In our reprint of Joseph Moxon’s “Mechanick Exercises,” we missed page 169 when scanning the original. We’ve updated the file and will correct it at the next press run. Click below to download a PDF of the page to print and insert into the first edition. Our apologies for the error.
On Friday we wrapped up the class and assembled six new stick chairs. Also, thanks to the generosity of Lost Art Press readers, all the students took a complete kit of cherry parts home for their next stick chair – plus the jigs and patterns necessary to make that great leap at home.
Making stick chairs in cherry is a special challenge. It’s not as strong as oak, so repairing a split here and there is common. Also, a lot of this cherry was curly, so that made it fun to get the surfaces free of tear-out.
But in the end, the chairs look great. And each one reflects the personality of its maker.
I’d like to thank everyone who made this class possible. Aspen Golann at The Chairmaker’s Toolbox worked with a few other people to select the six students from more than 200 applications. Megan Fitxpatrick (misspelling intended) helped me keep everything on track during the week. Harper Haynes, our summer intern, shot and edited the videos you’ve been watching all week.
And y’all – the blog readers – put up the money that made the class special. Thank you.
If you’d like to see what sort of seed you’ve planted, definitely follow the students on Instagram. Here are their usernames:
The movie selection today does not adequately cover everything we did. It does not cover the empanadas. Or the pastries. Or the bourbon slushes.
It also doesn’t cover the fact that we made most of the sticks and tenoned them. Tomorrow we will shave all the sticks to shape, clean up the arms and assemble the chairs.
Then maybe some more bourbon slushes (and a well-deserved merit badge).
None of these chairs are the same. Not the rake and splay of the legs or undercarriage. Not the arms or hands. Not the position of the sticks. So yeah, stick chairs are on the menu.