Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Newest News: Mountain Sage
So I have been making a number of items over the last few months and started realizing I will not be readily available during the summer months. So I decided to change my tactics a little. I am going to place a number of items in a small nursery located in Groveland, CA, my hometown. Groveland is located on Highway 120 on the way to Yosemite National Park. It is small, very small, with a few of restaurants, two banks, one bar, some small boutiques a school. Nothing much happens here in the off season except when the tourists start coming to town. All in all Groveland is a great little town that deserves a days visit.
The Nursery/Coffee shop Mountain Sage has been there for years, although a different name when I worked there almost 15years ago. Today it is an excellent little coffee shop and nursery with wonderful landscaping and places to relax in the gardens while sipping tea and coffee (they make the best latte's around!!). The nursery also host a number of artist in the form of music, artwork and naturalists. It is a great venue and a must on the way to or from Yosemite!
The owners of the Coffee shop, Colton and Hillary, are great people that welcome local and handmade items. Colton was very interested in my items from the get go. As a result I have decided to place my items with them over the summer months and see how they sell. I believe this will be a good business deal for us both.
At this time my plan is to place all my small items and a couple of larger items, a number of business cards and small description of who I am and what I do. Similar to my general profile here. From there I will add new items when I get a chance to make more over the summer months. Since I am working away from home, and without a shop, it'll be interesting none the least. For those of you who know me,I can't sit still for very long and will welcome a task here and there. Although fishing the Merced River might take a bit of my time :)
I am looking forward to doing business with Mountain Sage and see how popular my items are with the volume of customers that come through the Highway 120 corridor. Colton has asked that I have a demo day or two that show's my process for making my various item. I am not sure of the dates yet but I will let you know when I do. My plan is to make simple items for folks to finish themselves and take home. If you happen to visit my site via Mountain Sage or stop by due to my blog, I'd love to hear from you and your experiences!
Cheers, Scotty
Monday, May 9, 2011
creating my latest design
Over the Easter weekend I made, or at least finished a few really cool things! First off I will mention the collage.I started a monthly challenge on Esty's Woodworkers as a fun way to force new ideas, designs and show off the talents of the many wonderful artist.April's Challenge brought forth by TheHickoryTree was to build a collage. Extra scraps, a little sanding, some glue. Yeah I thought I could do this.
I started out with the idea of flowers and perhaps asters (daisy's) in mind. I started out with some extra scraps that I cut into somewhere equal in thickness. Next I had to reevaluate how the wood was shaping up. I had some great manzanita, birds-eye-maple, and cherry stock. Well each time I tried to make my original plan, but it wasn't quite working. I decided to have a bite to eat and reference John Muir Laws The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada . I love Orchids but the intricacy of designing my favorite (Mountain Lady Slipper) just wasn't going to happen. Pansies and monkey flowers on the other hand are much easier. Plus who can go wrong with tulips or even better yet, California Poppies!
So in the end that is what I went with. A beautiful mixed collage of flowers.
The boarder is made from an exotic (can't remember which).
Flower stalks are made of cherry and manzanita.
Leaves are made from Manzanita.
Flowers are made from splated big leaf maple.
The round piece is manzanita.The base is spalted big lag maple.
Finished with Tung Oil
Thursday, April 28, 2011
New Items
Sometimes there are to many items that take up time from the hobbies and activities that you'd much rather be doing. Lately I have been taking a Project Management Class at the local Junior College. It has been a great class but I am happy to move on and do more hobbies such as skiing, fishing and woodworking!
Over the Easter weekend I made, or at least finished a few really cool things! First off I will mention the collage.I started a monthly challenge on Esty's Woodworkers as a fun way to force new ideas, designs and show off the talents of the many wonderful artist.
April's Challenge brought forth by TheHickoryTree was to build a collage. Extra scraps, a little sanding, some glue. Yeah I thought I could do this.
I started out with the idea of flowers and perhaps asters (daisy's) in mind. I started out with some extra scraps that I cut into somewhere equal in thickness. Next I had to reevaluate how the wood was shaping up. I had some great manzanita, birds-eye-maple, and cherry stock. Well each time I tried to make my original plan, but it wasn't quite working. I decided to have a bite to eat and reference John Muir Laws The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada . I love Orchids but the intricacy of designing my favorite (Mountain Lady Slipper) just wasn't going to happen. Pansies and monkey flowers on the other hand are much easier. Plus who can go wrong with tulips or even better yet, California Poppies!
So in the end that is what I went with. A beautiful mixed collage of flowers!
Next I was asked to make a Votive Candle Holder out of Manzanita. I had made one for my little sister years ago. It was log style, cleaned to a sheen, then drilled for candles. Ok, this wouldn't be to bad. I made the base and was ready to drill holes. Not sure of the width due to the wide range of candle thickness.To see the final purchase see below!
So I decide to try something new, well almost. I was making thin strips for the collage out a piece adjacent to the item on the right. I decided to keep making cut until I had. made a nice equal square. Once I had the square established, I took dad's extra coaster's he had made, and placed them around the square stock.
Lastly, I made this cool little vase a while ago, but I haven't displayed it until today. I made two of them at the same time. My little sister has the other one. She brought me homemade jam so I though a little flower vase would be an appropriate way to say thank you! The colors and shapes in the grain are awesome. Burl wood is the most amazing stuff!
I just placed these on the etsy website, hopefully they sell. If you know someone who'd like them send my name along. I am actually thinking of give away's for those who give me a few sales!!
Here are the small candle holder I made. I think they are great. Anna should get them today or tomorrow! I will post them with their final finish (photo's are on Christine's camera).
April's Challenge brought forth by TheHickoryTree was to build a collage. Extra scraps, a little sanding, some glue. Yeah I thought I could do this.
I started out with the idea of flowers and perhaps asters (daisy's) in mind. I started out with some extra scraps that I cut into somewhere equal in thickness. Next I had to reevaluate how the wood was shaping up. I had some great manzanita, birds-eye-maple, and cherry stock. Well each time I tried to make my original plan, but it wasn't quite working. I decided to have a bite to eat and reference John Muir Laws The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada . I love Orchids but the intricacy of designing my favorite (Mountain Lady Slipper) just wasn't going to happen. Pansies and monkey flowers on the other hand are much easier. Plus who can go wrong with tulips or even better yet, California Poppies!
So in the end that is what I went with. A beautiful mixed collage of flowers!
So I decide to try something new, well almost. I was making thin strips for the collage out a piece adjacent to the item on the right. I decided to keep making cut until I had. made a nice equal square. Once I had the square established, I took dad's extra coaster's he had made, and placed them around the square stock.
This branch here was actually covered over completely until I exposed the interior!
The contrast is great!
One of my favorite items to make are Vases with large glass tubes that are visible. These pieces of natural wood are hard to come across. When I do find one I turn into a five year old who just found another Easter Egg! This piece came from an river canyon while fishing. Although the hike was only 1/4mile and I didn't catch anything (although Christine may have caught poison oak from me) I did find this great piece of wood!!
Lastly, I made this cool little vase a while ago, but I haven't displayed it until today. I made two of them at the same time. My little sister has the other one. She brought me homemade jam so I though a little flower vase would be an appropriate way to say thank you! The colors and shapes in the grain are awesome. Burl wood is the most amazing stuff!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Etsy Woodworker's Mother's Day Sale
Please come and visit the Etsy Woodworker's Mother's Day Sale.
There is a large list of talented woodworkers willing to drop their price to make momma happy!
MY COUPON CODE IS: MOTHERSDAYSALE2011
Please come and visit the Etsy Woodworker's Mother's Day Sale.
There is a large list of talented woodworkers willing to drop their price to make momma happy!
MY COUPON CODE IS: MOTHERSDAYSALE2011
Etsy Woodworkers Mother's Day Sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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