485 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
27 comments »
(I haven’t done this style of blogging for awhile. With so many new LJ’ers now on this website, I’ve figured most of us don’t want to see these long-winded-folksy style, non-woodworking, rambling, style blogs anymore. But, this is a story about “Hot Air”, so I’ll let a bunch out along with the photos.)
This blog could easily be subtitled: ”Facing Your Fears with Hot Air.”Read on further to find out why.
July 29th, 2008:
I wa...
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543 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
9 comments »
My recent lumberjock postings of the walking cane work I have done recently has brought a lot of interest from folks wanting me to build them special, unique, elaborately detailed, walking canes and sticks.
This new blog communicates the design process on one cane as I prepare to start the carving, and get approvals on the final design.
The customer is a Youth Pastor, and needs to use a tall walking cane to support a bad knee. He and I have been designing this project for several weeks...
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576 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
12 comments »
I think it is really important to constantly try to learn new things. Could just be my ADHD. But, I’m too old for medications, so I take on new things to learn to keep my mind freed-up from boredom.
I just don’t like doing anything the same, more than once, or twice. And, I’ve been trying to find ways to make a niche for myself in the vast internet woodworking world. To that end, I try unique crafts, and do cross-discipline, mixed-media work, in the hopes that my work...
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580 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
10 comments »
This is a walking cane that I am building for a woman in Conneticut.
These photos are meant to show her my progress, and check the conformity with her ideas of what she wanted.
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Specifications:
The wood is black walnut
The handle is Curly Ambrosia Maple, stained “red mahog...
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748 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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778 days ago
by Mark A. DeCou |
16 comments »
I’m in the midst of finishing up a project I have really enjoyed. Sure, it has taken me two times the hours I bid, but I am happy with the result. Actually, it has come out better than I expected, which is always a nice surprise.
This is a functional-art piece I wish I wasn’t selling, to be honest. But, I have already spent all of the down payment. So, giving the money back is not possible, so the customer will get her desk.
There have been a few pieces I wish I could ha...
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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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1013 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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1022 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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1076 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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