Learn Fine Crafts

Like the strokes of a great painter, handmade Dovetail Joinery has been the signature of craftsmanship throughout  history. Dovetail joinery has been revered for its strength and beauty and is one of the things that point to true handmade furniture. Dovetail Joints are so varied and personal they are often used to distinguish periods of furniture and can in some instances be used to help determine the maker.

Today’s woodworking craftsmen often use dovetail jigs to create these same joints with precision and speed. While they are strong and beautiful, the result is less personal and lacks the small inconsistencies that point to a true handmade look and feel.

There are many types of dovetail joinery, but one of the most beautiful and interesting is the Double Cut Dovetail. When done by hand you will discover this joinery is a truly unique and functional work of craftsmanship. This type of dovetail joinery makes a bold statement in drawers, chest and small boxes.

If you are interested in learning this technique and adding a true signature handmade statement to your woodworking designs, follow the simple and complete instructions by Martin Eckhardt. Martin is a fine craftsman and fellow contributor to the Lumber Jocks Woodworking Community. Thanks to Martin for helping myself and others learn this beautiful technique. It is truly an example of wood art.

P. S. When learning this dovetail joinery or any other, just remember there is a learning curve involved. Don’t start with difficult exotic hardwoods, give yourself time and practice often. You will improve as you go.

Your Comments are always welcome. If you are interested in future postings as they come available, don’t forget to subscribe to feed link at the bottom of the page.

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Woodworking Is Art

I really love creating interesting and challenging  projects. Recently my table saw was broken and my normal woodworking projects had to be put on hold for a while. Since I am always excited to learn new techniques and skills I took the opportunity to explore other creative directions (it’s hard to wait for parts for your most used tool in the shop).

Here is the short list of things I would like to explore.

• Learning How to Make Molds for Casting
• Get Better Using My Airbrush
• Glass Fusing And Slumping
• Learning More Inlay Techniques
• Welding

After spending some time searching the internet and visiting different forums, I found a site made for people like me.

It is a video rental site with over 5000 Videos in 228 Categories. They have excellent videos in all the categories I am interested in and many others that I had never heard of. Overall it is a really nice collection of How To Videos that will enable you to explore and gain valuable knowledge in many hand-on craftsman skills.

The videos are $9.99 for a week. It may seem a little high, but I would rather do that than buy pricey videos and find out it was only a passing interest. Oh, by the way, I rented “Steve Bleile’s Arc Welding” and was very happy with the product and the information. The customer reviews on this one were excellent. When you click on a product you are interested in, just scroll down to see the reviews.

Click on the “How Its Works” link to get the details for the rental policy.

I hope this is useful to you and I am always interested in what you have to say, so please leave a comment by clicking the link below.

I have been out of town recently for a little Rest and Relaxation. When I got back, I was feeling good and had a bunch of new woodworking ideas and  crafting projects to get started on. Well, the tool I depend on the most decided it needed some R and R. The Arbor bearing went out on my table saw. So, I’m working on it and hoping I will get it up and running soon.

For now I have two things to pass on to you that really caught my attention while searching for a woodworking design and crafting idea books at Amazon.com.

First: Amazon.com has a new wireless reading device called “Kindle“. Here are some of the features.

1. It is only 10.3 oz
2. Holds over 200 books, newspapers and blogs. (With more storage on SD Cards)
3. Reads like real paper
4. You can find, buy and read instantly with wireless access
5. No computers or cables
6. You can bring it anywhere (doctors office, train, picnic, airport, etc.)
7. Over 100,000 books, newspapers and blogs with more added each day
8. No service plan or commitments
9. Long life battery

It is something that an information junkie like me could really use ( I hope my wife or daughter reads this post).

Second: If you are interested in the Kindle, woodworking books or anything at Amazon.com, You can instantly save $30.00 by signing up for an a Amazon.com Visa Card (It is a no annual fee card).

Search for the products you want. Then after selecting you item for the Shopping Cart you will see a banner add for the card with a button that say’s, Get Back $30.00.   Click that button and on the right side of the next page you will see a banner the says, Complete the 3 Easy Steps. Don’t forget to read the details of the card agreement to make sure it suits your needs.

Once you are done, the card number will be added to your account immediately, with the actual card mail out to you. Earning reward points with your new card is another added benefit. Three points for every dollar spent on Amazon.com and one point per dollar spent on anything else. When you reach 2500 points you will automatically receive $25.00 Amazon Reward Certificate in the mail.

The Kindle wireless reading device and many of the woodworking and crafting books have Free Shipping just look for it in the details of the product.

I’m not real big on having a lot of credit cards, but I like the idea of getting the bonus spending money with it.

I hope this information was helpful to you. Please leave any comments below. I would love to here from you.

Thanks, Richard

Recently, I built a simple but elegant free-standing cabinet with White Oak and Black Walnut. All the material was Free! Continue reading to find out how you can find free woodworking material, free tools and free craft supplies in your area.

The wood was unused flooring from a local company that was moving to a new location and offered remnants for free on the Internet. How did I find this beautiful woodworking material?

Here is what you need to do to find all kinds of Free Stuff.

http://www.Craigslist.org has a variety of categories, but for the free woodworking materials, free tools and free craft supplies  in your area click on

1. Your State
2. Choose City
3. Go to “For Sale” Section
4. Then Click “Free”

Other Sections worth checking out are the “material”, “tools” and “wanted”.

The best times to check in for the latest posting are on Friday Evenings and Saturday Mornings. Don’t forget to check the past weeks postings because those items may still be available. If you are looking in the other sections other than the free section keep these points in mind.

1. Save some cash by negotiating, they usually are flexible
2. Keep your money and trade a product or service
3. Save your gas, ask if they can deliver

One other idea: If you have a place to store some items, a lot of what I see here in my area can be sold at garage sales. This might be an opportunity to donate items you have collected to your Church or Favorite Ministry to be sold at a garage sale fundraiser.

The Freestanding Cupboard above was built following a fine joinery tutorial and cupboard design by Mike Dunbar in “Fine Woodworking” Oct 2001 No. 151.

Like most plans that I follow, I made some changes to the dimensions and design. Most notable, I used  contrasting wood for the door panel, different hinges and a simple cove molding profile.

If you check in to Craigslist, you might find some very suprising free stuff. Keep taking the steps to improving your skills and expanding your creative talents. Always remember that a good craftsman isn’t one that doesn’t make mistakes, he or she just knows how to fix them. 

Okay, it’s not the bookmark of the future, but follow these simple instructions to create bookmarks that are functional, desirable and profitable.

Before we get started with the first installment of the bookmark tutorial series, let me point out the four criteria I was trying to meet with this simple, but profitable project.

1. I wanted an unconventional contemporary looking bookmark. A design that someone would want to hang on to, like a good pair of sunglasses. One that I would be disappointed to lose.
2. I wanted a unique and inexpensive gift product priced between $6 and $10.
3. I wanted a product that could be used as a calling card. Like a functional business card. Painting, writing or burning your Name, web-site and phone information somewhere on it.
4. I wanted a product that can be produced easily, quickly and with little  material cost. Most can be made from scraps and a small amount of shop time.

This design fits all this and is an opportunity for You to grow your woodworking or fine crafts business. 

To Start:

Cut four strips of wood (I used Tulipwood and Black Walnut for this example) 1/8 inch x 2 inches x 2 feet. Caution: Cutting thin strips can be challenging and dangerous. Use proper precautions and feather boards. Keep your fingers away from the blade with push sticks and protect your eyes.

Tip: Open the back side of your fence by 1/32 inch to prevent burn, limit blade marks and help prevent binding. This will reduce sanding time later.

I then tape the four strips together with blue painters tape to form a bundle. Crosscut the bundle into random lengths (using a crosscut jig will help prevent tear out). For this demonstration I cut a 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch, 5 inch and 6 inch length. Keep the bundles in order this will help you later during assembly.

For the next part you will need a simple right angle jig to assist you in designing, gluing and clamping. Nail a couple of scraps about a foot long together to form a right angle.

Begin your design blank by laying one six inch strip in the jig and add more layers to your desired width (mine is about 1 1/4 inches wide). Tip: Because of slight differences in thickness, keeping pieces cut from the same strip on the same plane will give you a better fit). End with another six inch strip.

Once you have a look that you are happy with, carefully remove the bundle from the jig and place it on its side. Place a piece of wax paper in the jig. Then brush woodworkers glue on the inside of the first piece and place it into the jig. (Note: Don’t overdue it with the glue. A nice even coat will due). Take each layer, add glue on the away side and rebuild the design into the jig. Use a piece of scrap to add to the outer side and clamp the bundle into the jig. Leave it to dry overnight.

After removing from the clamps, clean up the profile sides with a belt sander or running it through the table saw. Then carefully cut the bookmarks to desired width. I usually cut mine just shy of 1/8 inch around 3/32 inch. Caution: Cutting thin strips can be challenging and dangerous. Use proper precautions and feather boards. Keep your fingers away from the blade with push sticks and protect your eyes. Remember if you leave the back end slightly open you will reduce burn and blade marks and reduce the chance of binding.

From this blank I got ten bookmarks. We are now ready to sand with 100 grit sandpaper then 220 grit, removing any imperfections and burn marks. It can be done by hand or with an oscillating sander.

This is the time to burn your contact information into the bookmarks, if that is the look you desire. I usually write mine with a fine tip pen or marker after the first coat of spray sealer. This will prevent bleeding into the wood grain. For a nice even finish, thread a wire through each piece, attach each end, separate and spray with Minwax fast-drying polyurethane satin finish.

A light sand with 320 grit and apply another coat of spray sealer and you are done. Congratulations!!!

Tip: If you make several bundles you will reduce your setup and shop time and increase your bottom line. Here is my Top Recommendation to grow your business and become a Thriving Craftsman. 

I hope you found this tutorial to be beneficial to you. Don’t forget to subscribe to my feed at the bottom of the page. Share this website and stay in touch. More from the Bookmark Series and other useful and profitable Fine Crafts to come.

While searching for ways to add relief to artwork, I found a simple tutorial about creating a mold for any relief project you might have. Something you may want to duplicate. Nice way to multiply your hard work and add to your bottom line. There are several other tutorials that may be of interest to you. I have not used these products yet but have read several positive comments about them in the forums. Check it out and don’t forget to let us know your results. 

 http://www.amaco.com/amaco-relief-sculpture.html

Like this post? Publish It On Your Own Blog

I just wanted to link to this for some fun. I love webcomics and I think this artist has got the idea. It would be great to see a side by side look at the photo and the character.  This is an excellent way to practice your drawing technique. I hope you enjoy. 

The Fine Craft of Webcomics

Here is a link to a new book that just came out. I just recieved it and it has a lot of information to help you get going. Webcomic strips are growing fast and there isn’t much info out there to teach people to get it out on the internet. Release your Inner Comic, Get This Book.   How to Make Webcomics

Hello Fellow Craftsmen, Just wanted to let you know I am still working to get the site setup. I am new to a self hosted Wordpress Blog and going through a learning curve right now. Inserting some plug-ins and trying to create a banner that reflects the site theme. I have a list of upcoming post to get started with that I think will get your creative Arts an Crafts blood moving. I hope you will find the content useful and interesting. Stay Tuned!
Richard

This is a test post using windows live writer.

What makes any Craft A Fine Craft? Well the value of a craft can be approached in many ways.  Two main ways we look at crafts are aesthetically and functionally or both. The first  is only a desire for someone to want to actively interact with the piece. In essence it is the level that someone is initially draw to it, visually and functionally.  It’s the “I have to have that. It will look great in my home ”.  A fine craft in this case is something that adds to your daily pleasure. It is the equivalent to great content that offers ongoing value to your life.

Other fine crafts may be an  individual perception of quality in craftsmanship. It usually is a combination of materials designed, applied, and shaped to levels  generally that require greater skill and creativity. These crafts also interact with you aesthetically and functionally, but you may not be draw to them initially in that way. The reputation and the skill required to create the craft has a big part in why you are drawn to them.   

The final way a Fine Craft is qualified, is with value. More of a combination of the aesthetic, the difficulty and the demand. Is this craft something that is desirable and available? It is determined by market demand as an investment first and a product second.    

Really, any craft is a fine craft when each individual ask the question.

Will this add value to my life functionally, aesthetically or financially?