Thursday, April 9, 2015

Where Have I Been Part 2

As I noted nearly a year ago, along with a partner, I started a Radon Testing and Mitigation company.  After many hard months it was apparent that there was not the need for another Radon company in our area.  As Kenny Rogers advises (know when to hold em, know when to fold em), I decided to fold em and cut my losses.  This along with the passing of my mother and the untimely passing of a nephew, I have been somewhat of a social recluse.

I have been keeping up with a few of my favorite blogs and watching the work of friends.  I have begun to restore a 1920's bungalow that my eldest daughter purchased.  That should keep me busy for a few months.

What I yearn to do is get back into my shop.  Lost Art Press recently published Chairmaker's Notebook by Peter Galbert.  For me, this was the most anticipated release since LAP opened shop.  I have to tell you it was well worth the wait.  If you have ever thought about building a Windsor Chair this is a must have book.  Pete wrote and illustrated the entire book.  His writing style make the intimidating process of building a chair seem very doable. Today I read a post on Brian Eve's blog, Toolerable about him starting a chair build.  He is encouraging others to join in with their own chair build starting in the month of June.

I have dried seat blanks in stock, dried maple rounds and my choice of two white oak and three ash logs, so why not.  I'm in for a build in June.  I too hope you will venture down this path and get a glimpse of what I have come to enjoy, building chairs.

Stay tuned for photos of the build and watch Brian's wonderful blog also.

~ Ray Schwanenberger