wood magic.

This past weeks have been so busy for me, I'm glad I can say this. My project is coming together nicely. I'm now at the stage of completing the carcass of my jewlery display cabinet. Things will be more clear once you see the pieces come together. 

I have been spending long hours thinking about each step on the process, it is important to remain focused at all times, and more important, to work with a fresh mind. Some of us are just meant to work on morning hours, some other prefer to do it at night, that's a personal thing. 

Anyway I've been combining concepts and examples seen during the program in order to complete this project. Woodworking at this level requires of hours and more hours of attention to detail, that's why we emphasize our most important work on our hand skills, we use the machines, yes, that's a good starting point, but then it's time to go to your bench and just "make some magic," as a good friend from school may say. 

Sunshine for some early work

This can be done with some nice hand tools, with a razor sharp blade, I'm talking "sharp." Then our tools can make what our mind tells them, which is really important. A dull ( not sharp) tool can make a disaster in seconds, so it's always better to be sharp and smart. 

I enjoy all of the process of furniture making, the design, the mockup, the discussion of different approaches to different situations is amazing. I've said this before, but will reafirm that this type of work is as complex as any engineering process, we have to respect every step on our procedure. 

More important is to have always in mind this, "wood is a living material in constant movement." This is something hard to understand, but true. The grain direction on any piece of wood combined with the seasonal humidity, and other external and internal factors, will make any piece of wood want to move, we cannot avoid that, what we can do is analyze this  possible movements and find different design solutions. 

Rail Shaping with handplane

Our year end show will be on 17 days, there's a lot to be done, but I'll get there. You can see here the advances I've made on my piece, bottom, sides and top frame, that will then receive a partition, and a tray system. 

Top frame will have glass

Cabinet assembled

We can talk about that as there's more advance. 

See you later!

Cheers!

curious? take a look.

As we go, we are running out of time, this first year has gone so fast here at the school, it is incredible to see how out skills have improved from day one. We are now facing some serious work, and we are making it happen. 

Our emphasis on handtools has given us confidence to stand in front of this projects and being able to execute as we go. We are masterizing our hands to drive our "planes" where we need to. 

We use our different planes to make this incredible woods look as they deserve to. 

My project has gone through a process of creation, in which you have to make adjustments along the way. After making some drawings and determining our project dimensions we create a mock-up. 

This consists on taking your dimensions and bring them to life to a full size project in a different material.  I used cardboard and basically wanted to look at my piece's volume, height, etc. 

The mock-up process helps to make corrections and inspires new ideas. 

I then decided to adjust my 3d design and look at the project with its different details in place.  

Front view of the cabinet.

Every component has to have a series of steps analyzed in order to accomplish it. This are included in our procedure lists. 

Tray functionality. 

This jewelry display cabinet has a special purpose, not only displays our jewelry through the glass, but you are able to place this trays on top of our frame. This trays (drawers) can be interchangeable too, that means you can have two different setups on them, and change them every now and then to have some interesting displays every time a customer gets to see this piece. 

Dovetails will bring a spark into this piece, you will be able to see this. 

I also brought this design possibilities into a more real concept, and used different woods in showing this details. This will give me an idea on executing the process on real wood too. 

Frame and glass.

Front view.

The project is taking shape now, this is really exciting. Making a piece of furniture is a process that needs a lot of attention and respect, just as any process in any profession. It has taught me a lot about myself and about this craft. 

Lateral panel Construction

Cabinet coming to life!

Sycamore and Boxwood just look so nice. 

I will continue working, looking forward to our year end's show, you will enjoy this. 

Look at Nicolas, he has grown for sure!

Looking at this chairs quality.