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.

Artist Taboret: Carcass and Drawers

Posted on April 2, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

Many artists use some sort of taboret to organize their work area and equipment.  Having a taboret placed next to the easel gives them an area for their palette, brushes, and turpentine.  It seems that most of the fine artists I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, Artist Furniture | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Gilded Floater Frame in Progress

Posted on March 21, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

I’m just getting started on a frame for a new client who was referred to me by a previous client of mine.  How’s that saying go: “referrals are your best form of advertising?”  That’s certainly true and I always appreciate … Continue reading →

Posted in Hybrid Woodworking, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Celtic Clover Study

Posted on March 19, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

Celtic designs seem to hold a fascination for many of us, myself included!  There’s just something mesmerizing about how the lines go under, over, and around in an endless loop with no apparent starting or ending point.  Much like an … Continue reading →

Posted in Carving, Hand Tool Woodworking | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mesa Art Center Co-Op

Posted on March 7, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

I am really happy to say that I am now officially a member of the artists co-op of the Mesa Arts Center.  I’ve mentioned (lamented?) several times over the past few months that the jurying in process was underway but … Continue reading →

Posted in Mesa Arts Center Store | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

SawStops Sliding Table to the Rescue!

Posted on February 6, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

About three years ago I replaced my Jet tablesaw with SawStops Professional cabinet saw and opted for the sliding table.  This meant changing some of the ways I approach using the tablesaw but for the most part I’ve really liked … Continue reading →

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OSMO Polyx Oil: Is this my new go-to finish?

Posted on February 1, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

Since the mid 1960’s I’ve been using Watco Danish Oil for finishing almost everything.  I built a house in 1980 and all of the cabinetry was finished with that, followed by a 3 part mixture of boiled linseed oil, polyurethane, … Continue reading →

Posted in custom furniture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Building a Bookcase; My Approach

Posted on January 24, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

My current furniture project is a small bookcase made of Walnut.  I talked about my design approach and the requirements for it in my last blog.  While working away in the solitude of the shop I started thinking about why … Continue reading →

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Walnut Bookcase

Posted on January 18, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

I’ve recently begun work on a solid Walnut bookcase for a client.  It will be located at the top of the stairs in their home and needs to be sturdy enough to hold various large and heavy books they own. … Continue reading →

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

Lovely Vanessa Frame

Posted on January 6, 2018 by woodworksbyjohn

For this frame I decided to use a gilding technique where planed wood is directly oil gilded without the wood being sealed.  I wrote an article about this and was honored to have it published in the August 2011 issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, Floater Frame, Gilding, Hand Tool Woodworking, Picture Frames | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Design & Carving Procedure for Custom Frame

Posted on December 12, 2017 by woodworksbyjohn

In a recent blog I talked about my process for getting a design onto a picture frame for carving.  Whenever I share the methods I’ve come up with there are two reactions I get.  First of all it’s a thank … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist, Carving, Hand Tool Woodworking, Picture Frames, Tutorial, YouTubeVideo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments