a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
WHY BUY CUSTOM MADE?
We understand you are unique. So why should you have the same furniture as your friends and neighbors? You want your home to be a reflection of who you are. Your typical furniture store carries what they think the Average person wants. Let your furniture say so much more than “I’m Average”.
As we mostly build custom work, there is no mass manufacturing. When you call to discuss the design of the furniture you've always wanted, you are talking directly to the skilled artisan who will build it. Your personal sense of style goes into making a piece you will value for years. We build with the future in mind. We want you to be able to hand down this unique piece to future generations.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Earth Day: Being Green
Being Green shouldn't just be for 1 day of the year. Yes, it's Earth Day, but let's talk about some sound practices that can make a difference all year long.
In the spirit of that I'm recycling a previous post about how we are "Green" at our shop:
In the spirit of that I'm recycling a previous post about how we are "Green" at our shop:
Most shops buy cups to mix stain in….I save my soda cans, cut off the bottom and have a cup. After I’m done using it, I send it to the recycling plant.
Most shops buy bottles to properly store stains after mixing them.
Did you know that soda bottles (the plastic ones) are resistant to acetone, lacquer, thinner and basically every other chemical used in the common wood shop? I've known this for years and use them all to store these items. This saves money for the shop and reuses (recycles) these ‘throw away’ products giving them a second life before I send them to the recycling plant. I pay for them once and use them twice.
Lumber. I have a ‘firewood pile’ in the shop. It’s all the scraps from projects worked on. I even draw from it all the time in the shop if I need a small piece for a moulding , test piece, peg or dowel etc, etc. Then, as a last use, when the pile gets too big I take it out camping with me and…firewood it is (cherry makes some fine tasting marshmallows btw). I’m currently using the sawdust in the shop to store my olive tree slabs to dry them for my Master’s Project. Said and done right now only about 3% of all lumber coming into the shop ends up in a landfill. Judging from the 17 other woodshops outside my door, other shops seem to average about 10-15%.
Rags come from friends, neighbors and old work clothes. I haven’t bought a rag in the entire history of my shop.
Glass/aluminum are used whenever and wherever I can. 10yrs ago I bought aluminum bottles for my water out camping (the kind you can see in every environmentally friendly hand today)….all my friends said I was crazy and bought lexan bottles. Mine are all still in use and all of theirs are now in landfills.
GLASS! The miracle product! It needs no recycling! Hey people…it’s a ROCK it started a ROCK and it’s still a ROCK and it will return to being a ROCK when humans are all dead and gone from this planet! There is even an entire beach in northern California, known for its beauty, that’s totally made of glass shards due to a now defunct glass factory located nearby. It’s all been rounded by the sea and re-deposited on the beach. And study after study cannot find any detrimental effects to the environment…it’s a ROCK people!
Am I an eco nut?...not on your life. However common sense and a general care of where and how I live goes a long way towards being green.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Win a Handmade Lady Bug Bowling Game!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Can't wait to win it?
You can buy your own now: Lady Bug Bowling Set
These adorable little lady bugs are brightly hand painted.
Their wide eyes seem to know the ball is coming for them!
We happened upon our friendly wood sprites bowling with some of the loose items in our shop. I guess after a busy day of mischief , even these wee folk like to take a moment for some …well more fun. We noticed they had collected up some ladybugs to play with as well. So when they weren't looking we hand-painted these wooden pegs to look like lady bugs and freed the real ones. The Sprites happily played with these as they don't try to escape.Now you can attract your own Wood Sprites with these adorable Lady Bugs to bring your home good luck and to keep the real ladybugs safe. Just don't knock on wood or you'll scare the Sprites away!
Play anywhere - or keep these cute guys on display to show your whimsical side.
Fun to play with - easy to set up again and again anywhere there is a flat surface.
Each wooden bowling pin (or skittle) measures approximately 3" and this set comes with a hand-dyed red wooden ball.
Items may vary slightly as they are all hand-painted. All are finished with a semi-gloss to protect the paint of the ladybugs from that mean ball.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Saturday, April 27th at Crafted at the Port of LA!
We'll be at this Great Event.
This is a one day festival taking place at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles in the beautiful ocean side San Pedro. Live music and DJ’s playing a wide variety of music. Southern California handmade artisan vendors, artist, and live art. Food trucks to satisfy your appetite. Give aways and free kids activities! Support Local Artist!!! Buy Handmade!!! Items being sold by vendors must fit in one of the following categories: Art, Handmade, Vintage, or Artisanal Food.
CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles is a new concept for Southern California; a large-scale permanent craft marketplace.
MUSIC LINE UP:
DJ Frank FoReal
Marie Clare Halpin
www.facebook.com/
Triple Dog Dare U
www.facebook.com/
.... More to be Announced
ACTIVITIES:
Hula Hoop Area
www.facebook.com/Hoopfreak
www.hoopfreak.com
Interactive Art Exhibit
By Super Peat Art
www.superpeatart.com
Face Painting
Free Give-Aways
Provided by ETSY
www.etsy.com
Free Kids Activities
Provided by SoCal Etsy Guild
www.facebook.com/
FOOD VENDORS:
Vella Pizza
https://www.facebook.com/
Gravy Train
http://
Monday, April 8, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Barefoot Made Woodworking Tools
Sometimes when you've got to have the right tool...you've got to make it yourself!
The handles are all my own work. The darker, richer woods are Jatoba. The lighter, creamy flecked wood is Fiddle back Maple.
I even work on the blades as well.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Come see us and you can win!
Check us out at this event! Take a picture of yourself at our table and post on Facebook and you could win a Barefoot Woodworker T-Shirt and/or a Tic Tac Toe Game!*
*For every 5 people who post we'll give away 1 T-shirt.
*For ever 10 people who post we'll give away a Tic Tac Toe game.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Barefoot at Knott's Merry Farm!
Come check out Knott's Merry Farm!
The red arrow marks the location of our Booth. We open Thanksgiving Day and will be there until Christmas Eve!
Monday - Thursday the Christmas Crafts Village is free
Friday - Sunday it's included with admission.
Remember Military, Police and Firemen get themselves and 1 guest in free during this time...and there is also a Toys for Tots promotion going on!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
See us at Knott's Christmas Crafts Village!
From November 21st through Christmas Eve, Knott Berry Farm’s 1880s Ghost Town is transformed into Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village.
This adorable village, invites mall-weary guests to explore one-of-a-kind treasures created by more than 100 artisans in a Victorian holiday wonderland of strolling carolers, musical groups, community choirs and lavish holiday decorations.
And we'll be one of those great 100 artisans bringing our handmade wares to the holiday fun! Come on down and support local businesses!!
Adding to the unique Village atmosphere are live performances of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and O. Henry’s “A Gift of the Magi” in the Bird Cage Theatre.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Civil Service Discounts!
Did you know that the Barefoot Woodworker is a War Veteran?
So, to show our thanks to all of those who serve our country in various ways we offer this discount year round. (Not just when the sentiment is popular)
Who Qualifies:
Police Officers Military (active and Active Retired)
Firemen
City, State, Federal Officials
Public School Teachers
and anyone else who receives a Govt. Paycheck. . .
Here are some examples of who can qualify:
I've known school teachers cut by gang members (Purple Heart).
I currently know a Police Officer awarded the Medal of Valor (Civilian Medal of Honor).
Some other civilian equivalents would be: Humanitarian of the Year, American Red Cross or Woman of the Year, Chamber of Commerce.
I have a cousin who has been awarded 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Silver Stars, is retired from the U.S. Army and currently working as a State Park Ranger. If he ever comes in I’ll have to pay him to build his project!
So, to show our thanks to all of those who serve our country in various ways we offer this discount year round. (Not just when the sentiment is popular)
- All Active (and Active Retired) civil servants receive a 5% discount!
- Additional 5% for each of the following medals (or their civilian equivalent):
Bronze Star • Silver Star • Purple Heart
- Additional 10% for: • Medal of Honor (or civilian equivalent)
ALL DISCOUNTS ARE CUMULATIVE!
Police Officers Military (active and Active Retired)
Firemen
City, State, Federal Officials
Public School Teachers
and anyone else who receives a Govt. Paycheck. . .
Here are some examples of who can qualify:
I've known school teachers cut by gang members (Purple Heart).
I currently know a Police Officer awarded the Medal of Valor (Civilian Medal of Honor).
Some other civilian equivalents would be: Humanitarian of the Year, American Red Cross or Woman of the Year, Chamber of Commerce.
I have a cousin who has been awarded 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Silver Stars, is retired from the U.S. Army and currently working as a State Park Ranger. If he ever comes in I’ll have to pay him to build his project!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Custom Requirements for a Table and Buffet
The table
shown here is
made of solid birch.
There is
no plywood or particle board found
here.
Two
removable (grain-matched) leaves were made for this table, allowing it to be
either 7, 8 or 9 feet long.
An Interesting
Requirement!
The client
required it be sturdy enough to hold two dancing 200lb
people on it. Now that’s
custom! When the
customer arrived to pick this piece up, I had put the two
leaves in and was sitting in the center of the 9’ table.
(That’s
180lbs on the weakest point of the table!).
The matching solid birch
buffet also had some interesting requirements:
“It needs
to be this tall”
(customer held hand
parallel to floor and I measured from there).
“It needs
to be this long”
(customer held arms
outstretched and I measured from there),
If you
look closely at the pictures, you’ll see the top is not perfectly flat.
It was
hand-planed. Sunday, October 7, 2012
A Watch Box in Progress
This box is seemingly very simple. However to assemble it took 9 clamps, 6 hands, 2 glue bottles and 54 dowels all working together in unison for 15 mins straight.
As you can see from the picture, I had to finish the inside of the box before I could assemble it, though the outside can't be finished until everything else is done. This stage would have come much sooner if the level of detail needed for this was just a little less and it hadn't caused a kickback on the saw resulting in a withdrawal from work for several weeks.
I've also included a close up of one of the interesting joints. This joint is not only very attractive but also very intricate requiring special tooling and exceptional consideration. It's my own modern variant on a Chinese joint, that I know dates back at least 1200 years, but is unknown in Western construction.
As you can see from the picture, I had to finish the inside of the box before I could assemble it, though the outside can't be finished until everything else is done. This stage would have come much sooner if the level of detail needed for this was just a little less and it hadn't caused a kickback on the saw resulting in a withdrawal from work for several weeks.
I've also included a close up of one of the interesting joints. This joint is not only very attractive but also very intricate requiring special tooling and exceptional consideration. It's my own modern variant on a Chinese joint, that I know dates back at least 1200 years, but is unknown in Western construction.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Remember who your friends are
For those of you who have followed my blog you know who BOB is.
He is the guy who comes in the shop and helps out with decades of experience as a math professor and a couple decades beyond that as an all around good helper and handyman. He is also the guy who gave me my tree to work on my masters project. He has been a very good friend and one I am indebted to.
With that said, I'm repaying debts. :) Jan, Bobs wife isn't getting around as well anymore and needed a ramp on the back of the house. So, I made a materials list, Bob went shopping and I came over the next day.
8 hours and 2 pulled hamstrings later: Jan had a new ramp on the back of the house.
She had a new ramp that allows her to get into and out of the house on her own. Giving her back the freedom she was missing.
After giving Jan back some freedom and crippling myself for three days, do I feel I'm 'even' with Bob?...not on your life!
Beyond anything and everything Bob has done for me or I have done for him , or we will do for each other. - It doesn't matter. We are friends and friends help each other, and if you cant rely on your friends to be there for you like this ... maybe you should find better friends.
Start by Being A Bob.
He is the guy who comes in the shop and helps out with decades of experience as a math professor and a couple decades beyond that as an all around good helper and handyman. He is also the guy who gave me my tree to work on my masters project. He has been a very good friend and one I am indebted to.
With that said, I'm repaying debts. :) Jan, Bobs wife isn't getting around as well anymore and needed a ramp on the back of the house. So, I made a materials list, Bob went shopping and I came over the next day.
8 hours and 2 pulled hamstrings later: Jan had a new ramp on the back of the house.
She had a new ramp that allows her to get into and out of the house on her own. Giving her back the freedom she was missing.
After giving Jan back some freedom and crippling myself for three days, do I feel I'm 'even' with Bob?...not on your life!
Beyond anything and everything Bob has done for me or I have done for him , or we will do for each other. - It doesn't matter. We are friends and friends help each other, and if you cant rely on your friends to be there for you like this ... maybe you should find better friends.
Start by Being A Bob.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Heart-Shaped Musical Ring Box - Completed
and finally the reveal!!!
The project: a custom jewelry box to present a custom wedding ring!
Turned and carved out of Musical Grade Fiddleback Maple, hand rubbed with a white pearlesence, mechanically designed and created by me, and hand painted blue (interior) with a custom made glass post to hold the ring. The Zip a Dee Do Dah music you are hearing in the beginning is the actual unaltered live sound.
Custom design and custom made!
Learn more about the process here: http://barefootwoodworker.blogspot.com/search/label/heart-shaped%20music%20box
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Catching up with the Heart Shaped Box
Well, as this was a surprise..we've been careful to keep much of it off of the internet.
The piece is now complete and has been picked up. So it's time to share!
So I'll go ahead and start adding the pictures now so everyone can see some of the process that went into this amazing piece.
The cylinders were turned on the lathe into heart shapes and then split back open. Then they were first roughly carved out to remove more material before being carved smooth by hand.
The base of this is where all the mechanical magic happened. Lots of work went into that very small space. ..and I won't be showing all of that publicly. But you can see it getting dry rubbed with a pearlescent powder before it gets a finish. More to follow!
The piece is now complete and has been picked up. So it's time to share!
So I'll go ahead and start adding the pictures now so everyone can see some of the process that went into this amazing piece.
The cylinders were turned on the lathe into heart shapes and then split back open. Then they were first roughly carved out to remove more material before being carved smooth by hand.
The base of this is where all the mechanical magic happened. Lots of work went into that very small space. ..and I won't be showing all of that publicly. But you can see it getting dry rubbed with a pearlescent powder before it gets a finish. More to follow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
