Shaker woodenware, birdseye maple
comments (3) April 1st, 2009 in Reader's Gallery
Charles Griffith, member
14 users recommend
No. 9 divided tray
Photo: Self
For seasonal stability, tops of larger boxes (nos. 5 and 6) and tray bottoms are made of birdseye veneered plywood. Smaller box tops and tray divider are solid birdseye. Oval sides are of non-figured maple. On the rectangular tray, corners are angled at 11 degrees and joined by through dovetails with miter at top. All are colored using water-based aniline dye, then finished with a mixture of tung oil, boiled linseed oik and varnish. Materials for oval boxes came from John Wilson in Charlotte, Michigan. He deserves enormous credit for helping to keep this craft alive.
posted in: Reader's Gallery, shaker, accessory, maple
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Comments (3)
I'm sorry for the mistaken identity - I shall have to dig up the card to find who I dealt with at the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Ft Wayne IN - 3rd weekend in Sept each year - it's a big event that draws a lot of traditional craft - the two biggest days of my year - I have an orchard and do a bit of wood-butchery to stave off boredom (smile) http://finewoodworking.taunton.com/item/9353/antique-of-the-future
I do remember the shaker box fellow was from Michigan and had a Michigan source for the spectacular wood he used for his line of Shaker boxes/trays - it was his first year there - I was happy to see him as the festival has suffered the loss of several superior craftsmen/women recently from age/health related issues - I wish I were seeing more young people stepping up -
anyway, best of luck to you, keep up the good work -
D
Posted: 11:32 pm on April 4th
I must have a clone out there because I haven't been to the J Appleseed event. Just Googled "j appleseed." Is it the J Appleseed Society in New Jersey? When and where is their event? The web site didn't have much information.
As for materials, the dramatic birdseye maple in the divided tray came from John Wilson in Charlotte, MI. He normally sells blanks for box tops and bottoms, but the quality of his materials is really superior, so I occasionally ask him for pieces dimensioned for other uses. He always obliges.
I haven't made many boxes lately. Maybe I'll get to it and see you at J Appleseed this year. Thanks for your note.
Best regards,
Chuck
Posted: 11:32 am on April 4th
Hi Chuck -
I believe we met at J Appleseed last year - had a nice chat, I was set up down the hill from you with the apples - I bought a couple of your pieces - one box for a gift and a tray similar to the photo we use everyday -
beautiful material, well crafted -
will you be returning in 2009? -
keep up the good work!
D
Posted: 11:25 pm on April 3rd
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