Peek in on the TableMaking class...

The Table Making class just ended and there were some pretty special pieces built. One of the things I love about teaching is encouraging people to build whatever it is they want . Classes where everyone build the exact same piece seems like the teacher is being a bit lazy to me - what, you can't keep everyone's details straight in your head? 

While not everyone finished their tables, I still think this class was a great success. 

This table featured six separate inlaid tile areas.

You would probably be surprised to see how much work goes into inlaying tile, so creating six different areas is a feat in itself!

This table has a lift mechanism in it, so it can be used at coffee table height

to "dinner at the coffee table" height.

Check it out. 

I forgot to get a picture of this table when it was finished, but this was the first piece of furniture that this student ever built. It was designed to be a crafting table for his wife - smart guy! One way to enroll in future classes is to build piece for other people!

He eventually painted the legs on this table a rich hunter green, it had quite the "Crate and Barrel" look. And it was amazingly stable and sturdy. His wife is going to love it. Nice work!

Again - I screwed up (what's my problem?) and didn't get a finished shot of this Redwood table. But - it was fantastic! It featured massive mortise and tenons, and a shallow magazine rack in the trestle area. 

It was built to match this Adirondack chair he made in a previous class. Terrific work. 

A few students undertook complex designs, with drawers, shelves, or odd joinery. They knew they probably wouldn't finish their tables in the allotted six sessions, but that didn't stop them.  

This computer table will have a low shelf underneath it, and will hold three printers. Drawers will pull out from each end of the table - try finding a table like this in your local furniture store!

This isn't even a table - but rather - a big barstool. The aprons were Dominoe-d into the legs at 45˚ angles, and there is a long slot in each apron, where leather will be woven, to hold the cushion. This student has a ton of creativity and a sketchbook full of ideas - I love that!

Here's another proud moment in the class - posing with your finished table. 

Check out the grain management on the top - she created a book matched top using two different woods.

This was on Facebook before the oil was dry!

One of the important rules about building furniture is to make sure that you can get the piece inside your house! Or in this case - that you can lift it! 

This BEEFY Hickory table was so heavy, I had to take a picture of it in the bed of this student's truck, instead of having him bring it back into the shop. It reminded me of an old cowboy furniture design I'd seen years ago - with posts and beams, all massive and designed to last a lifetime. One of his grandchildren will probably have this table someday - what a cool thing to pass down. 

One of the great things about teaching is that I get to meet some amazing people, and this student is one of those! I'm in the process of re-vamping my website, and he's been helping me redesign and tweak it. It's not finished yet, but he's come up with some really nice changes and improvements for it, and I'm excited. If you're in need of any website work - I'd be happy to put you in touch with him. You won't find a more creative or easy-to-work-with web person out there!

Although he's fairly handy with tools, he'd never built a table before this one. It was solid Cherry, designed to be a small laptop desk in the guest room at his new home. 

Here he's attaching the top. 

I'd like to thank everyone for making this such a nice class. There was a very nice vibe in the class - everyone worked well together, lending a hand when something heavy needed flipped or lifted. Even better - people in this class were quick to give positive comment or suggestion.

Next week starts another round of classes - this time we'll be building Bookcases. (There are still a few spots, if you're interested in signing up.)

I hope you enjoyed reading about this class as much as I did teaching it!