removing the bark

After we flitch cut a slab we remove the bark before stacking it to air dry.  If we don't the bark will retain moisture which causes problems.  We usually use a draw knife for this project.  Even though we keep our tools sharp, this is tough work that I that seems to be better suited to my apprentice.

does this look dangerous to you?

Does the current look strong?  Well, I've paddled the creek (with the dog's swimming close ahead or behind) just a few times this year so far.  Haven't really given this little fallen limb much attention, other than I (almost unconsciously) paddle around it rather than try to paddle over it.  Well yesterday it came to my attention, just how powerful and potentially dangerous water, even a little creek that's not in flood stage, can be.

As I do most paddling trips, I paddled up the creek with intentions of resting, meditating at our favorite little rapids area and float back home.  Well, two of my dogs swam across the creek and ran on up ahead 50 yards or so.  Mattie, my only pure bred did it the hard way, following right behind my kayak swimming the whole way.  As always, I try to keep an eye on all of them.  I could see at one point that the current was stronger than usual after the wonderful rain we had the day before, and she wasn't making much headway behind this limb.  Then, I looked back again and she was right in front of it, swimming, but unable to get out from and away from it.  I paddled over the the bank, got out and called her from there.  She continued to swim forward, just treading water, making no headway, with only her head in front of the limb, rest of her body behind.  She seemed kindof bug eyed and frightened.  I just walked over and drug/carried her to the bank and safety. 

If she had run out of steam, I THINK she would have probably been pulled under and out of harm, but I don't know.  So, it really wasn't a big deal, but it could have been.  I love water, but must always remember to keep a healthy respect for it, no matter how comfortable it may seem.  

another shot of mattie yesterday

mattie on easter sunday

Can you see how tired and maybe ever a little scared she looks here?  I'll update on tomorrow post.

the creek thursday april 1

Warm summer day on the first day of April.  The high was 84 degrees.  Left work (well play) a little early and took the pups for a swim (I paddled).  Just  our second creek paddle this year.  The air temp might have been 84.  I can tell you, the creek wasn't.  I just couldn't quite make the complete plunge, just getting in only to waist deep.  Today I was a wus.  Amazing day, anyway.

collaboration on first bed design

Let me start out by saying that I'm not accustomed to collaborating in the design process.  But, when I have collaborated with architects and interior designers, the outcome has been good.  Looks like this will be another successful example.  Here my friend, amazingly talented artist, author and architect Joey Leavitt is working out the detail of our first organic edge walnut slab bed headboard.

studio / gallery / office / photo room drawing

Here's a drawing of the studio remodel we are working on.  The back area will be my and Linda's shared office.  It will have two six foot sliding doors.  Planning to make them from translucent corrugated plastic and walnut.  The barn door hardware is ordered from Tractor Supply.  During my last remodel, I learned to use the barn door rail system with wheels made of rubber.  The metal wheels in our closet at home sounds like a massive thunder storm every time we open the door.

three stumps arrived this morning

I've only worked with a few stumps so far, and I can tell you, there's nothing easy or fast about making furniture from a stump.  The blades dull quickly, and that is If we get all the dirt and rocks out of the crevices. These three stumps completely filled up this big dump truck.  Hopefully my 6000 pound fork lift will be able to move them around before we remove the dirt.  The wood in a root seems to be hard and difficult to work. But, this morning it's feeling like Christmas.  I can't wait to get into them.  The grain patterns in these roots are usually, well, almost mesmerizing.  To be the first (well second) to see a wonderous grain pattern is humbling. 

here's the empty bowl I came home with

This little bowl is really beautiful.  I know every bowl is unique, and they don't let you choose, just handing you one as you are leaving.  I have to think the Salvation Army Auxiliary could double their $35,000 one day (or one year depending on how you look at it) take.

empty bowl luncheon - wonderful fund raiser

At the Marriott yesterday, we ran over to attend and support the Salvation Army's annual Empty Bowl Luncheon.  I think this is the 14th year or so.  It's certainly grown each year.  And, this has to be one of the best "deals" for contributors I've run across.  For $12 in advance ($15 at the door), you get to choose from 40 or so local restaurants selection of soup.  You can try one of each if you want.  I wasn't really hungry.  Tried three soups.  They were all really good.  My fav was a she crab soup that was as good as I've had in Beaufort, Hilton Head or even Charleston.  And, to top it off, on the way out, each attendee gets a hand made, glazed little bowl, made throughout the year by local artists, and many new bowl artists.  I'm really blown away with this wonderful event.

New website this morning!

Now, when you point your browser to robinwadefurniture.com, you will arrive at the new website.  We lost the music and slide show, but overall I hope it's an improvement.  I started tweaking this morning, and have screwed up the home page. .  .  Better get back to it!

working on the new gallery/showroom

Of the 1800 sq ft gallery space:

Should be nice, but it's looking rough this morning.

All of the old interior walls are down.

We've moved all of our furniture over to one side of the room.

We are washing all the walls down, will start filling the holes in the concrete blocks.  

This is looking like it's going to take a while.  Maybe a couple of weeks??  

foggy tuesday morning on the creek

I always enjoy waking up to a wonderful deep fog in the morning.  There's usually a crisp brilliant blue sky not far behind.  On my routine morning walk with the pups this morning, we knew the creek was down the hill to the north, as it always is.  We could hear it.  There's no question that it's there, although we couldn't see it.  

16' oak slab conference table

Last week we planed and started sanding these two 16' long oak slabs.  This morning I'm trying to wrap my mind around this massive table design.  Looking like our first conference table should seat close to 20.

New beginning for Wilson Park oak

Friday we had brilliant blue skies and a high of 70 or so, so .  .  .  without really discussing it, we found ourselved drawn outside to do some sawyer work that was overdue.  We spent the day flitch cutting and stacking these oak slabs which previously provided shade and beauty for many locals at Wilson Park.  It had been located on the North corner of Wood Avenue, right across from the library for as long as I can remember, and probably much more.  I really hated to see it's life come to an end, but I'm pleased that it didn't get buried at the landfill, like so many.  

Low oak slab table in the works

Continuing to make progress on this oak slab table.

Why we plane these massive slabs

Lately, I've been getting a few questions about some of the "why's" of my process.  Why do we plane the slabs after they've been kiln dried.  When we are flitch cutting the lumber, why do we cut them so thick.  Above is a pic of a 16' long slab we are in the process of planing today.  With the Lucas sawmill, we cut it into this piece of organic edge lumber several years ago.  During the drying process, the oak slab went through a tremendous amount of stresses, as the moisture was removed, and the slab moved and shrank.  Each slab, tree, species reacts differently.  This pic shows a 1 inch buckle down the middle of the three inch thick slab.  We will plane it down flat, on both sides today and probably end up with somewhere between a 1.25" and 2" thick.  

What makes a great dive - my rule number 2

Customer's regularly line up, out the door to get a table.  If I'm ever driving thru a small town (and haven't done my homework to get local insights thru Chowhound.com) my best results are usually from looking for restaurants with packed parking lots, or, even better, customers lining up out the door.  Linda and I love Asian food.  We also detest buffets, and the standard southern chinese restaurants with all you can eat enticements.  I can't tell you how thrilled we are with Maggie and Jason Lin's Rice Box Restaurant.  Their food, service, even bathrooms are always exceptional.  Jason is the head chef (rule number 1).  There are usually lines out the door (rule number 2).  --  What the heck am I doing here with rules??  I hate rules!  We LOVE the Rice Box (pictured above).  Oh - it's no DIVE.

chisel work on a walnut and sassafras bench

We almost completed this bench made from a massive sassafras timber.  I'll post pics, hopefully next week, of the completed piece.

Interesting book discussion at the library Thursday night

We were entertained by Neil White Thursday night at our downtown library.  He shared memories of his kiting schemes and resulting 18 month stint in a Louisiana prison/leprosy hospital.  He's on a book signing tour, promoting "In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir."  Quite interesting to say the least.  Neil resides in Oxford, Ms.