Author Archives: woodworksbyjohn

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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 currently available work, boxes, 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.

Hand Carved Picture Frames — My Process

Posted on July 17, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

Why take the time to blog? That’s a question that I’m asked from time to time and the answer is somewhat complicated!  For starters, as a career teacher I seem to have a natural inclination to share with others.  A … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, Carving, custom profile, custom profile, Picture Frames, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

First Kumiko Box

Posted on July 14, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

This has been a wonderful challenging project that was inspired by blogs I had read by Mike Pekovich of Fine Woodworking Magazine and Greg Merritt of HillBilly Daiku.  To start this journey “down the rabbit hole” as Greg puts it … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Kumiko | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

June Frame Projects

Posted on July 3, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

June has been a busy month as far as frame making goes.  Kind of ironic because I’ve just fallen down that Kumiko rabbit hole and have a project half way started with that.  However, with my philosophy of keeping this … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, custom profile, custom profile, Kumiko, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Custom Picture Frames

Posted on June 24, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

I recently accepted a commission to do a series of  picture frames for a well known artist who also runs an Atelier here in the Phoenix area.  The profile he was after is a contemporary one that is deeper than … Continue reading →

Posted in custom profile, custom profile, Hand Planes, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Journey down the Kumiko “Rabbit Hole” Continues

Posted on June 4, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

  Here’s the first, completed Kumiko design.  This has been a cool process to get into and the teacher in me always likes to share what I’ve discovered during the journey!  In my first blog about this I showed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hand Tool Woodworking, Kumiko | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Kumiko or “down the rabbit hole!”

Posted on May 28, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

The expression of “down the rabbit hole” came from Greg Merritt who writes a blog called HillBilly Daiku.  He’s been doing some Kumiko woodworking and got me intrigued, I laid some of the blame on him and his response was … Continue reading →

Posted in Kumiko, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

10 Board Feet + 5.5 Hours = ??

Posted on May 17, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

How long did it take you to make that?  Many times that’s one of the first things people will ask when they see a custom crafted item.  There’s a somewhat flippant retort I’ve heard: “been working on this all of … Continue reading →

Posted in custom profile, Hand Planes, Hand Tool Woodworking, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hand-cut Finger Joints & Reclaimed Wood

Posted on April 29, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

A recent remodeling job we did here left me with a few pieces of genuine, white-washed, Kentucky horse ranch fence boards!  There’s a lumber recycler here in Phoenix, Porter Barn Wood  that has an amazing collection of reclaimed wood that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Etsy Store, Finger Joint, Finger Joint Box, Sliding Lid Box, Tutorial | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christine Profile Picture Frames Take Two!

Posted on April 19, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

Those of you that follow me may recall that back in October I had an order for 15 frames from a local artist.  These were 4″ x 6″, finished with black and about 4″ wide.  She contacted me recently and … Continue reading →

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Artists’ Taboret Complete

Posted on April 8, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

For those of us that have a passion for creating art, the work space is our happy place.  Rarely have I talked with someone who hasn’t lamented that they either need a larger space or a more efficient one.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, Artist Furniture, custom furniture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment