Lost Art Press

The Surprising Beauty of Straw Work

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While visiting the Rochester Guildhall to see the Benjamin Seaton Tool Chest, I had to pass through some other exhibits (the tool chest is way at the back). The Rochester area was known for its prison “hulks” in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 

The hulks were decommissioned ships – some damaged – that were moored and used as overflow to house prisoners, especially prisoners of war. The hulks in Rochester housed many American and French prisoners of war.

During their time on the hulks, the prisoners would spend their time in a variety of ways, from carving bone to making straw work marquetry.

This surprisingly intricate craft involved making a pine box or cabinet then veneering it with pieces of straw, some of which had been colored.

The Rochester Guildhall had several examples on display, and they were a beautiful almost folk type of marquetry. Check out the photos.

— Christopher Schwarz

Anarchist’s Gift Guide 2023: Day 15

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This is the final installment of the Anarchist’s Gift Guide 2023 – tomorrow, it’s back to our regular programming.

Buffing Kit for Wax
From the automotive world comes this incredibly useful buffing kit. I put the pads on my random-orbit sander to buff out wax on tabletops and the like, and the pads makes life so much easier. These have hook-and-loop backing so they go right on the sander. I use the tool at a slow speed and buff out Renaissance wax and our Soft Wax. Sad part: I couldn’t find a good local source, so I had to go to Amazon for this one.

LAP Open Wire: Nov. 25, 2023

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The Seaton tool chest.

I am back from a fruitful trip to the U.K. where I got to see (finally) the Benjamin Seaton Tool Chest at the Guildhall Museum in Rochester. (More on this tomorrow on the blog).

As you can imagine, things are bonkers here this time of year. Megan, John and I have all been pitching in at the Anthe building to fulfill holiday orders. We are happy to do it. Honestly, I kind of missed it (I have always loved manual labor).

But today we are here to answer your questions. If you are wondering about what to finish a dining table with, click here. If you somehow have some other question for us, write it in the comments field below, and we will do our best to answer it.

Note: Comments are now closed.

— Christopher Schwarz

Anarchist’s Gift Guide 2023: Day 14

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Knipex Mini-Pliers
Until this year I resisted the call of the Knipex. But after talking to Jason Thigpen of Texas Heritage at Handworks about his mini-pliers, his tone of voice was enough to convince me to give them a try.

The Knipex set of XS Pliers is not cheap, but the tools are head and shoulders above the stuff at the home center. I have ours hanging on the tool wall behind my bench and grab them constantly for dealing with stubborn fasteners or gripping something odd.

These mini-pliers have an enormous grip and grab really well. You won’t be sorry.

Free Shipping Ends at Midnight

Posted on by Lost Art Press
Check out the new label for our glue. These pigs ship for free until midnight.

This is last call for free shipping. Last chance to get a letterpress poster of “By Hammer & Hand,” a bottle of our Piggly No Wiggly Glue or our new book “Cricket Tables,” with zero shipping.

We’re trying not to nag anyone. But this post is to remind that guy who will whine to us tomorrow morning: Couldn’t you just extend it one more day for me?

— Christopher Schwarz