have been saving for a project. 

I am applying a shellac over the stain, which I am mixing myself with alcohol,  if I would use a drinking alcohol the surface could be used for food preparation, I am using a denatured alcohol.  Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug from Thailand and India, when mixed with alcohol it dries fast and leaves the resin on the wood.  Woodworkers from the 19th centuries and earlier used it mainly for wood protection to be replaced by lacquers and polyurethanes.  It binds to itself very easily and is able to be repaired much easier than its more modern substitutes.  You have to mix it and it takes about a day to dissolve in alcohol, it dries very fast.  On this piece I am going to apply a water based poly over the shellac.  The next piece I am going to start with a base of dye then apply Tung oil or linseed oil and see how that turns out.  You would think I would experiment with pieces of wood.... but that would not be as much fun!  The piece has a floating shelf at the bottom, the picture has the maple a little yellow, it is more of light brown as you see in the picture of the curly maple. 

And, more tools

In 1991, we lived in Dayton Ohio and I learned about a company in Dayton called Shopsmith.  Shopsmith manufactured an all purpose tool that had a drill press, lathe, sander, and table saw.  I went with my Dad and Charlie Felz and pick it up.  That tool allowed me to improve my skills and build a TV cabinet.   We also became the house to come to for the Boy Scout Projects.

Todd and Nicole's Wedding -- Nightstands

I made a chest of drawers for Todd and Nicole's wedding and I do  not have a picture.  Here are a couple of bed stands I made them. 

Toys

I made Tyler and Cole toys for Christmas.  A skid loader, truck and bulldozer. 

In our Den

This was my first veneer project.  I went to class to learn to veneer, so I built this piece with bird's eye maple panels to show off my veneer skills. 

A Wall Unit

Friends of ours, Tom and Marcia, wanted a wall unit to go into a closet.  They had many requirements... and they wanted it in oak.

Lamp stands

Must get done before the wedding.  My neighbor and friend that I co-taught Sunday School, wanted a couple of pieces for a special area in their house. 

Toy Box

In 2009, I made Tyler a toy box.  Now this is kind of an unique toy box. 

Arbor

And, to get real brave I made an arbor for our yard.  It is still up and working.  This was about 2007.  A view in the winter and summer.

Chinese Checker sets

I took a crack at making Chinese Checker sets.  I started by making some for my family, then friends in Brazil.  I then made one and sold on E-bay right before Christmas... so I thought I had a gold mine.  I made a bunch of them and tried to sell them at a local store and on E-bay, the store went out of business and took my checker sets with them.  And, I could not get a bid on E-bay.  Oh well... another bad business venture.  I have a wonderful pattern if anyone wants to buy one... make me an offer and I may make one for you! 

Cherry Curio Cabinet

In 2004, my wife wanted a curio cabinet in a certain spot.  So I built and designed this to please her.  My shop is much cleaner now, I have learned that keeping to shop clean makes tools easier to find.

Many more projects

There were many projects I completed.  I built book cases, refinished chairs, built dining room furniture.... and many more project that I never took pictures.  That is why I started this blog, to get the discipline to record my work.