Upcoming Projects: Artsy Slates 1.

Up on the Roof.

[Photo: Natural art work, slate from St. Paul's Cathedral, London]

I was given a number of slates from a local church (roof under repair at the time) and used a few for birdhouse roofs and a mailbox project. None of the slates are as distinctive as the one shown in this short blog entry.

Link to a mailbox project.

I call this slate "The North Country" and will finish framing it inside a shadow box this afternoon. I will then place it on sale at a Saturday "Art in the Barn" event in Dorchester (tomorrow). If it doesn't sell I will hang it in my house.... because I really do like this artsy fartsy piece of nature's work.

Workshop Process:

 Two coats of varnish will lock in nature's grit and stains.

 Slate rests upon a western cedar platform... seems fitting.

 Slate and platform will be attached to painted (black) plywood backer board

 Western cedar frame will show off "The North Country"

I have more projects like the one above in mind. And don't be surprised if I one day frame the lid to the varnish tin. I'll call it "Moonscape No. 1".

: )

More to follow, once "The North Country" is framed.

Please link to Upcoming Projects: Libraries and a Shadow Box.

Photos GH

Custom Table/Shelf 2

Finally, We're Off the Ground

 "This project will be complicated, to match its name"

Nick, a special friend and client, has been waiting - patiently, I might add - a long time for me to build a custom table/shelf to place under his downtown apt.'s window sill. Let's just say I got busy on various other stuff and move on.

"Nick is a dedicated, adventurous fisherman"

This will be a big job but somebody's got to do it - and that's me.

Main materials will be red cedar, western cedar, plywood, classic pine and lovely slates.

The 'window sill box' will include two shadow boxes, one at each end. And somewhere fish will get thrown in for good measure.

Link to Custom Table/Shelf

Photos GH

Wee Side Job 9 - Fini!

Classy Brass

As some say when finished a task - Voila!

Link to Wee Side Job 8

Photos GH

B & W Wee Side Job

After the Brasso

I showed photos of these classy drawer pulls on Monday. Then I cleaned them w Brasso. I think they look better now!

"Good investment," I say.

Link to an earlier B & W Wee Side Job

Photos GH

Wee Side Job 8

Attach the Brass!

Platforms are secured to the backer board in the shadow box and the classy brass drawer pulls are in place. I think they look AOK.

"I may have to hang these in my own study!"

Next up: Wee wooden plaques by the artiste!

Link to Wee Side Job 7

Photos GH

Wee Side Job 7

Frames and Platforms

 "Pine platforms w conditioner, cabernet stain and varnish"

Wood conditioner and coats of varnish are dry and finishing touches can be completed during spare time over the next few days.

Once I add the classy brass drawer pulls you will see why I like custom shadow boxes as art pieces.

"A titch of cabernet on the western cedar frames as well"

Link to Wee Side Job 6

Photos GH

B & W Wee Side Job

Classy and Brassy

Wood conditioner is applied, first coat of varnish is dry. Rich-looking shadow boxes are coming along well. in my brassy opinion.

Link to B & W Barnboard Birdhouse

Photos GH

Wee Side Job 6

Rare Drawer Pulls

Two years ago a couple of rare, finely crafted drawer pulls - inside a glass cabinet at Habitat for Humanity - caught my eye. This week I dusted them off and cut lumber for two small shadow boxes.

I have already stained the platforms and will varnish them along with a pair of dark cedar frames soon, then assemble.

Link to Wee Side Job 5

Photos GH

Shadow Box

Single Brass Hinge

What can one do with a single brass hinge? Spend a lifetime looking for a suitable mate?

"Make a shadow box," I say. "Show it off."

Spot the shadow box in last week's Boot Sale:

Link to Basic Western Cedar BH 1

Photos GH