Wood Signs for Woodland Nephews

One of my very favorite friends is going to be Aunt Mel for the second time (this May), and I did a carve+stain+sand on this tree truck cross-section for her to take all the way back to her nephew's nursery, in Sandpoint, ID. 

Painting Repair

Two 36"x42", oil on wood panel portraits recently sold (very happy to say goodbye)! I couldn't send them off without fixing the warped curvature that made them unable to hang or lay flat. In the past, I attached an extra wire to two screws in the offending corners and twisted tight, which eventually was useless. New simple steps: corner brackets, and a 50" screen door turnbuckle. 

Corner brackets in place. This one needed a third hole drilled into center to accamodate the length of the turnbuckle. S hook used to connect.

This worked well for a 42" painting; different sizes are available, or you may have to cut the flat end of the rod with metal clippers where it makes sense. The size/length of the S hook (or other clip) will also make a difference. I think these are 25mm. Tighten in center until the panel is laying flat.

Black Walnut, Classics, and Cold

Happy New Year. This is a photo from 1948 of my grandmother giving my grandfather (not married until 1950) Japanese silk pajamas. My mom stated that it was probably a smoking suit. Dreamy AND fun. In the vein of curious gifts, my parents gave my brother tap shoes for Christmas this year. 

Black walnut tree cross sections from the Anderson Farm in Ohio, made into lovely hangables:

Proof that the new-old 1977 F150 still looks so beautiful even in the snow.

Eventually I hung a white artificial tree from the ceiling by guitar rack, (not realizing the ceiling-tree's sudden popularity) but because it's so logical with annoying pets. This wood ornament was a gift from Collodi, Italy, the town where Pinocchio was from! 

Alexander Peters

A new merch display case for my friend and Annapolis musician Alex Peters. A relief carving of his existing symbol, with several stain coats poured in.  A light distressing all over and a heavy sanding (on parts raised), to darken up that rooster. Where it fell short on stain, I used a little gunpowder to fill in light areas. The current album is exceptional, it was my ipod alarm clock setting for months. Buy a copy here!

Regal Roosts

This is the small [incredible] woodshop I worked with for over a year.  Still taking your custom orders, Regal Roosts is undergoing a slow but steady transition to Arizona. Here is their sparkling new website (via Seven Set Studios).  Specializing in handbuilt, Victorian style, meticulously hand-painted, beautifully distressed, seriously fine crafted birdhouses with ornate, aged copper roofs. These pieces last for years, indoors AND outdoors, (so as to be used properly by birds). Gorgeous garden additions, we also produced extraneous furniture pieces and garden items by request. There's even a shop dog.
Read about the Hursts in the Baltimore Sun, like their fb page, pass this info on to collectors, and remember what spectacular gifts these gems make.

We spent over a year fulfilling high volume orders of several styles for the Frontgate company; find only limited lines through Frontgate right now, but place an order directly through the Hursts, at regalroosts.com for endless color and style possibilities.

Cottage Collection (hanging) and the Diamond Lady series, front

Copper, detail

Hand-painted game table

Series of bottoms, and my all time favorite bottom

Everyone's favorite watermelon house

Faux rust

The Palermo, one of the first Frontgate orders

Custom painted and refinished antique garden cart

Hand-painted chest, turned urn

Doolittle

Tables: Part 1

I refinished my great aunt's telephone table a few seasons ago, and though it is still serving the purpose of yellow in my life, it was long before the time I've spent in a woodshop. My currently convenient  knowledge of dry times paired with clear coat sanding might have prevented the chipping. Still thinking about coating the pulls with tiny broken abalone shells. Look at my shark!

From old scrap particle board (from an old crappy job) came my new favorite table. I've always been partial to the corner table with rounded front. It may not have been the best move to make an outdoor table with less than real wood (I do know better), but I just wanted to put it to decent use, and employed a generous amount of sealant; at least the legs are real. Needing to fill the space on my porch, I forfeited the learning process of continual legs (through tiers) for time. One summer later it looks naturally distressed, reminds me of the Greek flag, and holds my rubber tree plant perfectly.

This small fold-up is my most recent assignment. A very thrifty find from my new favorite antique shop in Annapolis. Several coats of a light and dark blue mixture, while sanding in between the stages for a galactic, layered result. Now I have to decide if a mosaic of foreign coins will still look good lacquered onto the top, (a few beautiful ones from a friend's African journey pictured).

Pete, following his greatest love The Flower.

And by the way.. notice these strange and lovely little cicada soaps, a gift from my aunt!