This might be the year of ....Live Edge Slabs

Sometimes we have an idea formulating in our brain, a vague plan about life , or the coming year, like where our work will take us, how travel plans will shape up, or where we see ourselves in a year. 

I've been thinking a lot about things like that lately. We never know what the future holds for us - be it sickness or surprises, great accomplishments or disasters. 

We're suffered them all, in one way or another.

I didn't see last year being the "Year of Live Edge work" but sure enough, it turned out that way. Andrew Moore of Reclaimed Secrets taught a few classes at the shop, 

and mentored me, helping me produce some amazing slabs for projects I've been building.   Never underestimate seeking the guidance of someone who knows their craft! 

Because of the Live Edge movement, I recently brought in some amazing slabs from California, mostly Claro Walnut slabs. These are glorious - twelve feet long, in most cases, with gorgeous colors and grain. 

Most are extremely flat, there are even two  extraordinary bookmarked sets, which will make someone a fine dining room table. Some of these sets are already reserved, so if you're thinking of making a walnut table this year, you may want to stop by the shop and reserve one of these!

Speaking of Andrew, he and his other half, Nic,  donated a set of very nice slabs to the raffle that we held at our Sin City Woodworkers Christmas party. They have a huge inventory, including boards as long as 17' long and 40" wide. 

Luckily he's a big guy who can  handle something that huge!

These donated  Beetle Kill Pine slabs, as straight and flat as a slab can be, and the raffle tickets were briskly selling.

 In the end, a more deserving winner couldn't be chosen - Liz won them, and we can't wait to see what she makes! 

I picked up a couple of slabs from Andrew for a project I'm building - a low bench that will serve as a physical therapy table for a while, and once the therapy is over, it will transform in to rather large coffee table. (Of course, I forgot to take pictures of the raw slabs!)

After I straight lined one edge of each slab, I pulled out the Festool Domino XL and cut some slots to help facilitate the glue-up. 

 The glue up was easy, thanks to an extra set of hands. (Thanks, Esther!) 

Next step - epoxy to fill the cracks, knot holes, and voids.  I'm getting to the point where I'm actually enjoying this free form style of woodworking more than the more formal pieces I usually build.

 A  bit of sanding and some touchup with epoxy and this top is ready for its base, which I'll start this week. This is one of those dream pieces, with every aspect of it going according to plan, and perfect it its execution. That doesn't happen that often!

Speaking of more formal pieces, a few people were asking about a piece I finally finished this past year - the watch cabinet in African Mahogany. I struggled with that piece, no doubt.  This cabinet was designed to hold my client's Swatch Watch collection, and the only instructions were to ensure that the wood be unique.  

I found some amazing boards with pronounced sap streaks, and glued them together to form a lighter stripe down the middle. 

The cases were dovetailed, 

as were all of the interior drawers. 

I made a critical mistake that is somewhat common - running out of wood in the middle of a project. I had trouble matching the color and grain of the original boards, and it took months to find the right ones to complete this piece. 

In the end, the buyers couldn't have been happier, 

and I learned some lessons along the way.  A win-win.

 I 've got some challenging commissions in the pipeline, and 2018 is shaping up to be an interesting year already. I hope your holidays were fine, and the coming year is a healthy and prosperous one for all of us.

Fingers crossed...