http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog Handcrafted studio furniture that can live with you. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:03:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We've been invited to a showing at the Artisan Gallery in Sacramento. Please come if you can. We will have most of our pieces on the floor, along with the work of several other talented artists. The gallery has a café located inside and there will also be live music ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/09/artisan-gallery/ With a slowdown in commissions comes an opportunity to get caught up with show pieces, tool tune-ups, and general back-burner projects. It is easy to blame the economy for slowdowns, but in over 30 years of work, there have always been ups and downs. It is time to reflect on ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/08/on-the-horizon/ This week's post is a commission of an arts and craft style island. The most prominent features of this island are the 4" thick (16⁄4) hardrock maple posts. After the joints are cut (to receive the panels), the outsides are roughed on the bandsaw and routed to a jig for ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/06/working-on-an-island/ We have three exciting designs on going. First, the carving of the Lord Baltimore is the fifth and quite likely the final piece in a nature series of cabinets. This will be painted but because of the delicacy of the leaves and petals, the wood choice is hardrock maple. Slow going, ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/06/three-new-projects/ The completed office set of matching computer desk and writing desk. The pair offers different functions with the same detailing, and matching veneers were part of the requirements. Several thicknesses of solid walnut were used: 4⁄4, 8⁄4, 12⁄4, 16⁄4. We used both manufactured plywood and custom-veneered plywood made in the shop ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/06/walnut-desk-carved-and-ready/ The fourth piece in our accent line is complete. Rustic and relaxed, the '09 Cab is a snapshot of our local winery culture. El Dorado county is recognized as an American Viticultural Area and we felt the urge to pay homage to the wonderful sights of expansive vineyards and their ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/05/09-cab-ready-to-rack/ I've begun work on the fifth and probably final piece in our accent line. Using the same case shape, this piece will feature hand-carved hibiscus flowers. Alder frames bisect the carvings and each carved pane is maple for extra resilience. We've had the Lord Baltimore hibiscus flowers in our garden ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/05/lord-baltimore-proto/ Occasionally I like to step away from furniture making. This departure, simply called 'Rainbow,' was dreamt up, drawn up and started to get roughed out longer ago than i care to remember. I kept this covered and protected for many years until the time was right to complete the handwork. ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/05/rainbow/ I would like to take this opportunity to thank and introduce my computer guru. Please meet my youngest son, Eric. He is responsible for all things technology at Robert Howard Studios. From website creation to postcard design/layout to integrating software with our CNC router, he makes it possible for you ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/05/tech-savvy/ For the next accent piece design we are taking the grape motif from the the gate and applying it in a smaller scale. We had the opportunity to purchase a small (2' x 2') CNC machine nearly ten years ago which has made this project much more approachable. By taking ... http://roberthowardwoodworker.com/blog/2009/04/grape-cabinet-cnc-mill/