Woodworking in America Conference II

Since I had such a great time at the Woodworking in America Conference last November in Berea, I'm happy to say I'm planning to go to the next one in St. Charles, Illinois (near Chicago) from August 14-16. The first WIAC conference focused almost exclusively on handtools and technique. On top of that, the marketplace between sessions (or during them if you skipped!), was a handtool free for all. It was great, but sometimes you have to stop focusing (or fixating) on thousands of an inch and step back a bit. If the first WIAC was left-brained, the next one is going to be right-brained.


Design is more about the qualitative than the quantitative. It's one thing to read about methods for cutting dovetails; it's quite another to read how to create something out of nothing. Where do you begin? Do you have a style in mind or are you making up your own? What are your client's requirements? What are your influences? What is your budget? What materials are available? The list goes on. Even if you are following a plan or making a reproduction, you still need to design it to some degree. You have to make decisions on dimensions, wood grain, joinery, finishes and everything else. I'm looking forward to hearing what some accomplished furniture makers have to say about their design process and how they answer some of these questions for themselves.

I'm going to do my level best to avoid visiting one of the golf courses at the meeting site but please keep in mind that I'm only human. I'll try to write as much as I can about the sessions and the general scene (here are my posts from the last one). You can find information about the conference at www.woodworkinginamerica.com. Please contact me if you're going to attend. I'm sure there are some beverages that will need to be consumed.

Furniture I Love: Susan Link Edition

I found out about Susan Link's work in an ad for the Focus on Furniture show at Handmade in America. The show is up until August 14 in the furniture mecca of Asheville, North Carolina.

You can get an idea of the range of Susan's work by looking at her two treatments of the buffet. The Craftsman Buffet (above) is light and dynamic and has an uncluttered design featuring a floating top. The Fired up Buffet (below) is similar in design and function, but much more dramatic with its use of ambient lighting.

I also want to point out her walnut/curly maple end table. It's a straightforward table done very well and shows some great choices in contrasting woods.

On the imaginative side of the spectrum is the wall shelf she calls Morning Jazz. It's completely functional in that it contains a mirror, drawers for small items like keys or jewelry and the shelf. But it also shows her creativity and humor. I'm sure working with all those complex angles was no small feat.

See more of Susan Link's work at linkwoodworks.com.

Photos credits: Craftsman Buffet and Fired Up by Tim Barnwel, Morning Jazz by Bob Gibson.

Sam Maloof, R.I.P.

Iconic furniture maker Sam Maloof died last week at 93. It's impossible to quantify his influence on furniture and the world of craft. He's one of a handful of artists whose work will last well beyond his own life.

Here is an excellent obituary from the Los Angeles Times.

Here is my post about rocking chairs that includes some photos of his work.

More ICFF Coverage

Looking at the coverage of the International Contemporary FURNITURE Fair (capitals mine) on the blogowebs, I'm noticing something I just now have been able to put my finger on: there's not a whole lot of furniture. Is it just me or is ICFF suffering from mission-creep? I mean, a bicycle, as cool as it is, isn't furniture. Neither are walkers, floor coverings, faucets or litter boxes. That's right, the winner of the ICFF Editors Award for accessories went for a litter box. I thought accessories were things like vases, trays and candle holders. But what do I know? Next year, I hope to go to the show and ask them what's the deal.

Until then, here's more coverage, and some of the items are actual pieces of furniture! (Thank you, designsponge, for writing about wooden furniture.)

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/18/icff-2009-highlights-from-the-contemporary-furniture-fair/

http://www.core77.com/blog/ny_design_week_09/default.asp

http://www.furniturestoreblog.com/2009/05/03/icff_2009_international_contemporary_furniture_fair.html

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/icff/andrew-moe-handmade-furniture-from-reclaimed-lumber-icff-2009-084990

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/05/icff-2009-i-heart-wood.html

A flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keegiespics/sets/72157618285742232/

ICFF Coverage

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair kicks off this weekend in NYC. I'd love to be there, but since I can't, I thought I'd provide some links to coverage of the Fair. For any readers who'll be attending ICFF or exhibiting, please leave a comment with your impressions of this year's offerings. Friend-of-furnitude Palo Samko will be there. Here are the rest of the exhibitors.

Some preview articles:
Treehugger: What is Green Design? 13 Questions We'll Be Asking at ICFF

DesignSponge: ICFF Preview: iannone design

The Architect's Newspaper: ICFF Preview

NYCGO: Objects of Desire

A link from Designnotes that aggregates ICFF articles as they appear: http://topics.designnotes.info/page/icff


PS. Today is the last day to enter the drawing for a box by Doug Stowe. Go to http://designbloglist.blogspot.com/ for details.

Doug Stowe Box Giveaway

Over at DesignBlogList, I'm running a giveaway for a box made by Doug Stowe.  Check out the contest and find the rules for entry at http://designbloglist.blogspot.com.

Furniture I Love: Clark Kellogg Edition

I'm really impressed by Clark Kellogg's work. I first saw an example of it featured in Fine Woodworking’s “Furniture: 102 Contemporary Designs” Special Issue, 2008. Called "10 Small Boxes Huddled Together for Warmth," this wall-mounted piece is an exercise in proportion. If I had conceived a project like this, I probably would have stopped with simply putting all the boxes together or making it complicated by integrating the boxes somehow. It's much more interesting that the boxes are separated slightly or at least have the illusion of being separated by recessed, ebonized spacers. To go another step in showing attention to detail, Kellogg framed out the holes that serve as door and drawer pulls. This is one of those pieces that shows incredible design talent combined with excellent craftsmanship.  

Though Kellogg makes the full range of seating, tables and casegoods, I want to feature another box. This one was commissioned to store CDs and has an ingenious recessed tray to hold an iPod. The box also allows the iPod to be charged. This piece, though small in size, involves the full range of woodworking skills and is executed flawlessly. See how he cut the dovetails by hand here.  

With training from both the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine and the College of the Redwoods in California, Kellogg has skills beyond his years. His Double-Trestle Desk is one of the best interpretations of the Arts & Crafts style I've seen in a long time.  

I encourage furniture makers and furniture appreciators both to explore Clark's website, as it shows more of his beautiful work and includes his thoughts on design and construction. Check it out at www.kelloggfurniture.com. 

Photo of the wall boxes by Jim Dugan; photos of Double-Trestle Desk by Patrick Bertolino.