I don't think this slab's dry yet
I don't think this slab's dry yet
Just took this quick shot in our parking lot that's been converted to a lumber yard. We cut this slab earlier in the fall, but never got a chance to move it undercover. This mushroom seems to really like the environment around here, but I'm not sure if the slab does.
I don't think this slab's dry yet
The city is finally rethinking our killer low-head dam
The city is finally rethinking our killer low-head dam
I don't know exactly, but it's been around 30 year's since the city, without authorization, built this killing machine of a low-head dam on Cypress Creek. I say approximately 30 year's because it was back in the late '70s - through the early 80's that we held the Great Cypress Creek Raft Race each summer.
We had hundreds of rafter's joining the fun. Mostly locals, but also lots of folks and distant family/friends from all over the country. Then the city built the dam without the proper approvals.
Originally when I first heard rumors of rafter's that were "held under" after falling out of their raft on the lower side of the dam - I didn't really believe them. The next year after the race began, Dad and I ran down to the dam to see for ourselves. Although we saw lots. Lots of beer falling out of coolers - remember it was a dry county then. Lots of partiers on a single raft (seems like First National Bank had over a hundred on one raft-well their accountant promised it was one raft) and lots of other things that was quite interesting to a young college kid. But we didn't see anyone being pulled under.
But we did have contestants every year get hurt. Usually had an ambulance taking someone to the emergency room, but fortunately nothing really serious.
Due to continued reports of the dams "almost killing" our raft race contestants, we finally, after so many years of great fun, had to close the doors to the Great Cypress Creek Raft Race.
But through the years, this illegal low-head dam has become and continued to be a killer. And, now 30 years after the city built it, they are beginning to take a look at how to make it safer.
I personally think they should blow it up, and allow the creek to run free again. Well, at least keep the idea on the table. Really quite amazing that our city council has been able to agree (without their famous two to two tie) on anything.
Cypress Creek is/was one of the best, most beautiful assets we have. Lets work to get it back. The way it was when we were kids. Obviously we have another issue to address here.
The city is finally rethinking our killer low-head dam
The Phil Campbell table
The Phil Campbell table
Very much like the recovery efforts so far in Phil Campbell, kinda like our favorite past time down here, the table making process has begun, but as always has been SLOW.
Here are a couple of pics of the table at this stage of the process. The slabs are right where we left them after milling them into natural edge lumber back in September. They need to air dry until the internal moisture content gets pretty close to 30%, before they'll be ready for the kiln. I did cut them a bit thinner than usual - but they've still got quite a ways to go.
Although this looks like a lot of lumber, possibly similar to the state that Phil Campbell's presently in, the middle of these slabs (the log) was quite rotten. I'm confident that it's going to make an amazingly beautiful piece of functional art - but at this point, it could go one of several directions. Stay tuned.
The Phil Campbell table
Phil Campbell to be showcased on Oprah Tuesday
Phil Campbell to be showcased on Oprah Tuesday
It looks like it's really gonna happen. The OWN network sent a film crew, reporters, producers down here in September and filmed lots of interviews. They said it would be aired after the first of the year. And now, it's looking like it might be true. Our dear friends right down the road in Phil Campbell are needing all the help they can get. Although they received immediate coverage from the major networks right after the April tornadoes, it seems that they have been in limbo lately. Their recovery has been too slow.
And, I think what drew Oprah's interest is very much what drew my own. This odd circumstance of all these folks from around the country and world that are named Phil Campbell - working together to help their namesake town. Thank God for Phil Campbell! And, thank God for Oprah.
Phil Campbell to be showcased on Oprah Tuesday
Red Tails - good movie - Great story for Alabama
Red Tails - good movie - Great story for Alabama
Linda and I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon yesterday, beating the cold windy day with a movie. What a great story of the brave Alabama airmen. But, it just wet my appetite to know more. More about just how this test group of airmen ended up in Tuskegee Alabama.
And the fight scenes were quite amazing.
Alabama gets so much bad press - much of it deserved. I'm the first to point out the idiots in this state. But I'm certainly on the lookout for wonderful, positive stories where Alabama's do the right thing, and sometimes make a difference.
If you haven't seen it yet, this one's more than worth the $7 bucks.
Red Tails - good movie - Great story for Alabama
Google doodle's a message
Google doodle's a message
I haven't before noticed a Google doodle that was so clearly in their self interest. But then again, they aren't saying much - or are they?
Google doodle's a message
love this german take on led
love this german take on led
As I was driving through atlanta's version 2.0 of the american rat race (400), I had a few seconds of peace, enjoying the beautifully simple design of this Audi's parking lights.
love this german take on led
in our workshop today
In our workshop today
Several beautiful "SuperNatural" oak candidates back in the shop today. If they look similar to some we made recently - they should. These three pieces are made also made from the Barton Hall project from 2007.
This second pic is the right half of a slab that had a natural split all the way through this slab. Nature seemed to have wanted the split, and that's the way we are going to leave it - in the form of a dining table top.
I'll try to take more pics as these pieces progress.
in our workshop today
Google celebrates Martin Luther King with a Doodle
Google celebrates Martin Luther King with a Doodle
American Made products on the rise in Atlanta
American Made products on the rise in Atlanta
American Made products on the rise in Atlanta
Before the show this morning, I stopped by the American Made section of vendors in building 3. There's a wonderful growing emphasis, demand, and support of the much needed segment of our economy. Within the American Made section, I found Michelle, who is more than doing her part. Great work Michelle. I'm looking forward to seeing you and your artists on the tour.
Atlanta market registration has been slammed
Atlanta market registration has been slammed
Every time I've tried to walk through the lobby of the Americas Mart (building 1) registration has been slammed. Don't know if this is a good thing, but I've heard of buyer's waiting as long as an hour to register. Obviously, preregistering should speed this up to a few minutes.
But there's plenty of excitment in the air. Lot's of buyers. Also hearing of many vendors already sold out.
Looking like the start to a great year! Just be sure to pre-regester and the coast should be clear.
Atlanta market registration has been slammed
ShawLiving's beautiful Atlanta showroom
ShawLiving's beautiful Atlanta showroom
It's great to be back in the beautiful ShawLiving showroom. Our SuperNatural collection is a great fit up here on the 6th floor, building 1 of the Americas Mart. Although ShawLiving is a huge company, we surprisingly have a lot in common. We are both Southern. We are both American Made. And we both very environmentally / sustain ably focused.
As you walk around the corner of the 6th floor, you can't missed this SuperNatural organic oak Sofa in the window. Be sure to stop by if you're in town.
ShawLiving's beautiful Atlanta showroom
Organic oak tables - in process
Organic oak tables - in process
Wednesday morning I stopped by the studio for a couple of hours before driving to Atlanta. These are the two pieces that we have in process at the time. Both good candidates for the SuperNatural collection. Both 
Organic oak tables - in process
Amy Flurry's "Recipe for Press"
recipe for press
I think it was the first couple of days of the year, we enjoyed several Alabama sun filled days of r&r and got caught up on some reading. The first book I dove into was in preparation of Amy Flurry's upcoming presentation in Atlanta Sunday. In her new book, "Recipe for Press" Amy shares invaluable "secrets" that small I can't imagine wouldn't benefit any small business or artist attempting to build their brand and communicate with the press.
This is probably nothing new to PR agencies. The information Amy shares is the primary reason (I believe) that businesses hire PR agencies. But there are so many of us that can't afford to add significant additional expenses to our marketing budgets - particularly these last few years.
Amy's unique combination of insight as an experienced, accomplished 18 year freelance writer along with willingness and ability to share, makes for a sweet read
She shares wonderful examples of how other small artists/businesses have succeeded, most if not all of whom seem to have a southern drawl.
I've marked and highlighted the heck out of the book. Now I need to go back through it to build a game plan of just how to modify our marketing campaign's approach. My only concern is that I may not have any spare time to spare for this much needed - well - recipe.
Oh, also on the agenda is to attend Amy's presentation Sunday. Thanks again Amy for sharing this insightful, amazingly valuable wisdom.
recipe for press
back to work
Our slow studio has been in an uncomfortably high gear. Preparing and publishing the monoLOG. Preparing and sending a few press releases. Building some Super, SuperOrganic tables - primarly oak desks recently. Completeing, crating and shipping one of these SuperCool desks along with a couple more benches to Las Vegas for the upcoming market in a few weeks.
January and February are looking to be our busiest month's of the year. Here's how my ICal explain's it.
Do you believe in the SuperNatural?
Do you believe in the SuperNatural?
I generally think of myself as an "open minded skeptic". But recently, I've been experiencing incidents that seem to lean toward the SuperNatural.
We just came in from a nearby park where Sassafras retrieved a ton of frisbees. The SuperNatural occurance is that she caught her 11th and 12th frisbees of her 8 months of existance on the 1st day of the 1st month of 2012! I'm becomeing a believer. Could there be a Mayan connection?
Do you believe in the SuperNatural?
Bruce Foreman discusses planned Phil Campbell memorial
Bruce Foreman discusses planned Phil Campbell memorial
Great to see the positive attitude of the residents of the small devastated community. Here Bruce Foreman of Phil Campbell discusses the devastated community as well as the plan for their memorial park that's in progress. Want to help? They'll be needing it for years.
Bruce Foreman discusses planned Phil Campbell memorial
More odd walnut cuts out of the kiln
More odd walnut cuts out of the kiln. Another catch up post from last week in the studio. Another section of oddball off cuts from the walnut milling operation a few years ago. Recently receiving them from the kiln. I keep playing with them, but in general I don't have a game plan for them. My first thought is to try to use a few of them as legs. This larger slab is the right size to become a console table leg. There's a fine line between organic and the old western look (that I'm not very interested in). Organic with minimal modern lines is my preferred path.
We'll see how / if all these odd super rustic off cuts make their way into future furniture pieces?? If you have ideas, I'd love to hear!
More odd walnut cuts out of the kiln
Chat-N-Chew Phil Campbell has wifi
Chat-N-Chew Phil Campbell has wifi
Seems like anytime we meet with someone in Phil Campbell, it will either be in the Chat-N-Chew or next to it. Phil Campbell is such a wonderful small Southern community, but really so small, that almost anywhere you are going (as far as I can tell) in Phil Campbell, you might as well park at the Chat-n-Chew. I just love these authentic, old dives.
I was amazed to see that it now has wifi!!! I'll plan on bringing my laptop and hang out and maybe post a few blog posts from ground zero.
Right here, just to the left of Chat N Chew - to this side of the water tower, is where the upcoming Civilian Park will be located. Wonderful to see the continued support of this community. But we really haven't scratched the surface. We were amazed, driving into town seeing all of the continued devastation. So much more work to do. I'm afraid it will take years + to get our friends to the south back up on their feet.
Marketing at the Carmike Theatre
Marketing at the Carmike Theatre
We don't get to the movie theatre often, but after being totally enthralled with the gal with the tattoo, we gave it another shot the other day. Don't know what I was thinking. We purchased tickets for Mission Impossible, thinking - well I don't know. But we got up and left within a few minutes. Looking around at the next one beginning, and "We bought a zoo" seemed to be a decent choice. Maybe if we had kids. Nice little story, but not really for me.
Well, the one thing I really appreciated was the Coke and popcorn video with amazing sound of bubbles and carbination and ice and fizz and popping and butter, and salty from all directions. These theatre guys are marketing genius. Now that Steve J.'s not around, I'm looking for my next marketing mentor. I don't think it's gonna be Carmike, but they do have Coke and popcorn marketing to a science. -- I say that, and as I type, I realize that I didn't buy either. But I did hear plenty of chomping and slurping going on AFTER the commercial was over.