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Showing posts with label CC Fine Furniture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CC Fine Furniture. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
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.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
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 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.
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
Monday, August 6, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Winning at the OC Fair Woodworking competition!
As we told you recently, The Barefoot Woodworker (Randy Mason) entered one of the beautiful Manzanita Jewelry Boxes. Now for those who aren't local and part of the woodworking community, the woodworking competition is actually quite a prestigious one. They open it up to everyone in the state of California and it has grown to be something that draws some of the best woodworkers to compete. Barefoot was honored to be juried into the competition this year for his first attempt at an entry.
And we are so excited to report that, this past Thursday, this jewelry box was awarded a 2nd place Industry Award from Woodworker West magazine.
Congratulations to our very own Barefoot Woodworker on his well deserved win at the Orange County Fair. We loved this jewelry box and we're ecstatic to hear that so many others did too!
A note from the winner himself: "While this compeitition made me very nervous (largest I've ever entered), and the results made me proud, I would say the biggest prize I won was being able to talk with the judges and learn from them their take on my work. Hopefully next year I'll be able to learn from it and improve upon it. Fingers crossed" - Barefoot
And we are so excited to report that, this past Thursday, this jewelry box was awarded a 2nd place Industry Award from Woodworker West magazine.
Congratulations to our very own Barefoot Woodworker on his well deserved win at the Orange County Fair. We loved this jewelry box and we're ecstatic to hear that so many others did too!
A note from the winner himself: "While this compeitition made me very nervous (largest I've ever entered), and the results made me proud, I would say the biggest prize I won was being able to talk with the judges and learn from them their take on my work. Hopefully next year I'll be able to learn from it and improve upon it. Fingers crossed" - BarefootThursday, July 5, 2012
The Other Side to the Business
We mostly build custom furniture. Often that is big heavy wood items. It means the shop is full of heavy dirty machinery. We'll have colleagues and vendors stop by and generally they are male. It's not uncommon for the Barefoot Woodworker to call the shop a "Man Cave". So as the female half of the business, it's sometimes a bit difficult to find my place in the testosterone haze.
But recently I found a few crafty projects I wanted done. We discussed the idea of expanding what we offer at the local craft fairs. I figured he could make me a few things and I'd stick to taking the pictures and working on selling them. But when I approached Barefoot with the idea, he saw an opportunity for me to come in and get some practice on the machines. He also saw an opportunity for him to get even and take some pictures of me working in the shop. So in the interest of fairness (which is more because he insisted) here are a few shots of me working on a couple sets of the Mushroom Bowling pins. Available soon!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Dog Bed - I stand behind (or on) the strength of my work
The dog beds are finished.
After the last step we showed of using square pegs in round holes, we put a finish on them.
They are looking really good and have a rich tone to the color.And you'll notice I stand behind their strength. Well, more like I stand ON in this case!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Square Pegs into Round Holes
Nature VS.
nurture?....That's the time old question isn't it? Well I believe BOTH...but
not in the traditional manor.
I believe that a normal healthy mind is capable of ALL things at
conception....natures bounty if you will.
Then we nurture it into oblivion! The only thing that stops this is the individuals personal desires.
Then we nurture it into oblivion! The only thing that stops this is the individuals personal desires.
Case in point:
When I was in preschool, at about 4yrs old, I was told it wasn't possible to put the square peg in the round hole in that little toy with all the shapes (shape sorter?) - I STRONGLY DISAGREED - I got in trouble with the teacher.... In those days they were made of wood LOL (yeah I'm old....so are most are you so give me a break LOL). Then at recess they gave me the shape sorter...and a small ball peen hammer (metal) I spent all recess diligently working with small taps and put the square peg into the round hole. I was VERY proud of myself! I had proven my point! Again, I got into trouble....with the teacher, principal and MOM (she had to pay for it LOL).
When I was in preschool, at about 4yrs old, I was told it wasn't possible to put the square peg in the round hole in that little toy with all the shapes (shape sorter?) - I STRONGLY DISAGREED - I got in trouble with the teacher.... In those days they were made of wood LOL (yeah I'm old....so are most are you so give me a break LOL). Then at recess they gave me the shape sorter...and a small ball peen hammer (metal) I spent all recess diligently working with small taps and put the square peg into the round hole. I was VERY proud of myself! I had proven my point! Again, I got into trouble....with the teacher, principal and MOM (she had to pay for it LOL).
I don't believe anything is impossible. -I- may not be able to do it. -You- may not be able to do it., but somewhere at some point in time someone was able, can now or will be able to do it simple because someone said "YOU CAN'T".
Today almost 40yrs later I've almost perfected putting square pegs into round holes as represented in my furniture produced. My mother seemed disappointed when I told her about it yrs ago....I guess my nature was stronger than my surrounding nurture.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
What I'm Working On...
I had a request for 2 dog beds. Here's the dog bed she saw that made her ask for 2 for her larger, heavier dogs.
But she wanted a style more in keeping with her current bedroom furniture.
Something more like this:
Here are some shots of the progress made on this so far....
Monday, June 4, 2012
Vote for us!
We need your help.
Help us receive 250 votes on the Mission: Small Business℠ page to get closer to qualifying for a $250,000 Grant. Go to www.missionsmallbusiness.com
After clicking “Log in and Support” on the home page, look for our business, CUSTOM CLASSICS, (it's what the CC stands for) and vote for us!
Please forward to anyone and everyone.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
An important Refurbish job!
We've changed our look again! Be sure to check out the new look of our Website!
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