Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

About woodworksbyjohn

I'm a retired woodshop teacher. I build one of a kind furniture pieces and custom picture frames. You can see some of my sell and carvings through my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodworksbyJohn?ref=si_shop Contact me about your project -- always up for the challenge of unique work.

New Frames and Cataract Surgery in my Future!

Posted on June 10, 2019

Well, did that title inspire you to read the rest of this blog?  Approaching my seventieth  decade and noticed over the past couple of years that things are becoming more difficult to focus on and see.  Thank God for muscle … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, Carving, custom profile, custom profile, Hand Tool Woodworking, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Beaded Frame & Water Gilding Experiments

Posted on June 7, 2019

Definitely keeping busy, how in the world did I ever find time to work a “regular” job?  Our house has a bigger yard which requires more maintenance than we’d planned on but having a separate studio for Diane and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, custom profile, custom profile, Gilding, Hand Planes, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ebony Dowels & Sharpening Concerns

Posted on May 5, 2019

Like all of us that work with wood and hand tools, maintaining a sharp edge on our tools is critical.  Through the years I’ve gone from oil stones and no jigs to water stones plus using jigs, and now diamond … Continue reading →

Posted in custom profile, Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Picture Frames, Tool Sharpening | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Picture Frames and a Doggie Ramp!

Posted on April 19, 2019

To my way of thinking, a picture frames purpose is to isolate a painting from the rest of the world and subtlety complement the work of the artist.  When I design a frame I observe  the palette and mood of … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, custom profile, custom profile, Floater Frame, Gilding, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Love the Challenge!

Posted on April 9, 2019

In almost every aspect of my life, it’s all about the challenge and figuring out how to overcome it.  Makes no difference, it can be  a woodworking project, ultra-marathon  mountain race, personal goal or whatever — rising to the challenge … Continue reading →

Posted in custom furniture, Design Process, Finger Joint Box, Recycled Wood Furniture, SawStop Sliding Table | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What happened to March?

Posted on April 5, 2019

Wow, just turned the calendar to April and wondering what happened to March?  My wife really dislikes the expression “f *#*t in a whirlwind” but that’s how I feel the month went!  Many things going on between the house, woodwork, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chickering & Sons Piano Box

Posted on March 16, 2019

Quite some time ago, a friend contacted me and asked whether or not I’d be interested in a piano that had been in their family for a long time but was now relegated to the garage.  I had visions of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Cut Dovetails, Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Mesa Arts Center Store, Recycled Wood Furniture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments