The Craft
Time, patience and a trained eye are some of the tools of the craftsman, along with detail and hard work.
Making the cane shaft for an eagle cane that will be presented to a vet returning from our Middle East engagements who has lost a leg most likely from an IED.
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"They were in many ways exactly like us. They started off as beginners or apprentices, worked into good chairmkers, then developed themselves, in some cases, into master Windsor chairmakers. About a year ago I started to experiment with organizing the measurement data into an array or database. I believe that Mirosoft Excel and Access software packages underneath operate on the same architectural basis with one being better suited for certain data functions than the other. Excel seems to be better at numerical number crunching and Access to organizing the data so it can be internally linked in relationships. But both can do the other function sometimes with difficulty. Having experience in both I liked the visual feedback that Excel allows so I can easily large numbers of measurements without having to take the time to view the data tables located down a level or two in the program. I could more easily experiment with calculations obtain quick feedback and then try other approaches. I used a variety of simple statistical functions to apply to the numerous common details obtained from several other same style Windsor chairs. Initially I focused on sack-backs and the bow-back armchairs. I excited to say that the model is working. As time permits I am continuing to refine, challenge the results and expand its reach. All this occurred while I was going from a list of 50 chairs that were measured to a hundred."
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The true nature of an accomplished craftsman is, not only in the magnificence of what is created, but the ability to pass on those skills to the next generation.
It’s been said, “Imitation is the best form of flattery.” If that’s the case, Herb Lapp must be extremely satisfied by the works created by his grandson.
Pen turning is not expensive and yet, a very rewarding.
Click on the following link to learn more about it.
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Carving a New Adventure
9469 This past weekend I completed a decoy carving class with professional carver, Rich Smoker ( http://www.richsmoker.com/) who lives near Chrisfield, MD. The class was given near St. Micheal's carving an antique style pin tail duck using the style of A. J. Crowell (1862-1951) from the Cape Cod, MA area. I carved him (a male-drake) from a roughed out block of wood, 1 for the head & the other for the body. This is my real first paint work that turned out quite well. This project was completed in a class conducted by Richard Smoker a nationally known Eastern Shore master decoy carver. Crowell carved in this style about 1910 that recently sold for over $800,000.
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Image 4471 is a male (drake) canvas back duck done in a class conducted by professional carver Linda Murphy.
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8968 is a recently carved half sized blue heron done in another Murphy class.
