PurdueDan

As an owner of a small woodworking business this would be a facsinating and helpful read.

Oh yea. Would love it.

This DVD would be great to win.

Tom,

I wholeheartedly agree with your article. Drawing is where ideas begin. I draw in sketch books at least an hour a day. The process actually stimulates ideas. Many times I don't have an end product in mind. A shape or curve or motiff pops out of my pencil onto the page that excites me. I incorporate that into a piece of furniture and viola a new design has been created.

People say they are not creative and can't design a new piece. Hogwash! It takes work. Start sketching.

Fabulous work and great design. Are the curved sides joined at each corner? Did you cut the curves at the top and bottom by hand or with a router template?

This Indiana hoosier would love to watch the DVD.

The perfect Christmas gift for me.

Would love the book. I always enjoy his articles.

Would really enjoy this video.

Nick,

Great piece. It fits well with the show's theme. I particularly like how you added to the temple table design to get this table. This table is more grounded with the additions below the columns. All the details and colors go well together. Your sense of design is exquisite. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Congrats to Michael and Fine Woodworking. Michael's articles and videos for FWW have been superb. He is an extremely inventive and enthusiastic person. I had the fortune to take a two course from him. He made it a point to help each of the sixteen students on problem solving and design individually each day.

Would love to read and own this book.

I try to educate the client on my pricing immediately. I point them to my web site or to a gallery who deals my work. The points Gina made are good ones but most become self-evident after the client sees current and past work. I don't give my clients the hard sell by pointing out all the pluses of a custom made piece. They can't get ikea or target to come to their house and make a piece just the right size to fit between the fireplace and chair and just the right shade of brown to go with the painting on the wall. That is what they are paying for.

Wonderful adaptation of a Stickley design to fit with a client's needs. Quite lovely piece.

Would love to have this video.

I fail to see why a furniture maker would have a booth at a trade show. All trade shows I have attended involved companies that sell large quantities of items or sell to a large demographic. Custom made furniture makers sell small quantities to a small demographic. I believe, it would be a huge waste of time setting up a booth at a home show giving away pins and business cards with my name on them.

Patrick, I bet your head is ready to explode from all the classes you've taken. I was in Michael Fortune's class with you. For me woodworking is a second career. I have taken five weeklong courses, read a lot of books, watched a lot of videos, and made a ton of mistakes along the way. Best of luck to you. Dan

Is there a lot of merchandise being sold on CustomMade? I have seen advertisements for CustomMade through various woodworking venues. Are you marketing to people who buy furniture or just to woodworkers?

Beautiful chair. The lines and angles are gorgeous. The craftsmanship is first rate. I like the way the side rail of the seat extends beyond the seat a few inches into the back leg. You nailed it.

Would love to see more of his work and learn more about the man.

Asa, thanks for your thought provoking blog. I believe The Furniture Society is as relevant and needed today as ever. I am a member and past recepient of an educational grant. It allowed my designs to take a giant leap forward. The Society's annual symposium is well worth the membership fee alone. The Society's annual books are among my favorites on furniture. But the last couple years they have not published one. I am sure money is a factor. Are there are things the could be improved? Sure. As a member it is up to me to jump in and try to improve them.

Dan

MMMM Books.

Congradulations to Chad. Your table is stunning and it looks great in the church. I especially like the twist of using eight legs. The matching arches on the stretchers and the aprons is a nice touch. The thematic way you wove in the cruxifiction is well done.

Dan

I use it everyday for crosscutting. I do have to check it for square before I cut important parts. But for roughly cutting to length its speed can't be beat. Why doesn't someone design one that starts the cut on the side closest to you and then you push the saw away from you to finish the cut.

Thanks Kevin. I added a couple of pictures.

All the aprons are curved. They are mitered at the corners. Making the miters was a challenge because of the curves and none of the corners are ninety degrees. I used a shooting board and shims to fine tune the angles. The edges of the top are curved to follow the aprons.

I forgot to say that the piece was finished today, June 10. It always feels good to finish a large project

How many years did you work professionaly before you thought you were good at what you did?

What has been the most difficult part of your job to master?

Neil,

Do not denegrate the hobbyist. I have known hobbyists that are more than mere copiers but create amazing pieces. The thing that holds them back from becoming great furniture maker/designers on an international scale is the small body of their work.

Dan

Krenov and Maloof's work was undoubtedly influenced by Scandanavian designs, however both were extremely innovative and original.

I do not believe a new furniture style has taken hold and surpassed Danish modern. At some point someone will vocalize a new movement through their work and words that will create a following of craftsmen and users. Is that person creating now?

I like the mid-century modern design. Well done.

I am looking to replace my scroll saw because no one makes the blades I need and they are a huge pain to change. The DeWalt saw looks inviting.

Tom,

Wonderfully written piece with beautiful photos. The combination of hand tools and new technology is nice to see. The final product is stunningly simple and attractive.

Dan

I finally changed my pic. It is a rare one of me working.

Amazing work that spans so many different materials, techniques, and furniture types yet is homogeneous. The work is light and airy but doesn't seem fragile. I enjoyed listening to the inspirations behind the designs.

Sounds like an interesting book.

I could use a new book on woodworking.

Nice work. The shape is very well done. I like the way it crinkled and slumped after it dried.

Beautiful work. The colors are amazing.

Beautiful piece. I am sure it was a challenge to make. I like the idea of repetitive patterns on wood.

I could use another book. So many books so little time.

Dan

I could use another book to read.

Your piece gave me a chuckle and makes me beckon back to my ole school daze.

There is a typo. The doors are held shut by a peg and spring not the drawers.

It is 66" long x 34" tall and 13" deep.

Thanks,
Dan

Very nice piece. I would love to pictures with the doors open.

Scott,

Beautiful piece. I am sure it is more stunning in person. The curved frame is great and the colors are striking.

Kory,

Nice work. I like your design. The sloped sides are a nice touch.

Thanks. I have added more information. I agree there are a lot of possibilities.

Thanks. I made the drawer pulls by making a cove cut with the table saw on both sides of a rectangular block of ebony, a lot of sanding, and then cutting the parts in half. I am sure there is an easier way.