FoxBusiness Spotlight's our SuperNatural work
FoxBusiness Spotlight's our SuperNatural work
We got a call from Kathryn Tuggle, a super nice Fox Business reporter a couple of weeks ago. She surprised us in a couple of ways. One, that if we could move quick, and get her a product shot, she had a place for us in her spotlight of a few luxury, American Made products in Lux in the Heartland. Since these are two of my favorite conversations I was certainly game.
The other surprise was that she's been following the blog for a while, and really seemed to know us. This probably should come as such a surprise since I've been a fairly regular blogger for several years, but it was. I don't receive regular feedback, and begin to wonder if anyone's out there.
I was just looking over our website analytics and it is rewarding to see that all the numbers are growing at quite a clip now. The graph bars are kinda shooting toward the sky. After several years of slow deliberate website growth, it's great to see it accelerating. And I have to feel that a spotlight with FoxBusiness has to be a good thing. Thank you Kathryn! Please stop by anytime. And don't be a stranger!
Operation Migration in Russellville
Operation Migration in Russellville
It was a beautiful Thursday, our first day off since Christmas eve, and we packed up the kids (pups) and headed due South for a meeting in Phil Campbell.
On the way back, we couldn't help but stop by and check on our new friends/mentors with Operation Migration - who have been landlocked for almost a month, due to weather, and now possibly Holiday/Family responsibilities. I was hoping to take them to one of our favorite North Alabama dives that are both right down the road in Russellville - for lunch.
These guys have quite a setup. They seemingly ride in comfort and style. Several nice vans, motor homes, also a motorcycle, a kayak, a bike (all of which seem mandatory to me- really) satellite (tv or internet??) and not one but two ultra light air planes (is that still what they are called??).
I just love what these guys are all about. I want to learn more, take notes, and see how I can become more involved. Sorry I missed you guys. Safe travels, and Godspeed.
Operation Migration in Russellville
idiot of the week
idiot of the week
I've got several blog posts to catch up on today, before the new year begins. So here goes:
I just can't "reveal" all the idiotic things that I seem to regularly perform. Maybe it's something about nearing the end of the Mayan calendar. But I just downloaded from my Iphone some good stuff, that I will be posting shortly. Had to share this one. Idiot here, was in Russellville checking on our new friends with Operation Migration. It was an amazing morning. The skies were clear, sun was brilliant. . . And the reflection on the iphone prevented me from having any view of the image on the lcd. I must have hit the wrong button, because I've got a dozen or so pics of Idiot taking pics of himself-obviously by accident.
Every onece in a while I'm a brilliant photographer. Last week, hopefully briefly, I was a brilliant idiot.
idiot of the week
Eurekazone Tracksaw System
Eurekazone Tracksaw System
This odd little business uses nothing but odd little (and big) tools. Some not even close to being used for their intended use. Here's one that, for the most part, is used for it's intended use. Without this Eurekazone track saw system, life would be much more difficult for us. You can go to their website to learn more about it. All I've got to say is, it's awesome. It's versatile. I use it almost every day. It works better than advertised. The support is great, but I rarely need it. I wouldn't want to be without it.
Thank you Dino for your amazing invention.
Eurekazone Tracksaw System
walnut slab console table - day 2
walnut slab console table - day 2
Day 2 of the walnut slab console project shows great progress. To begin with, yesterday I wasn't able to commit that this would become the planned console table. Today, I am confident that it will become a console table. And it will become a beautiful console table.
I was hoping to complete this last table before the end of the year.
At this point we have lots more sanding, as well as attaching the legs to the top, and a few more days of finishing. Looking like this will become the first finished piece of the "SuperNatural". I like the way the new year's looking.
walnut slab console table - day 2
walnut log console table perhaps
walnut log console table perhaps
This (third of a) walnut log is another unusual piece that we recently received from the kiln. This morning, it occurred to me that it might want to be a console table. Certainly one of a kind - since we only have one walnut slab this thick.
It's obvious that this walnut log had sat on the moist ground for quite a while. There is significant rot damage to one side of it. Pictured are our first few steps in preparing a piece like this to become furniture.
Typically, first we use our 20" joiner to square up the first side of the lumber. Since this is more of a log than lumber, it'll be the only side to square in this manor (meaning no planer here). The log is approximately 8' long, 5" to 6" thick, before squareing up.
To clean up the rot, if it's significant, like this is, we typically start with the claw end of a hammer. Removing all the soft deadwood we can. Then move to a screwdriver, drawknife, scraper, or one of several other tools that will work.
Once most of the soft rot is removed (and usually we might not have any rot like this), we move to flapper sanders, either air powered or electric.
walnut log console table perhaps
Louisania kumquat
Louisania kumquat
My favorite gift this year was a small bag of Louisania kumquats. Although they originate from China, these little delicacies are amazing. Poping one at a time, as I walk by the jar has been my tendency for the past few days. They are both really sweet and really tart. The best thing is that most folks around here don't really like them - leaving more for me!!!
I finished them off this morning, taking this pic of the last one.
Our world is full of little wonderful surprises. I'm looking forward to and for many more.
Louisania kumquat
Christmas eve dinner in Alabama
Christmas eve dinner in Alabama
Linda can duplicate most of her Mom's masterful southern meals, including her amazing Christmas spread. This is the "lite" version.
I relish and enjoy learning about the differences in other parts of this country and internationally. And food is usually a good place to start.
I'm really not sure how other areas of this country do "dressing", cranberry relish (ok probably prevalent), sweet potatoes, smoked chicken and turkeys, etc. -- I will say, for the moment at least, it would be difficult to beat this one.
p.s. I was sworn to secrecy re; just whose plate this is in the pic.
Christmas eve dinner in Alabama
The Girl With the dragon Tattoo
The Girl With the dragon Tattoo
What does this have to do with furniture, sustainability, philanthropy, modern, southern or food? Nothing. . . But I loved this movie and kinda fell for this really screwed up very young girl with the dragon tattoo. Ok, i'm over it. I really wouldn't want to take a chance and piss this gal off. Would you? Go see it if you get a chance. I'll be watching it again when it comes to netflix. Great movie.
The Girl With the dragon Tattoo
The last daily steal of the year
The last daily steal of the year
It's Christmas eve and this is our last daily steal of the year. I love this small modern maple bench. The last daily steal of the year. I generally go too heavy, too big, too thick. This is one of the smallest benches I've made, and I think it's a perfect fit.
This Modern Square Edge Maple bench was Clearance priced at $600. I'm feeling quite "jovial" this morning, just before our friends arrive for another wonderful Christmas meal. We only have one of these, and it will go to the first one to email a credit card order of $100. Another $100 will get it shipped anywhere in the country.
It's 30" x 18" x 12", 2.75" thick. Local maple
thick walnut rounds - fresh out of the kiln
thick walnut rounds
Several unique cuts and slices, primarily of walnut recently returned home from the kiln. A few of the 6" thick walnut rounds were in the mix. These are so rare for us, that I'm going to save them for something quite special. But to be honest, at this point, I don't have much of a clue just what to do with them. If you have any thoughts of what to do with these thick walnut rounds within somewhat of a modern aesthetic, I'm all ears.
thick walnut rounds
disaster or beautiful design-charred walnut lumber
disaster or beautiful design
Several years ago, i visited my Amish friend's sawmill. Before we began milling lumber inhouse, he milled our lumber. It was a cold day, and he had a blazing fire pit full of walnut and cherry off cuts. I walked closer, and saw smoke seemingly coming from a stack of just milled lumber. I was shocked to see that a few of the pieces had begun to burn. He told one of his boys to go get a pale of water, and it was put out.
Well, my entire stack of walnut lumber didn't burn to smithereens, so it wasn't a disaster. I'm not sure how this first piece (of what I think my be only a couple??) is going to come out, but at this point, I wish we had let more pieces in the stack char, blacken, organically, naturally rapidly oxidize.
We'll get back to this one right after the first of the year to see just what we have. I'm thinking it might become a "super charred" console table.
(Just before closing for the week/almost year) we put some sandpaper and elbow grease to it, and I was pleased to see that after the loose charcoal fell away, most of the remaining edge remains black, and doesn't seem to be coming off on my hands. Venturing off into new territory, as I seem to regularly if I don't have my trusty gps turned on, we just never know what the day holds.
disaster or beautiful design
Best Early Christmas Present
Best Early Christmas Present
We are celebrating one of the best Christmas presents ever here at the Wade home this Christmas eve morning. Frassy, our 8 mo old golden puppy, surprised us by catching her 5th and 6th frisbees of her brief life.
Thanks O and Mo for the F!
Best Early Christmas Present
oak low table - today's daily steal
oak low table
We only have two days till Christmas, and it's beginning to get a little quiet around the studio (and website). We always end our week here at noon on Fridays, and today, Christmas eve eve is no exception.
I'm hoping Santa's elves aren't as sleepy as you guys seem to have been the last couple of days. Yesterday, you guys were obviously shopping for Ipad 2's or some other tech (or furniture) product, or like me, not doing much shopping at all.
Two day's left till Christmas means only two more daily steals here at RWF. Today we (ok, it's a generous we) are offering one of my fav design styles; The flowing grain leg. This beautiful, thick oak low table has over the top organic lines along with a refined, modern style. There is no visible joinery. And, like all of our furniture, we started with the log, milled it into natural edge lumber, debarked it with a draw knife, allowed it to air dry for years (naturally), before the final kiln drying process.
It was clearance priced at $1000. It's still here, but I'm thinking not for long. Today's daily steal price (today only) is $500. -- Yes, I think Santa is loosing his mind!! Remember, we only have one. Shipping is additional. It wouldn't ship until Tuesday at this point. First one to email an approved credit card # to robinwadefurniture@mac.com gets it.
Wake up sleepy heads! And Happy Holidays. Oh, and don't forget to check back through the day tomorrow. Santa might just totally loose it one more time this year!
oak low table
organic maple bench - today's daily (steal) deal
organic maple bench
55 3/4"L x 14 1/2"H x 11-14"W x 3 1/4" Thick.
First one to email your credit card info to robinwadefurniture@mac.com gets it. Shipping and crating extra.
organic maple bench
Organic Oak Desk - today's daily (steal) deal
Organic Oak Desk - today's daily (steal) deal
I've had a few requests for some larger, more significant pieces on the daily steal. So here you go. This SuperNatural organic oak desk is presently one of my all time favs. It's over the top cool factor has to be seen (or even felt) to appreciate. I think just being in the same room with this one has an amazingly soothing, effect (no guarantees on this part).
But here you go. As always through this Holiday sale, this Daily Deal is good today only. And as always, we only have one. Regular price $5000. Holiday Clearance price $4000. Today only; $3000. First person with an approved credit card emailed in to us gets it. Price does not include shipping and crating. Email: robinwadefurniture@mac.com with questions or order! Happy Shopping!
Organic Oak Desk - today's daily (steal) deal
solid walnut natural edge stair treads
solid walnut natural edge stair treads
This was our first order for stair treads. They are solid, 2 3/4" thick, 60" long. Really very much like making a couple of dozen console table tops. They look great. I'm looking forward to getting pics when the final project is complete. Gosh, not that my memory is slipping, but I'm thinking they are going to Colorado. But, it could be a mountain home in Kansas or Missouri. Better figure this one out before we ship tomorrow.
solid walnut natural edge stair treads
cutting thick walnut rounds with Hendrick Panel Saw
cutting thick walnut rounds with Hendrick Panel Saw
The variety of tools that we use to make my v. of furniture is varied. From computers to design the tables in 3d to screwdrivers and hammers (sometimes to dig the rotten parts out). Here we are using somewhat more traditional means of cutting these thick walnut rounds. It's a Hendrick panel saw. The blade is 16", the round if over 5" thick. Hendrick designed the first panel saw on the market several decades ago. It's really good to see them able to continue their business. They make awesome products for the woodworking industry. And their customer support for their equipment (even though I purchased it second hand) is second to none.
Typically, these panel saws are seen in the cabinet industry, to cut thin panels (of all things).
cutting thick walnut rounds with Hendrick Panel Saw
Oak Club Chair - Tuesday's Daily Deal
Oak Club Chair - Tuesday's Daily Deal
Today's daily deal is a beautiful, modern Oak Club Chair. Although it clearly has minimal modern lines, it was crafted from slabs of a single oak tree. We have a ridiculously low clearance price of $650. But, the first one to bid $400 today gets it. If you have questions, or are ready to bid ($400) send to: robinwadefurniture@mac.com.
Oak Club Chair - Tuesday's Daily Deal
small organic oak desk
small organic oak desk
This is the last piece that we retrieved from the finishing room last week, and, much like her big sister, this one's a beaut. Again, the amber tone of the oak slab is amazing. It's really strange how oak can have so many looks, textures, tones, depth. Depending on the type of oak, the soil condition, the age of the tree when harvested, the amount of sunlight, the types of foliage the sun filters through, maybe the vegitation growing over it's roots, maybe the types of worms that are doing their thing nearby, maybe which birds dropped by for a visit one day, maybe which song they sang. I don't know the why's to most things, but I'm really
One of them will be shipping soon, and will be on display at the upcoming Las Vegas Market in January. Oh, if you are interested, there is quite a bit of history regarding the tree this desk was made from. I enjoy telling the story. Just ask.
