Big things are happening at the shop! 

There's another Live Edge Woodworking class being taught by Andrew Moore of Reclaimed Secrets, and we just got a load of Claro Walnut slabs delivered, perfect for coffee tables, sofa tables and of course - big ass dining tables.

These two slabs caught my eye... 

these slabs started selling the moment they entered my shop. They were flat, stable and just gorgeous! 

I chose a couple, and cut a straight-line on one edge, book matching them for a table top. 

There aren't enough words to describe the awesomeness of these boards. 

Meanwhile,  working with wood is starting to take its toll on my hands.

 This is the only kind of "glamour shot" I pose for....but don't worry - 

everything is OK. 

Just a few tests to figure out why my hands feel like an elephant walked on them. 

 No biggie. 

Back at the shop, we epoxied the cracks in the boards... we spent a few nights epoxying the boards, and then stacked them up to dry, with stickers in between. 

After it had hardened - we used cabinet scrapers to scrape off the excess.   

Using a cabinet scraper is much easier than using a belt sander. This sander almost met its match with the slab it flattened.

Scrapers are quicker, too. And you get all these lovely shavings, instead of a room full of dust. 

With one side scraped, we flipped the boards over and epoxied the other side.

 The BIG question that I'll have to address is - what sort of tile will I make to fill that opening?  

A mosaic?

 Some texture? 

Stamped designs? 

I have some terrific glazes that I can use on that area, so I have a lot to consider... but luckily, there is SO much more sanding that this slabs need, so I have some time to consider the choices. 

Check out some of my past tile work - 

Speaking of tile - I hope you can join me next Friday, August 11 on Handcrafted America, where my wood and tile work will be featured, along with two other artists.

 It's the Season Three opener - here's a link to see the preview!