| This blog is written by Mark A. DeCou | 116 entries so far |
-
Country Life Update: New Co-Op Gallery, The Pledge Kept, Learning to Ride, Shipping, & Fishing
This is really just a Misc. Hodgepodge of Stuff Today, Nothing but a Country Life Update. New ...
-
The Ants and the Fire – A True Story from my Woodshop
This Blog entry has nothing to do with woodworking, other than it involves firewood, my woodshop ...
-
Art for Life, Buying Handmade, The Economy Optimist, & a website called "buyhandmade.org"
I’m sort of sad this week. It’s just frustrating to me, what is happening now. In t...
-
Selling Your Crafts & Art on the Internet: My new Strategy with Crosslinked Lumberjocks & Etsy.com
There is an ongoing debate about whether Lumberjocks should be the focus of a marketing plan by p...
-
Making Technology Progress into the Wildblue, in the Midst of an Economic Crisis and Bailouts
I was tracking back hits to my website this morning, and one of them came from my previous blog. ...
-
Internet Business, and A Visit from Father Hein, Who was Checking Progress on His Commissioned Work
Dealing with Internet Business:I haven’t had much time to blog this year. Blogging is fine...
-
Progress Photos: Building Rachel's Woodie Hoop (round wood toy inspired by a hoola hoop)
With all of the “Hoopla” associated with my recent blog, and Quixote's Project postin...
-
Hat Making Tools: New Rounding Jacks with the newly designed brass blade holders
This is a short blog, I hope, to show some work I was able to get built this week in the shop for...
-
Design Sketch: Carved Long Eagle Feathers on a Walking Cane , with Two Handle Options
If you are just surfing through the internet about Walking Canes and found this posting, and you ...
-
Design Sketch: Crazy Horse Carved Walking Cane with Trailing Feathers, Antler Handle, and Scrimshaw
If you found this page by searching for something related to Native American Indian Carved Walkin...
-
Plans for Making A Wooden Hoola Hoop for a 7 Year Old Girl - By Rachel DeCou
This blog entry today is somewhat woodworking related, and the content has mostly been provided b...
-
A Bit of Rambling about a Beautiful Sunny Day, and Being Bummed Out about A Stolen Knife
I awoke this morning to a dreary, cold, very foggy day. I don’t mind fog, my morning com...
-
Design Sketch: Dress Walking Cane, Mexican Bocote, Elk Antler, Silver, & Elephant Ivory with Inlays
If you are just surfing through the internet about Walking Canes, and you want to see some actual...
-
Design Sketch: Walking Thumb Stick made from a Birch Sapling and Antler with Inlay & Scrimshaw
If you are just surfing through the internet about Walking Canes, and you want to see some actual...
-
Concept Sketch: President Barak Obama Carved Bust Top Political Figure Collector Cane
Another short Blog entry to post a concept sketch of a President Barak Obama Walking Cane. This ...
-
Design Sketches: "Welsh-Inspired" Market Crook Stick with Carved Border Collie Herding Dog
UPDATE 10-23-2008: This stick has been finished, you can see the project posting here or click th...
-
Hat Making Tool: Prototypes #1 & #2 of the DeCou Studio Formillon and Conformer
Update 2-19-2009: For photos of the restored Maillard Conformateur & Formillon For phot...
-
Design Sketch: Folk-Art Walking Cane with Carved Face of Christ, in Figured Bubinga, Antler Handle
This blog entry is to post a concept sketch for a custom walking cane for customer approval. I...
-
A New Persective on my Business; A Hot Air Balloon Tour of the Kansas Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie
(I haven’t done this style of blogging for awhile. With so many new LJ’ers now on th...
-
Design Sketches for an American Eagle Carved Walking Cane for an Injured Iraqi War Air Force Veteran
If you are just surfing through the internet and want to see some actual canes I’ve carved,...
-
Progression Photos on the "The Greatest Story Ever Told" Walking Cane Project
Realizing that the story and photos of this walking cane project are decidedly Christian in conte...
-
Designing a Prototype Wooden Curling Iron for custom Hatmakers to curl up the edge of Hat Brims
”Wood meets Felt” aka “Woodworker Meets Hatmakers” I’ve been try...
-
Destroying a Miracle: An ME Paying Some Respect to the EE's (only slightly woodworking related)
This blog is photo-less. I haven’t done many blogs without photos before. I was takin...
-
Planning "Steps" for a Carved Story Stick, "The Gospel" Commissioned Walking Cane
My recent lumberjock postings of the walking cane work I have done recently has brought a lot of ...
-
Whitetail Deer Antler Walking Cane Handle with Silversmithing Work
This is a walking Cane handle that I am working on for a commissioned cane. The Antler has an en...
-
Trying my big hairy hands at Silversmithing Work, first photos of my 4th project
I think it is really important to constantly try to learn new things. Could just be my ADHD. Bu...
-
A Few Progress Photos on a Walnut/Maple Walking Cane with Scrimshaw
This is a walking cane that I am building for a woman in Conneticut. These photos are meant to...
-
A Few Progress Photos on a new Irish-Heritage, Shamrock Spirit, Carved Face Walking Cane
UPDATE 5-2-2008: You can see the finished cane in this project posting: - – - –...
-
Being Freed Up. Seeing wood and woodworking in a new light.
Ok, I promised myself and my wife that I would quit typing so much and work in the shop more. So...
-
Lumberjocks website brings in sales for me, Finally!
The topic of making money with woodworking related things on the internet has been a long and tho...
-
"Scrimshaw Techniques" Book by Jim Stevens is Now Ready For Sale
A few weeks ago I blogged that a new book on Scrimshaw artwork was being authored by Jim Stevens ...
-
Transforming a Kitchen Cookbook Nook
I have a client that lives close to me, and we have had a lot of fun designing and building thing...
-
A Great Antler Tip Writing Pen Tutorial To View
In this wide world, you just never know how different things will connect us together. Throw in ...
-
Why I Don't Build "Mission"; Showing Support for the Studio Furniture Movement
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -——- – - ...
-
A few Ice Storm Photos Today (not much else to do)
Debbie asked about some photos of the ice storm. So, I made it out to the mailbox, and took phot...
-
Breaking the 1000 Post Barrier, without Electricity. What?
I finally made it. I remember the sweeeeet days when I was the number one posting member of the ...
-
Tonight, I Finished My Second Custom Steak Knife Set. Is it the Last?
It’s been a long week, but I am excited to say that I just finished up the 2nd Steak Knife ...
-
Progress Update on the Custom Steak Knife Commission Project
Hey folks, the Wife is in town getting a piece of glass for the top of my knife display box, and ...
-
Confirmation on the order for the Custom Steak Knife Sets
Well, after being excited, then not, then excited, then not, and then excited, and then not, for ...
-
How To Build Your Own Powder Horn; Some Simple Steps w/ Photos of Finished Scrimshaw Covered Horns
Birth of a Powder Horn 101: A Lumberjock’s “Short Version” to Crafting A Powder...
-
A Scrimshaw Art Journey: What it is & How to Do it; Five Simple Steps to Success
A Scrimshaw Art Journey: A Lumberjock’s “Short Version” of the Techniques for D...
-
Jim Stevens' "Scrimshaw Techniques" Book going to Print: and I'm going to be in the BOOK!
Many folks over the past year have emailed me asking about whether investing in a website was wor...
-
Samples Shipped for a Custom Steak Knife Set; with Antler Handles, Scrimshaw and Inlay work.
For the past 14 months, I have waited patiently to see if my investment in a prestigious national...
-
Sharing Photos of a "Great Celebration" Mass Service; From the Church Furniture Commission Project
For several months during 2007, I had the privilege of building several pieces of commissioned fu...
-
Building a Carved Functional-Art Chair to Match the Tilt Front Desk
I’ve had a fun week. I’m building a chair to match the Tilt Front Desk that I previo...
-
Making Your Own Hardware, a Hammered Copper Finger Pull for the Tilt Front Laptop Computer Desk
Over the past few years, I have had the chance to build my own door handles out of copper for sev...
-
Airbrushing my Birger Sandzen-Inspired Carving for the Tilt-Front Laptop Computer Desk
I’m in the midst of finishing up a project I have really enjoyed. Sure, it has taken me tw...
-
Relief Carving My Birger Sandzen-Inspired Desk Door Panel, A step-by-Step Log.
I hesitate to do this, that which I am about to do. I don’t fancy myself as a good carver,...
-
Hmmm? Requesting Inspiration for Antique Wagon Wheels.
This week I came up with this axle and wheels from an old antique wagon. I have another set of w...
-
Tilt Front Laptop Computer Desk with Carved Front Artwork Inspired by the late-Birger Sandzen
Several have asked about what I am working on now, so I thought I would take a minute and post so...
-
Going Pro Part 2: Are you a Pioneer? You'll Need that Spirit.
Going full time at working with your woodworking tools is quite a daunting task. It was, and sti...
-
Going Pro Part 1: Are you so Impassioned you can't stand it? Did you Consider........
Over in the Forum, there is a question about Going Pro with woodworking, and what should be consi...
-
"Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner"; a Scrimshaw Art Demonstration at the Senior Center
About a month ago I received a phone call asking if I would demonstrate the Art of Scrimshaw at t...
-
Kansas State Fair 2007 Summary of my Entries
I took most of the day of today and traveled to Hutchinson, KS to see the exhibits and check on m...
-
Summer 2007 DeCou Lumberjock Picnic; and Looking towards a 2008 Big Event
Wow, it has been a couple of weeks since the Lumberjocks Picnic at my place on 8-10-2007. I want...
-
Joining the Computer Age: Learning Sketchup
I first heard of SketchUp during the Thorsen Table Challenge. Someone had done some cool drawing...
-
Final Morning: Mid-West Lumberjocks Lallapoluzza!
I couldn’t sleep well last night. Lots to do, and as usual, it ain’t going to all ge...
-
The Party is Growing: Joel Tille is coming, More Plans for the DeCou-site Lumberjock Picnic
I was out in the yard planting two little maple trees and the “wife” called from the ...
-
Why Some "Pine" May Not Be The Right Wood For Some Outdoor Furniture In Some Areas, Some of the Time
I have a great friend that is learning to do woodworking. He has been working hard at it the pas...
-
Gearing Up for A Lumberjocks Picnic in August
I’m so excited, Karson is on the way to see me on Friday. He left Delware Tuesday, and is ...
-
4th (Final) Update on the St. Anthony Hymn Number Board
This week, I’ve been finishing up the Hymn Number Board for the St. Anthony Catholic church...
-
3rd Update on the Hymn Number Stand
I had a nice weekend. Saturday I worked with a local cabinet maker helping him catch up on his s...
-
2nd Update on the Church Hymn Number Board Commission Project
Today, Monday, I took photos of what I have accomplished on my Hymn Number Board that I am buildi...
-
Work Progress on my current Commission for the St. Anthony Church in Strong City, KS
I have received some correspondence lately asking about what I am doing right now in the shop. S...
-
Important New Tool Added to the Shop for Summer
Just a quick note to show a photo of an important new addition to the shop. Last Fall a neighbor...
-
Anyone want Cedar Wood?
The other day I posted a couple of projects where I used some reddish-white wood, that we around ...
-
You call that a "Vacation"?
Wow, I’m not sure that I’ve ever been so tired after a two week vacation before. In ...
-
A Kansas Lumberjock Offical Meeting at Kev's Place
After reading Martin’s blog yesterday about all of us having some lumberjock club meetings,...
-
Developing Authentic Expectations While Working With Commission Customers
I have moved this information over from the Church Lectern project as I think it cleans up the Pr...
-
Dustless Sanding (really!): Rigging up your own vacuum system with the Porter Cable Model 333
The hardest dust for me to breathe is the fine stuff that comes out of the orbital sander. I hav...
-
Casket Interior and Delivery
After a set of long days and late nights, I had the joy of taking the Mission Style Casket to me...
-
A Second Experience in Building a Burial Casket (aka Thorsen Table Challenge Entry)
A few weeks ago I blogged that my next commission project would be a Mission Style Casket for my ...
-
Bringing Light to Aging Eyes (updated 5-22-2007 w/Flashlight Ordering Information)
Dimming Eyesight:A hard topic for some of us, but as we enter our 40-something years, most of us ...
-
Seeking Advice from the Rustic Makers on Lumberjocks
Hey rustic makers. I piddle around with natural sticks once in awhile, but have never spent the ...
-
A Visit from "Kev", a Fellow Lumberjock
Yesterday, I enjoyed an afternoon of getting to know a fellow lumberjock, “Kev”, othe...
-
Commissioned Church Side Altars Complete!
I am so excited this morning. Why you ask? I’m complete with the St. Anthony Church Sid...
-
End of April Update, with a Diversified Methodology for running an art-based business
Wow, 19 days since I last blogged. What have I been doing? Working has been on the forefront of...
-
Plans Laid for the Next Project: A Mission Style Casket
I’ve been pretty BLOG quiet lately. I have used about all of the computer time I could get...
-
Gaining Strength in the Valley of "March"
Hey lumberjocks. I have received quite a few emails and blog comments that my mouthy presence on...
-
Man I hate Dial-up!
I just spent the past 2 hours writing and proofreading my latest blog entry about how things are ...
-
A Welcomed Warm Spring Day During a Rough Week
March in Kansas can go from Snow to Tornadoes and back pretty quickly, sometimes in the same day....
-
Fun Inlay Options: Adding Decorative Elements, Taking a Project Further
I was totally content being tied with Ethan on the number of blogs tonight, heck, I was out some ...
-
The M&M Files: Sorting Through the Nuts in Life (not woodworking related)
During each trip to get groceries, my wife likes to buy 2-3 bags of Mountain Trail Mix at Walmart...
-
On the Mend: The Gall Bladder is Gone
It has been an interesting couple of weeks. I haven’t felt like sitting up at the computer...
-
Thoughts on the Hollow Chisel Mortising Machine (updated 11-14-2007)
In a recent Blog by Obi, he discussed using a router to cut mortises, and this started up a discu...
-
Running for the Light: What to do with “Pop’s” Tools?
I was reading Ethan’s blog this morning, and it pricked something in my heart that has been there...
-
Surprised by a New Lumberjocks Shirt
I was thrilled this week to get a surprise packet in the mail. Martin sent me a new lumberjocks ...
-
Hanging Homemade Crown Molding: Suffering Through Mistakes & Learning Life's Lessons.
I wanted to tell a little more about my experience with crafting my own crown molding, and share ...
-
Joining the Fellowship: What this Lumberjocks Stuff is Really About
Ethan’s latest blog got me to thinking (scary huh?). I started to comment in his blog, t...
-
Simply Waiting to Be Miraculously Discovered; Learning Lessons Along the Journey.
I was reading some of the supportive comments to my blog yesterday, and the offer to pray for my ...
-
Business Plan Counseling Summary
I made my second visit to the college to get business plan advice today. The counselor that help...
-
Crown Molding: Crafting Your Own Trim
My wife is gone for a few hours this Saturday morning, and the kids are busy watching a video, so...
-
Last day to Vote!
During the last lumberjocks competition in the summer, once I saw Karson’s cradle and read ...
-
Headed in for Business Plan Assistance
This afternoon I have an appointment with a professor at the University who volunteers his help w...
-
The Woodworking Show in Kansas City 2007 (M.A. DeCou copywrite 2-5-2007)
Wow, what a great weekend. A two night stay alone with my wife, one night in a hotel, the second...
-
Posting Competition
This morning I was shocked to see that I slipped down the list so far in the number of postings. ...
-
Voting in the Winter Competition
Wow: I just cast my votes in the winter competition, and it was a pure joy. The programming behi...
-
Seeing the Timelessness of Gustav’s Vision Updated 1-19-2007
“Girls and Typing,” and “The Wee Little Craftsman Style Kid’s Desk”; Seeing the Timelessness of G...
-
Craftsman vs. Mission vs. Arts & Crafts, and a lot of rambling and pontificating thrown in.
I’m All Confused; What’s up with this Mission vs. Craftsman vs. Arts & Crafts Stuff? (M.D. De...
-
Lumberjocks Website is Driving Hits to my business website 1-11-2007
This blog entry tonight actually got it’s start earlier today with another Forum question, ...
-
Updated information on my application for a grant with NASE
I blogged a couple of months back about my application submittal for a micro-business grant from ...
-
I have a new Lumberjocks T-shirt! 1-7-2007
Martin was so kind to send a late Christmas present, a new Lumberjocks t-shirt. I love it, the l...
-
CompuCarver goes Big Time with advertising
I was cleaning up my shop on Saturday night, getting ready for the New Year, the New Project (Alt...
-
The First "DeCou Studio" Road Billboard Sign 12-31-2006
About Three weeks ago, I received an unexpected visit from another Lumberjock. Joel Tille drove ...
-
Magazine Arrived 12-31-2006
Yesterday I received my first issue of the Fine Woodworking magazine subscription that I won for ...
-
Where is all of this Headed? From 2006 to 2007, and Beyond.
I was reading a Forum comment by “Don” this morning and it got my writing juices goin...
-
New Carver on the Scene 12-18-2006
In February of this year, my wife and I made our annual trek to Kansas City to visit The Woodwork...
-
Arrival of the Historic Church Altar; Restoration and Making two Matching Side Altars
I have been waiting for several weeks for the arrival of the Church Altar that I am to copy and m...
-
Arrival of the Altar 12-18-2006
I have been waiting for several weeks for the arrival of the Church Altar that I am to copy and m...
-
The Christmas Rush
This time of year is always a lot of fun for me. First there is the birthday of Jesus, and then ...
-
Grant Writing Adventure 11-27-2006
The National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) which I joined to get health insurance cove...
-
Bosch Contractor's Saw review posted
I just finished up writing my thoughts on my latest tool purchase, the Bosch contractor’s s...
-
American Bungalow Magazine
Hey jocks:If you are in a bookstore and are flipping through magazines, check out the new “...
-
Commission Award for the Church Altar Restoration and Matching Side Altars 11-12-2006
I am so excited, I just received a call this evening that my bid on the church Side Altars has be...
-
Church Altar Restoration and Matching Side Altars Project Bid Submitted 11-10-2006
New Bid SubmittedThis morning I sent out my bid for a commissioned job to build two side altars f...
-
King of Wood 11-5-2006
This afternoon after a great lunch prepared by my wife, and a long nap, I went outside to enjoy a...
By subscribing to the RSS feed you will be notified when new entries are posted on this blog.
