The great thing about making these mugs is I get to use the Art I had no use for after college. I wasted a degree ,or I thought , for 40 years. I’ve made over 200 since loosing my job a year ago due to a shoulder injury. Some may argue that this is Art, but I get to express my ideas in a form most of the recipients seem to appreciate. Isn’t that whats its all about? This friend is a diesel mechanic who likes Harley’s. Thanks for looking.

Had this small block of dark chocolate Walnut just sitting on a shelve forever. Probably picked it up or moved 100 times knowing someday it would find a home. A friend that works for UPS and wears nothing but brown asked me to make him a Beer mug. Bingo! The sap wood has worm holes and I couldn’t make myself cut it out, besides how do you make UPS attractive? Delivered it yesterday over a beer and got 4 more orders. My logos are not stencils but about 3 hours of burning. Even though I don’t like to paint or dye my wood, the customers like it to be original. Thanks for looking.

I had alot of fun doing this one. No logo’s and no handle. I designed it so the right or left hand fits perfectly around the mug. May just keep this one myself. I said I would try something similar to Greg’s box designs. By no means am I comparing it to the beauty of his boxes but this was fun. Now I really respect the work he puts in his boxes.Sometimes you just do something new. The wood is Paduk and hard maple.

I’ve been away from posting for awhile and thought since the weather is finally cooperating I’d post some outdoor mugs. Made 2 of these for a friends sons who are riders. I have been busy gearing my shop to do jewelry boxes, gammon boards and cases .I have finally taken the time to research the jigs, fixtures and out feed tables everyone has posted . For those of you who are always trying to reinvent the wheel, take the time to check out what has been shared here. I have over 40 years of finish trim, stair cases,wine cellars and I learn something here each time I research a project. Thanks to all and I hope I can share my knowledge to any who ask. I’m trying to venture out with new stuff but guess I’m a mug man by heart.

I’ve been away for awhile gearing up to do some shows but just had to add this to my post. Its quarter sawn white oak and the logo took about 4 hours to do. Its for a Riders Charity Benefit, hope you can see the Amvets logo mixed in with the body. Not a good caption , had to take a pic at benefit because I forgot(old age showing) to at shop. Well back to work, is this Easter? Just kidding! Looking forward to showing my new stuff to the jocks. Greg, I’m working on a mug design inspired by one of your boxes.Thanks for looking.

This is my last Mug for awhile. It’s made of cherry, oak and the handle is a piece of a spalted oak I had laying around. Not big enough for a project but it fits the theme. Due to a shoulder injury and being 65, I have been forced to retire. I’ve been a high end finish carpenter most of my life and have worked on many one of a kind projects. I’ve been very fortunate to have the independence from factory work as well as being tied down in an office all day. Most of my family worked doing the thing I avoided and they are retired with good pensions and travel when and where they want. I could probably go play golf and travel some but I’ve always wanted to sell my work (versus giving away) and love being in my shop. So ole’ Danal will be starting what I always wanted to try, Art and Craft Shows. I have always built Jewelry boxes for Christmas and birthday gifts but never more than one a time. I also like doing Backgammon, chess boards and I’ll do some mugs as well. My girlfriend( I posted some of her work) has encouraged me and is helping me with my display. So the next few months are going to be designing and refining what I will be doing for my next career. Most of my work is my designs but I am open for ideas and welcome suggestions and support. I will post some of my new things when available as well as redoing my shop. I will still have time to look at everyones work and thoughts but all my time will be in the shop. Thats not a bad thing! Thanks

She names all her designs.They are hand carved and most finished with Maloff. She is doing the Florida shows this month and as of this morning has done very well. Even with temps in low 60’s. She inspires me to work harder and I’m retired. Whats wrong with that picture?

I do a lot of specialty mugs and disregard the logo if your not a fan. I thought I’d show a couple of my burnings. I use only one tip and the black is about 3000 or so dots. Most of my mugs are segmented and this one was a special graduation gift. My girlfriend and I share a shop together, her hand carved wooden purses are displayed and sold nationally. Her work is beautiful. She is in Miami doing the Coconut Grove show this weekend and I’m here babysitting our dog. Ha! I’ll post one of her purses if anyone interested. Thanks for looking.

My last piece of Chestnut!

A few of my mixed mugs. Mostly oak, maple, cherry and walnut. My mugs ,to date, are of these species mainly because of my years building stairs, mantels ,wine cellars and such. I have boxes of cutoffs that most use for firewood and my stock is getting very low. My images are done with a burner one dot at a time. I try to keep paint and stain off my work but it has its place I guess. Thanks for looking.

Although I mostly make mugs, I’m a big fan of unusual Jewelry keepsake boxes. I made some of these for
Christmas and birthday gifts, as well as selling in some local Shows, a few years back. I got idea from an old Woodworker magazine. It has a dove tailed spline in the bottom that you have to slide to open. The handle is opitional but I like it with it on. Thanks for looking.

Don’t see boards this big anymore. Had 3 walnut and 4 cherry and all have beautiful grain and rays. Last one and not sure how to use it. Unfortunately they plain under 3/4 so a table top is out any suggestions. Thanks for looking.

Scrap is only a piece of beautiful wood saved from the fireplace and an excuse to have a drink. Here’s to ya!

My doctor is a die hard SL baseball fan. Is bartering legal were you come from!!!!! I said I would post some of my favorite mugs, hope I don’t offend anyone with this one. Tell me your favorite team and I may have one of it. I don’t stencil but use a pointed tip burner, takes about 3 hours of pecking but that’s why I’m anal with a D. This is made of Lacewood. Thanks for looking.

Thanks to the artists who posted there pics and notes, you’ve inspired me to finally build something I’ve always wanted to tackle. Start with the end in mind is the key to making one of these projects. Made of Walnut,Sycamore, Hard Maple and Spalted Maple for handles. I will be building more of these. Thanks for looking.

Yes, I do make other things then Beer Mugs but not much on photos,I’ll work on that! This is made of very old 24” wide walnut and cherry that sit in my barn for years. Had to plane to 5/8” because of cupping. Broke my heart to have to rip to fit my plainer. Dim. are 24×46x24 high. The top pic should be on here but was to dark.

Haven’t been on site for awhile, shop (Happy Place) has had my full attention lately. I have some new mugs I’ll post soon, also doing a backgammon board and will post some progress if I can figure out this new computer. I share my shop with the most talented woodcarver I know and she a makes beautiful things. Maybe she will let me post one of her items.

I’ve been very busy with my work lately and haven’t spent much time here. I have more mugs to post soon, even though no 2 are alike, they may get old to everyone. The benefit mug was a donation and was auctioned off.Seems like we work harder on projects when its for a good cause!

Walnut,Cherry and Padauk. Shot glass a plus! Sorry about the shadow, couldn’t get out of Pic

a lot of left over small maple,oak and walnut pieces.