An interior spread from “A Visitor Comes to Covington.”
Late last month, a package arrived from our researcher, Suzanne “Saucy Indexer” Ellison. I opened the package, saw it was a handmade book, and immediately set it aside. I was in the middle of teaching a chair class, plus my oldest daughter was about to arrive from Pittsburgh for her birthday.
After all the visitors – students, Maddy and her fiance – had left, I sat down with the book so I could give it my full attention. It is, of course, a fantastic document and a good story. It has everything: drinking, cats, a turtle and a mysterious visitor.
Suzanne kindly agreed to allow me to share the book with you via a video reading. If the video doesn’t appear in your mail reader, click this link to watch it.
I hope this story brightens your Sunday. Tomorrow, we’ll post Suzanne’s story about how she made the book, which is just as interesting as the book itself.
If you have a question about woodworking or our products, this is the place to get it answered – today.
Here’s how. Post your question in the comments section below. If possible, I’ll answer it. Simple.
But (and as Pee Wee Herman says, Everybody’s got a big butt)….
I reserve the right to ignore questions that are troll bait. Also, if you post a comment and it does not immediately appear, it has been flagged for moderation. First-time commenters are always kicked to moderation. Also, posting a lot of links, using hateful language or a lengthy message causes the software to flag it for moderation.
Your comment will appear after I approve it.
In other words, there is no need to keep posting a comment over and over.
“Sharpen These!” didn’t have as much of a ring to it.
I have been negligent in posting updates to the “Sharpen This (the Video)” series. Apologies. I am back on the wagon. (Or is it “off the wagon?” Anyway, more videos to come.)
The new Chapter 14 shows how I sharpen the wacky cutters for the Lie-Nielsen Nos. 48 and 49 tongue-and-groove planes. And how to set up the Stanley versions of this plane for best results. I also show the plane in use and give some tips for how to make better joints with it.
And, because I have been so remiss, I also do a short video on how I sharpen pocket knives and bench knives. (Knife-makers, please look away.)
Plus, Bean comes for a visit!
If you bought the video series, you should have received an email that gives you links to the new content. If you buy the video now, you will have immediate access to all the videos in the series.
Pantry Fields. The original house at right. The banana boxes at left. Photo courtesy of Anne and David Sears.
When Welsh chairmaker John Brown put down roots in Pembrokeshire, Wales, he and his wife, Anne, lived in two railway cars – Fyffes Banana wagons – that had transported fruit around the U.K. up until the 1950s.
The railway cars were used as living spaces for many years, until the 1990s when they fell into disrepair. But now Anne and David Sears have fixed them up and turned them into a lovely place to stay on their grounds that is near Newport, a nice seaside town, and Carningli mountain, Tycanol woods and Bluestone Brewery.
I’ve spent a few days at Pantry Fields while working with Chris Williams on his book “Good Work,” and can attest that the plot of land is gorgeous. A serene and green spot of great beauty.
It also is an important landmark for those who appreciate Welsh stick chairs. John Brown wrote his book “Welsh Stick Chairs” there and built his chairs inside an addition to the original house. (Which is now Anne’s studio.)
The grounds also include David’s workshop (he is JB’s nephew), where he makes furniture, bread, beer and other good things. They also have a showroom of the articles they produce at Pantry Fields, including Anne’s pottery, David’s furniture and the illustrations of Sally Seymour (Anne’s mother).
More photos of the accommodations are available at the Pantry Fields web site. Photo courtesy of Anne and David Sears.
The price is very reasonable for the space in the railway cars. Details are here.
Even if you have no interest in stick chairs, Pantry Fields is a lovely place to visit. And if you want to plan the ultimate trip to Wales, with stops at St Fagans National Museum of History and Tim Bowen Antiques, then staying at Pantry Fields is a must and a privilege.
As always, I have no affiliation. I just love the people and the place.
— Christopher Schwarz
John Brown in his workshop at Pantry Fields. It looks much different now. Photo courtesy of the family.
