747 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
15 comments »
A Scrimshaw Art Journey: A Lumberjock’s “Short Version” of the Techniques for Decorating a Powder Horn
by: Mark A. DeCouwww.decoustudio.com
(This writing, photos, and artwork are protected by copyright by M.A. DeCou 11-11-2007, all rights reserved, please ask permission before using any part or component.)
Commerical Note: I get quite a few emails about how to buy my scrimshaw work. Most of my scrimshaw art and powder horns are done on commission, and take several...
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823 days ago
by Douglas Bordner |
14 comments »
This week’s visit is to the shop of Mark Decou in the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas. I grew up in Kansas, and fished and hunted on “the old home place” not far from Mark’s neck of the woods. Big sky, broad vistas, rolling prairie hills with flint and limestone outcrops, farmsteads with Osage Orange hedgerows and babbling creeks. Plenty of serene space to contemplate the meaning of one’s existence.
And contemplative is a natural adjective for Mark. He has done m...
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934 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
25 comments »
I am so excited this morning. Why you ask?
I’m complete with the St. Anthony Church Side Altar commission project. I have more work to do on other pieces for the church by the end of the month. So, there isn’t much time to take a breath yet, but the completion of the Side Altars is a huge milestone for me, and my woodworking career.
To be honest, there were some times that I wondered if I would ever get all of the details of these Altars complete. Total working time is a...
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986 days ago
by scottb |
10 comments »
Now I have a pair of tongs and a pair of spurtles right next to the stove. Why do I seem to be making my own tools in pairs?
At least I think I’ll get more use out of the tongs than the (so far unused) spurtles. At least they were educational when I was learning how to turn them!
I won’t stop at two tongs though. I have a pair of whisk style tongs with plastic handles that have broken. I should be able to epoxy the business end of the tool into a matching oak handle. The...
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1012 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
11 comments »
I wanted to tell a little more about my experience with crafting my own crown molding, and share a couple of lessons I learned along the way.
Previously, I showed how I formed and sanded the profile on the last blog of this topic, and so today I thought I would complete the task by showing the installation of the molding, and a few “gems” I discovered along the way.
First off, I made very sure that my cabinet that I am hanging this crown molding on was as perfectly square on...
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1021 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
7 comments »
My wife is gone for a few hours this Saturday morning, and the kids are busy watching a video, so I will update you on what I am working on now. I’m right in the middle of a “fun” project. It is “fun” on many levels, mostly because I have had to stop and scratch my head a lot.
For those of you with kids, or remember having kids, or know someone who has kids, Winnie the Pooh always says, “Think, think, think” while poking his temple when he is try...
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1062 days ago
by scottb |
2 comments »
The two spurtles I made last fall in a woodturning class. The top one is oak the bottom is cherry. Both are finished with walnut oil, and so far remain unused. I’ve only seen Alton Brown over on the Food Network use one to make oatmeal, or perhaps it was haggis. I just don’t seem to make enough of either to neccessitate two spurtles!
The turner, my brother-in-law liberated from a broken cutting board. Maple.
I posted this entry pretty much verbatim over at wordpress (oh ...
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1064 days ago
by scottb |
3 comments »
Back in my lumberjocks interview, I mentioned one of my lifelong goals was to fill the house with useful items made by myself, as well as other artists and artisans. (while paring down all the cheaply made, hand-me-down, and mass manufactured items)
Here’s a quick first look at how things have been shaping up over the past several years.
My wifes cousin, Tim made these pottery bowls as a wedding gift, even stamped them with his own chop (signature) before firing and glazing. T...
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1075 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
3 comments »
I have been waiting for several weeks for the arrival of the Church Altar that I am to copy and make two Side Altars to match. The Altar was delivered to my shop this past Saturday, and I am told that the down payment check is in the mail.
Of course, the Altar looked smaller in the big church room. And, I started to “cold-sweat” a little looking at the task before me. I like new projects that have elements that make me sweat and worry, so this is right up my alley, so to spe...
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1111 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
4 comments »
I am so excited, I just received a call this evening that my bid on the church Side Altars has been accepted. I will start the detail design, material acquisition and planning this week, and will get started on building the project around Thanksgiving, with a 12-14 week schedule expected.
Thanks,Mark
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