Two big changes are afoot at Lost Art Press that are worth note.
1. Ty Black, my shop assistant, is moving to Jacksonville, Fla., with his wife and kids. They’ll be setting up shop down there is due time, and I hope that Ty will still be able to contribute to what we do here in the Midwest.
Ty’s been working in my shop three days a week since August and has made himself quite valuable. He volunteered to work here unpaid and could come and go as he pleased. As I never – ever – want to manage any employees, that’s the only arrangement I could bear.
However, I did hire him as a freelancer to work on several Lost Art Press projects. The biggest one – the one I cannot talk about – took him months of scanning and coding. When we announce that project (soon!), you will fully appreciate his skills and his time served here.
2. John Hoffman, my business partner at Lost Art Press, is leaving his day job with the government at the end of May to work full time for Lost Art Press.
I could not be more excited about this.
Though I am frequently the face and the name that goes with Lost Art Press, John is an equal partner in this business. Without his behind-the-scenes work on the business, Lost Art Press would still be puny. As it stands, we are growing fast enough to support our families and continue to publish four titles (or more) a year.
While I am sad to see Ty move (who will eat at Eli’s with me?), I cannot overstate how important it is that John is going to be working on Lost Art Press all day, every day.
So stay tuned.
— Christopher Schwarz
I will ear at Eli’s, both with and without you (but with you is far more entertaining). Still, I’m sorry to see Ty move. (And I’m envious of JH.)
So happy to hear the business is going so well! Thank you to all three of you for doing what you do and giving us these looks into your knowledge and lives!
Ty, you’ll find a good home in Jax. TotalWine at the TownCenter here sells several HB beers if you miss them from the picture. And for John, congratulations for the decision, you must be excited to leave the government drab behind.
Hey, I hope you’ll be able to offer international shipping on you pre-release books now John will work full time!
I would eat Eli’s with you, or anyone, any time. All the time. That &*^$ is delicious!
Good luck to Ty and to you and your business. I do enjoy your humor.
Congratulations Chris, John, and Ty! Awesome news for all 3 of you! In the last 6 months I’ve rekindled a life long interest in wood working with hand tools. And I’m VERY grateful to have discovered Lost Art Press. My grandfather was a carpenter and I know he’d be tickled over your website and company and that I’ve found such a good place to learn from. Many thanks to each of you!
Awesome to hear all the good things happening! Change can be scary at times but I can tell that you see these changes for what they are, growth and development! Awesome all the way around.
Did he drink that whole glass of beer in one sitting? Good luck to Ty
Good luck Ty- and be careful down there- in a couple years the Walken thing could easily acquire a southerly twinge if you’re not careful…
And Congrats John! It’s a scary, noble step to follow our passion. Best of luck.
You know my wife … she tells me … i am getting better … at the Walken…
If Ty has any questions about Jacksonville or cool places to go I am happy to give some recommendations.
Fare the well, Mr. Black
I still think of you every time I split out black locust trunnels with my too-giant mallet. I hope that you will one day eclipse your woodworker in-laws (or at least achieve full peerage).
As for LAP, happy tidings on a partner. My advice after 20-odd years as a partner in a small firm: Never be ashamed to sing the praises of your business partner(s). Humility should be reserved for ones self, not for the professionals who labor along side you.
If he drinks Hofbrauhaus beer, he must be a good guy.
Chris:
Hope you give John the occasional weekend or holiday off, or is your closing statement a Lost Art Press work rule? The poor guy will be in extended recovery from government employment (don’t ask how I know this).
I think there are many of us out here in TV land that are happy to hear that John will be working for LAP full time. Maybe we can get our orders with a small degree of increased haste. LOL