My Story
Last Edited 2011-02-04
What is the most wonderful ensuing development of a dream pushed aside by the demands of life................an Encore Career..!!
Decisions
After deciding to take a breather from the business of woodworking I took a job at Walnut Hollow.
This was in early September of 1986. I would leave this position just two months later to work for a friend's
company in Madison called Space Metrics. There I would learn the world of the European 32 MM boring system
for cabinet making.
Quite a pendulum swing that year; from mortise and tenon joinery with solid wood to melamine
clad particle board!
In early July of 1988 I took a job in Milwaukee. I was giving up woodworking and selling all
of my machines. I kept the 17" Delta drill press, a few small power tools, some hand tools,
drawings, and 100 bdft of Hawaiian Koa.
After a couple years I sold the drill press with a bunch of tooling for $100. It was just sitting
around and it was heavy to move.
I then became repurposed in another world.
Stages of Awakening
Late 2006, make a bible box with carving. This went well. Maybe I should try more things. Maybe some machines would be in order. Early 2007, continue acquiring old delta woodworking machinery and learning about restoring them on OWWM. Late 2007, produce first oval jewelry boxes in 24 years. Early 2008, produce more oval jewelry boxes. Summer of 2008, exhibited at two art fairs.
The Journey
In 1976, at UW-Madison, I got to meet James Krenov and shake his hand. He autographed
my copy of his recent book, “A Cabinetmaker's Notebook”. Beyond that, I didn’t read any
of his other work but his design influence crept into mine through the years.
When I learned of his passing, last September (2009), I was saddened. This summer (2010) thoughts of
him started to occupy my mind more frequently. I have now acquired every one of his books and
am busily reading them. In my older years I think I understand what he is saying and why I didn’t
buy it when I was younger. I have found a picture of one of his pieces that I want to try and make.
In the process of reverse engineering it I learned more than I would have ever imagined about how
he made things and how I couldn’t follow all of his methods. Some of his joinery uses dowels
and I could never use dowels in fine furniture.
Martha, of downsworks would say that I am being very
dogmatic about the use of dowels..!!