masterpiece

     A MASTERPIECE!...Inspires thoughts of a beautiful creation doesn't it? Maybe a painting, or a poem or even to some extant a fine meal. Well honestly any or all of these may be true, but how many can one man (or woman) make in their lifetime? 5? 10? dozens? hundreds? The answer contrary to most beliefs today is just 1.

   You see there is no problem with my answer...or even with the question. The problem is with the proclamation: Masterpiece. A masterpiece is actually never made by a master believe it or not. A masterpiece is made by someone attempting to be proclaimed a master. Think of it as the final test of a tradesmen.

     In the old-world way of teaching there was no (or very few) 'centers of higher learning' available to the masses, where one could go to class and study to earn a 'masters degree'. The way it was done is you were sold. That's right sold. As in indentured servant. A recognized master craftsman would 'buy' you from your family at about age 7, give or take. You were then kept by this master for an average of 20 yrs while he taught you his trade. At about the 19yr mark this master was expected to give you the materials (and to have given/taught you to make you own personal tools along the way in your training)  to build YOUR MASTERPIECE. When you were done with this piece it was presented to your master. Who then judged it to either be the work of a master , or not. This was a make or break test - pass or fail. So you pulled out all the stops, used all the tricks and techniques you knew, spent all the extra time you could. Because if you passed this test you would be recognized as a 'wandering master' able to build your own business in just 4yrs time, but if you failed this test - you would never be a master. You could not 'retake' this test, there were and are no 'do-overs'. So even though after this point you may hold the title 'master', because of the time and tears involved you probably never made a piece of this magnitude again. Quite honestly , you never again have a need. By the time you are again producing pieces of this stature and grandeur- you have apprentices of your own to help. So you see, a masterpiece is not merely a piece made by a master but instead a piece made by someone begging to be recognized as a master...

Wood Work Wednesdays

. . And This Just Sold

Etsy.com

Figured I'd work both in with one shot tonight.  We just sold one of these adorable Doll Beds (also bought as a Dog Bed) on Etsy! 

Sturdy for child's play and built to last to pass on to generations!

It's solid cherry wood with a cherry veneer deck.  And we have more!  Just e-mail to ask or click the image to heck out our Etsy site!

Happy New Year

Breezewood Village Craft Fair.

Breezewood Village Craft Fair. It is a senior center but the event is open and free to the public.

It will be on Friday, December 10th starting at 2pm. It will end at 3 or 4 depending on the turn out.

16000 Grayville Drive #2, La Mirada, CA 90638.

Small craft fair with multiple vendors. I know there will be hand-made jewelry, homemade candy and scrapbooking

Some of my woodworking will be there as well.  I'm sending some of the smaller more portable items like doll beds, step stools and canes.

If you are local stop by and see us.

Photo Update: Master's Project

I've been so busy taking out that Olive Tree and working on it, I'm a bit behind on posting my progress.  These shots are from much earlier in the year. 



The reason the Drafting Table was made was so that I could use it as a place to design the Master's Chest.

Here it is in use: 

You'll notice there is a wooden block at the top that I've added since I last took a picture of the drafting table.  This is a place to keep my drafting tools so that they are easy to grab as I need them. 

Be A Bob

Years ago when I was sitting in math class doing a whole lot of nothing my teacher had a poster on the wall that I remember clearly :

     Be A Lert , the world needs more Lerts

     I always thought it was funny and I have never forgotten it.

     Bob is my friend who graciously gave me the olive tree in his back yard that is supplying most of the lumber for my master's project. He also supplied the shovels, pick , rakes, tow chain, chainsaw (I have since bought my own) etc.Until he went in for eye surgery this 75yo man worked out there helping me dig, trim and so on.

     Now let me tell you, I'm 42 and have NO PROBLEM saying I'll work a 20-something guy into the dirt. But i gotta say this 75yo man with his 1920's work ethic put me to shame and outworked me till the day before surgery. He also managed to teach me a lot along the way. He did all this for nothing. It benefited him nothing. He is just that good of a guy.

     Moral?...while the world really does need more Lerts....Be a BOB, the world will never have enough

Opinions Needed

OK PEOPLE LISTEN UP!
I need your help / opinions.

I have decided to do a video about hand-tools: their proper use, care & restoration.

     So I need input...what tools, techniques do YOU think should be taught?  This is intended to pass old knowledge on to new beginners so most of you will learn little from it but your knowledge may be used & passed on. 

Things such as bending a ripsaw tip through its own handle to test the spring temper quality of the blade...."snapping" the wrist at the end of a hammer blow to achieve more power with less effort & how to restore an old hand-plane to new condition to be the basis of the videos.

SO PLEASE send in your recommendations and questions alike. They both are useful in moving towards making a video of this nature.

Thanks in advance :)
                           Bareftoot