THE IDES OF MAY

Re: is pandemic era recent?

Henry (Raleigh NC)

hmmm, since no one else has started i will I guess.

Define recent?! With the US being in hopeful the closing stages of this pandenmic, I will use that as a definition - and the reason for this piece.

Created as a desk for the sudden 'work from home' crowd, this piece was made entirely from reclaimed base board trim (mahogany) from a law office. Legs were glued up to create thicker pieces. Working around nail holes created just a bit more challenge.

WC provided design input on the pencil drawer: I wanted a full cross piece to tie the two front legs together, get a drawer in there, and to still be able to scoot up an armed office chair close enough to work. It worked.

The stretchers each have a 'carved' element - a first for me. Inspired by the yin/yang 'logo' as well as two cupped hands, I drew this out - carved a test piece, and then just went with it. Took a lot more time than I expected to get the carvings sanded reasonably, but I think the these 'make' the piece.

Henry

Two 2020 projects

Lee Schierer in McKean, PA

I made two pieces of furniture during the 2020 limit your outside contacts period. My inspiration for the second project came from seeing all the other projects members were talking about.

The first was to complete our home office/ family room, using some hickory I purchased over 25 years earlier. The first pieces were a desk, a book shelf and a lateral filing cabinet. The final piece was a two door storage cabinet for storing CD's, boxes of slides, and games.

The second item was a night stand, also out of hickory to match our 30 year old bedroom set. The night stand was designed to hold a CPAP machine, which had been prescribed during the covid period, but not related to any covid illness. It was designed with the intent to make best use of the remaining short lengths of hickory I had on hand.

Lee

Fireplace surround

Pat Evans

On a blank wall in her new house, my niece wanted a fireplace. No practical way to add a real fireplace, so she bought an electric "fake" fireplace and asked me to build a surround and mantle for it.

My brother and I built this in my shop in NC and trucked it to Virginia to install. The 3 sections of perforated decorative panel are in doors, behind which are the cable box, DVR, etc. Remote controls work through the panels. The mantle is basically a torsion box with oak plank skin. The fun part is there are no visible fasteners or hardware.

I don't have any experience building cabinets so I stole ideas from pictures and descriptions of projects on WC. Also used Bill Tindal's advice on staining the mantle.

It looks built-in, but in fact could be relocated if she moves. We would only have to patch a few screw holes in the sheetrock.

Re: THE IDES OF MAY

Hank Knight

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2jMQv8H][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2jMQv8H]51A472C0-6732-427B-9CE4-ACB3AF5AAE15[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/158680038@N03/]Hank Knight[/url], on Flickr

This desk has been my long-term project. My enthusiasm for it swells and ebbs. For the last few months it has been at a low ebb, but I'm getting the old enthusiasm back. Since this photo was taken, I have completed cock beading the drawers and am now working on the fall front with inlay to match the drawers.When the front is completed the remaining task will be the gallery, which should prove a complex build, but fun. I haven't completely settled on the design for the gallery, but I have some good ideas. I plan to include two hidden electrical outlets for my laptop charging, etc., and a light. And finishing, of course. I plan to stain it with Bill Tindall's walnut stain recipe, and finish with Waterlox

My inspiration for this piece goes back to my college days. My landlady's house was filled with exquisite American antique furniture she had collected over 70 odd years. One piece was a magnificent walnut slant top desk that had belonged to her grandfather when he was President of the college I attended. I always admired it and decided to build my own. I haven't had access to her desk since I graduated in 1970, so I did the best I could to recreate it from memory.

Re: THE IDES OF MAY

Paul Leuba

That’s beautiful work, Hank.

Paul in Hunt Valley, MD

Re: Thanks, Paul!

:

Wow!  Great piece and story.

Re: "Pilgrim Reading"

John Jardin

wonderful story and a very nice piece.

Re: THE IDES OF MAY

jcousins

last year i shared a gallery with a photo-realistic painter - and rather than showing furniture with marquetry i focused on making 2 dimensional wall hangings - to match the realistic style. here are 2 of pieces that were hung. and also spent some time learning japanese kumiko.

jerry

Re: THE IDES OF MAY

John Jardin

Outstanding, thanks for showing.

Re: THE IDES OF MAY

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In New Jersey

Reliquary jar in spalted red maple with dogwood and ebony top, 16" tall

Outstanding

Re: "Pilgrim Reading"

Howard in Toronto

That is fabulous!

Great story.

Your nephew is a great artist - beautiful work on your part!

Thanks for these.