Storefront Classes
Click here to see the current classes we offer.
Search this Blog
My Personal Site & Gallery
Blog archive
Categories
Subscribe via RSS
LostArtPress on Instagram
Just finished building this Irish Gibson chair. It’s probably the simplest chair construction I’ve encountered. Details on our blog today.As the rain began to taper off in the afternoon, Jonathan looked both chests over one final time to see if there was anything he missed. His bony fingers searched for dust nibs, his eyes scoured for irregularities. He had been over these pieces time and again but wanted to make sure all was satisfactory. Mr. Johnson was pleased. The proportions were most agreeable, the drawers ran smooth, and the paint was just right. Nothing ostentatious, just tasteful and neat. It was a $14 well spent. Of all the furniture Jonathan made for his neighbors, this commission was the largest. Most customers ordered light stands, blanket chests or simple kitchen chairs, but the money from this project was an unexpected godsend to their family. — from “Hands Employed Aright: The Furniture Making of Jonathan Fisher (1768-1847)” by Joshua A. Klein #Hands_Employed_ArightAnd how should we finish up this Chest of Drawers? “The Joiner and Cabinet Maker” suggests grain-painting it to look like oak, then adding wooden knobs that are ebony or painted to look like it. Also recommended: Adding a strip of flat or beaded wood around the bottom of the case to cover the dovetails. Then paint this strip black as well. Contemporary tastes don’t go for grain-painting, and we like our joinery exposed. And this chest looks just fine to the modern eye if simply varnished. In fact, some people have asked me if the piece was a Shaker design. That’s an interesting comment, as early Shakers were from England and were trained in the shops of 18th-century masters. It wasn’t until the Shakers started training their own followers in cabinet making that the Shaker style became extremely refined like what you see in the Eastern Shaker communities in the middle 19th century. The chest in this book is made using American black cherry, which does not take well to complex dyes. So I decided to use a finish that would be simple, as this is not a high-style piece, and would be in line with the practices of the period. — from “The Joiner and Cabinet Maker” by Anon, Christopher Schwarz and Joel Moskowitz #The_Joiner_and_Cabinet_Maker@RudeMechanic on Twitter
- Dec. 14 Open House Special Guests blog.lostartpress.com/2019/12/13/dec… https://t.co/zMVQUFb7Sa 18 hours ago
- Another Gibson Chair blog.lostartpress.com/2019/12/12/ano… https://t.co/ACP2BcWsFP 1 day ago
- 2019 Anarchist’s Gift Guide, Day 10: Berea College Brooms blog.lostartpress.com/2019/12/10/201… https://t.co/x4MO81trXA 4 days ago
Translate
Author Archives: Kara Uhl
A Land of Snow & Ice
Oct. 27, 1968: A few stars are showing. A light breeze coming up and 26°. A day for small chores. I mixed up a batch of wood glue very thin and painted the runners on my sled. Tomorrow it will … Continue reading
Posted in Dick Proenneke, Uncategorized
9 Comments
Meet the Author (and Illustrator): Maurice Pommier
[Editor’s note: We recently reached out for an interview with Maurice Pommier, author and illustrator of “Grandpa’s Workshop” (translated by Brian Anderson – you can read about Brian’s visit to see Maurice and his workshop in 2012 here). Maurice lives in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
20 Comments
Meet the Author: Joshua A. Klein
Joshua Klein was born in Appleton, Wisconsin. “I was always the art kid,” he says. He wasn’t much into sports and instead spent his spare time painting, drawing and playing music. He was content with Bs, spending less time on … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
15 Comments
Meet the Author: C. H. Becksvoort
Christian Becksvoort was born in Wolfsburg, Germany. His father, who had spent seven years as a German apprentice, worked as a cabinetmaker. When Chris was 6, his parents decided to move to Toronto. But shortly before relocating to Canada, the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
12 Comments
A Deeper Look at Craftsmanship in ‘The Difference Makers’ (A Review)
The Deckle Edge, “a blog about books, libraries, books stores, and the ideas they contain,” recently posted a detailed review of Marc Adams’ new book, “The Difference Makers.” In his review, Matthew Boutte, a Texas-based finance executive who is “a … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Free Excerpts of Two New Books
For those who like to browse before they buy we’ve added excerpts from two of our latest titles – “The Difference Makers” by Marc Adams and “Making & Mastering Wood Planes (The Revised Edition)” by David Finck. In the excerpt … Continue reading
Free Excerpt of ‘Joiner’s Work’
For a more in-depth look of Peter Follansbee’s “Joiner’s Work,” check out the (free!) PDF excerpt we’ve posted here. It includes the table of contents, dedication, acknowledgements, introduction and the bookstand chapter. While copy editing Peter’s book I was delighted … Continue reading
Posted in Joiner's Work
12 Comments
