Starting New Project

Most of my recent projects just different versions of past projects. While I enjoy all my woodworking, even when I'm doing the same thing as before, I want to start something new. The project I've decided to start is going to be a lengthy one. So, there won't be anynew postings for a while unless I get a custom order or I decide to post any in progress photos. I'm not sure I'll do that this time as I haven't gotten any comments or feedback in the past on in progress posts. So, as a teaser, the project I'm starting tomorrow is called the Armor Horse and the plan photo can be seen at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/armored-horse-rocker-plans-p-186.html . I'm estimating that if nothing goes wrong, this will take around two weeks. I hope the finished project will be worth the wait.

Rocking Iron Horse

Christmas is going to be here before we know it. Since I know my Rocking Iron Horse is popular with the kids, I thought it was time to build another one. This is made out of solid wood. All pieces are glued and then either nailed or screwed together. The colors are created with stain. There is no paint on it. I have found out from others that kids like to store their toys in the little compartments found under the seat and in the tender box area. As the child gets older and doesn't want to rock any more, the train can be removed from the rockers and placed flat on the floor so a few more years of play can be enjoyed from it.

If any of you are interested in buying this one, just email me at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com . It will have to be picked up locally in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This is too big and heavy to ship.

Custom Display Rifle

My Dad visited from Georgia this week. He is part of an organization call Single Action Shooting Society. More information can be found about their events at http://www.sassnet.com/ . Anyway, he had an idea to rework the design on one of the rifle I do for a friend of his in S.A.S.S. So here is the result of that idea. The rifle is made of cottonwood. The background is ebony stained. The wall rack for the rifle is made of mahogany with the friend's S.A.S.S. number cut into it. If you click on the photo for a larger image, you may notice the cowboy at the cross towards the end of the stock. This I was told is a group within their organization called the Prayer Posse. I hope Mean Matt enjoys his display rifle.

New Twist

I made a few twists to my latest motorcycle. The rocker is stained honey pine. I changed the wheel design to four holes instead of eight. I think that opened them up more for a sleaker look. I used china red stain for the body parts. I used pearl gray stain for the frame pieces. The biggest change though is the tailpipes, rims, and various other parts though. I normally use nothing but stain. I decided to use silver paint on some parts this time.

If anyone would like to purchase this rocker, contact me. They sell for two hundred and fifty dollars. I'm sorry, but I do not ship these, so it will have to be picked up if you aren't close enough for me to deliver it. They are just too big and heavy to ship. It is fifty inches long. I do deliver to nearby towns for a small delivery fee.

Don't forget to click on the comment link below this post and let me know what everyone thinks of the new changes.

Home Sweet Home Curio Shelf

This is the first of three curio shelves. This is the Home Sweet Home Curio Shelf. You fellow scrollers can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/home-sweet-home-shelf-p-1250.html . It is fifteen inches tall and about sixteen inches wide. It is made of cottonwood. All three of the shelves came with plans that didn't really allow a good way to hang them. So, right under the top shelf of each of them, I added a three quarter square strip with keyhole slots for easy hanging. Any of these would make a wonderful addition to any home.

Anyone wishing to purchase one can just contact me. They sell for thirty five dollars each. These three are already leaving the shop tomorrow, so if you need one, contact me ahead of time so I can cut another of whichever one you want. I can be contacted at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com .

Wildlife Curio Shelf

This one is called the Wildlife Curio Shelf. It is made of cottonwood. It is fourteen inches tall and about fifteen inches wide. It is fairly easy to cut. Just stack cut the sides and shelves. Fellow scrollers can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/wildlife-curio-shelf-p-1252.html .

Angel Curio Shelf

This is an angel curio shelf. It is fifteen inches wide and about sixteen inches tall. It is made of cottonwood. Any of you fellow scrollers can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/angel-curio-shelf-p-1265.html . They aren't too hard to do. Just stack cut both sides and the shelves. Then assemble them with glue.

Pirate Shelf

I got caught off guard today. I had an order from my Etsy site at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6823431 for one of my Pirate Shelves. The problem with that was that my last one left my shop a couple months back, but I forgot to take it off the website. So, I cut one out today. Because of the rush on it, I wasn't able to make it like I normally do. Normally I cut this from cottonwood and stain it dark walnut. If I'd done that today though and sealed it up in a box to ship out first thing in the morning, the stain smell would probably have knocked the customer down when they opened the box. So, instead I cut this one out of mahogany. I think the customer will be very happy with that. They'll get it made of an exotic wood for the same price. I take care of my customers though.

Rocking Roarer

I've done some more playing with tinted stain. It was time for me to do another motorcycle and I wanted to do one with more typical colors for certain body parts. So, Home Depot mixed up this blue stain. My wife even likes this one better than the ones I've done in the past.
If any of you have never seen my motorcycles before, they are fifty inches long and twenty-nine inches tall. They are made of solid wood. All the colors are stain. I never use paint on kid's toys. All paints eventually fade, crack, or peel. The tire turn. The handle bar and front fork assembly turns. Kids love these things. If anyone would like to attempt to build one on their own, you can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/rocking-roarer-plans-p-168.html .

Home Depot Kid's Workshop

I carried my kids down to Home Depot today. The first saturday of each month, they have a Kid's Workshop. They build something different each month. The workshop involves a kit that comes with all the wood pre-cut, so the kids aren't around any dangerous power tools. All they do is assemble the parts where the instructions say, start the nails in pre-marked holes, and put together a little project. They get to keep their aprons, where they can stick on their little pins they get each time of the projects they've done. After they've built their project, they get a snack and a certificate showing the class they completed. It's a great time for all, the kids and the parent alike.

This month, they built a little bean bag toss. Next month, it is going to be about fire safety. They will be serving hot dogs. The fire truck will be there. The kids will be building a firehouse bank. I was told by the guy running the workshop today that they do this at every Home Depot all across the country. So, find out the exact date of the workshop and your local Home Depot and carry your kids down next month. I guarantee you and your kids will have a great time.

Today was my kid's first time going. Now we have a standing date for me to carry them each month. Unless something very important comes up, I will have them there. I love the fact that they get to build little projects that they can actually use while not having to worry about them getting hurt on power tools in my shop.

Jesus Portrait

This portrait of Jesus measures 11x14. It is cut in luan plywood with a custom mahogany frame. I always cut keyhole slots in the back of my frames for easy hanging. I cut three of these each with different backgrounds. I used flat black, gloss black, and red.

Children's Angel Portrait

Here's another pattern I bought from Spittin' Image. The designer is Chris Messier. This one is framed in mahogany too. All the portraits you see on my site are for sale. If you see one you like, just email me at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com and we'll make payment and shipping arrangements.

Angel And Child Portrait

This cutting is framed in mahogany. It is cut from luan plywood with a board placed for the background that is painted. There are keyhole slots in the back to hang it with. For you fellow scrollers out there, the pattern can be bought at
http://www.spittinimagewoodworking.com/shop/ for a very reasonable price. Check them out, they have some real nice patterns.

Framed Time

This was a custom job for a customer. The magazine is from June 12, 1950. The lady said she'd looked everywhere for a frame for it, with no luck. The frame is made of mahogany. I double stepped the slots in the back. There's one slot for the glass and magazine. Then there's another slot for a board to cover it all tightly to keep the magazine from moving around and getting damaged. This job was real interesting. I looked through the magazine before putting it in the frame. Did you know you could buy a brand new Chevrolet then for $1449?

Wildflower Carousel Horse

It is finally done. This project has been a long hard one. However, it is one that I am mighty proud of. This, I think, is the most detailed piece I have ever done. To give an idea of the amount of detail, if you'll notice the little leaves on the body of the horse, there are a total of twenty eight leaves just on the horse body, and once cut, all those leaves fit in the palm of my hand. If anyone out there would like to attempt to build one of these, it is a very challenging, but rewarding, project. You can buy the plans at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/wildflower-detailed-rocker-plans-p-180.html .

The one I built is made of solid wood. It is mostly cottonwood with some mahogany in the accent pieces. This one is attached to a round base that prevents it from rocking. It is not to be ridden. It is simply a work of art. I could build one to be ridden, but I wouldn't suggest all the detail pieces for a riding toy. This particular one is already sold. However, if anyone wants to order one, please don't hesitate to contact me.

New Project In The Works

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. I did have a couple weeks of no work though due to health problems and getting my kids started in school this year. I am working on a new project though. The photo below shows a sneak peek, and the progress so far. This is going to be a long one, so be patient. This carousel horse goes on a rocker. It will have all kinds of detail work on it that will be very time consuming. If you'd like, you can take a look at what it's supposed to look like at http://www.woodcraftplans.com/osc/wildflower-detailed-rocker-plans-p-180.html . Of course, mine will not look exactly like that. I will surely add or delete certain details to make it more mine. If the project goes too long, I'll have to post more in progress photos.

Unicorns Of Color

After doing the Pegases with various colored backgrounds, I wanted to do the Unicorns as well. So here they are too, with the black, blue and red backgrounds. They also have mahogany custom frames. Also, they too are for sale for forty dollars each. In the future, I am thinking of working with some other colors. If you have a past cutting of mine that you think would look exceptionally nice with a certain color, click on the comment link below and leave a suggestion. You may just see your suggestion done in the near future.

Handcut Proof

I am asked so often these days if my art is cut with lasers. At a recent show I was even asked if it was cut with a water jet. I really can't figure out how you could cut wood with water without ruining the wood, but that's not the subject if this post. I fully understand why I get this question so often these days though. In these modern times, so many things are mass produced and assembled or painted in sweatshops in some country that you and I can't even pronounce. Then these items are sold so cheap in what I call "box stores" that some people are shocked by the price when they do happen across true hand made crafts or arts. Then, because these same items are made so cheaply, they don't last, fall apart, fade, or disappoint the customer in one way or another and the customer is hesitant about trusting anyone, even the craftsman, enough to pay any amount for an item, no matter the quality.

To answer the question in short, no and never will be. Every item you see by me is hand made, by me. The only exception is that sometimes my wife or kids want to help me some. I let them help do some sanding. Sometimes one of my older sons may even help apply some stain. I do buy my patterns. I can't draw a straight line without a ruler. Every now and then there are things I design myself. A lot of the clock faces youo see on my clocks are designed by me. The words on the sides of the bottom level of the Patriot Clock were made using simple stencils that were bought at the dollar store. Everything is handmade though. Cuts are made by saws in my shop. My Delta scroll saw is the saw that gets the most use, but I also own a band saw, table saw, skilsaw, and a jig saw. Other tools I use regularly are the router, cordless drill, and several different types of sanders. I have never though, and never will use, a laser.

These days, there are several different machines that you can use to create the same kind of work that I do in mass produce fashion. One of these methods is a machine that cuts wood in a predetermined pattern using laser. That's where that laser question comes from. Using this machine, certain companies from all over the world cuts similar pieces to mine by the thousands. To improve even more on that, they have set up mass production style factories that can be run with the minimum amount of workers to turn out these products as fast as possible. There's a catch though. With anything that is produced in that quantity, it never gets handled by humans long enough to even notice what kind of quality is being thrown into boxes and shipped out all over the world. As a matter of fact, many of these companies have quit using wood for their products. They get more uniformity from plastic that is textured to look like wood.

All this being said, quality comes from hard work and care. Every item I make has time and personal touches put into it. When a project is completed, if I'm not happy with it, it is never sold. A while back I built a cradle. After completing it and staining it, I wasn't happy with it. I set it on fire in front of my shop and started over from scratch. If I'm not happy, I know my customer won't be happy. Also, each item is personally cared for from a block of wood to the finished project. Nothing is automated.

So for this rant about lack of quality in our modern world to connect with the post title. Once you get any project of mine into your home, careful inspection can prove that it is handcut. Whether it be a portrait or a candle holder, inspect the cut lines carefully. I make sure to leave just enough "fuzzies" to prove it is handcut, but not enough to interfere with the beauty of the project. "Fuzzies" is that little fuzzy looking splinters that appear on some of my projects, like on the inside edges of portraits or on the undersides of some of my rocking toys. Lasers do not leave this type of byproduct. Also, lasers leave tiny burn marks in tight corners. You will not find that on my projects.

So, if you buy any of my projects, look for the handcut proof. Show that proof to others because you now own a piece of a dying art. As time goes by, there are less and less people in the world that do this type art. Before we know it, it will be gone. Then all the world will have left is mass produced stuff that will fill up more landfill area while consumers go out and buy more stuff. You though, or your children, can own a piece of art that has quality and can last for generations if taken care of.

Pegasus Of Different Colors

I decided to play around with some different colors. I thought about it and decided that this pegasus pattern would be perfect for this little experiment. So, in the end, we wind up with three pegasus portraits, one with the usual black background, one blue, one red.

The frame is custom made of mahogany with keyhole slots for hanging. A similar portrait is listed on my Estsy site at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6823431 . These are for sale for forty dollars.

Christ Ascending

This is a Jeff Zaffino pattern. His website is listed in the links section. He creates some very detailed patterns. Most of them are a challenge to even expert scrollers. This one is called Christ Ascending. It has around three hundred inside cuts. I've actually cut this one before, but it was before I started making mitered frames, so I thought it was time to cut it again.

It is framed in a custom made mahogany frame with keyhole slots at the back to hang it with. The cutting is luan. The backing painted plywood.

The original cutting I done is lited on Estsy for a hundred dollars. It's higher because it is completly encased with mahogany backer and all. This newer cutting was done with cheaper woods so I could get the price down to seventy five. I think it still looks just as nice.

Jesus's 2nd Fall

As promised, here's my latest cutting. After my last post, I just had to hurry up and get a new cutting to post. I finished the Last Supper order and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to do another religious themed portrait. So I remembered a pattern I had downloaded a while back from Scrollsaw Village. This portrait is called Jesus's 2nd Fall. It was designed by Cathy, a Scrollsaw Village member's wife. I think she did a great design job.

The frame is custom made of mahogany. I always cut keyhole slots in the back to hang them with. I tried something a little different on this cutting though. The portait is cut from luan plywood. It's a beautiful plywood that is used a lot by cabinet makers. Then, contrary to my hate for paint, the background is spray painted black. I think it gave a more consistant color than my usual stain. I may do some more portraits in this style.

As always, until I get this listed on Etsy, anyone wishing to purchase it can contact me at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com .

Anyone looking for a great online scrollsaw community should definately check out Scrollsaw Village at http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/ . It's a very friendly site and we are always thankful to have new scrollers join. It doesn't matter if you've been scrolling for years or are only considering buying a saw. Go check them out. Sign up and make some new friends.

Out Of The Shop And My Mind

I'd like to apologize. I've been out of the shop for a couple of weeks now. Therefore, I haven't had any new projects to post. It's been driving me crazy. A some of you know now, my health isn't very good. I get down sometimes, as I have lately, and jst can't get to the shop to work on anything. I got back to work about two days ago. I've been working on some more Last Supper portraits. I have more sold than what I had cut, so that was a priority.

As soon as something is done, I will be posting more items. Until then though, please feel free to check out all the archived posts. Most contain different projects. A lot of them I have on hand now. For the ones I don't, I' always happy to do custom orders. Don't forget to click on "older posts" at the bottom of the page.

Any of my projects you see on this blog are for sale. Some are listed on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6823431 . For the ones not listed there, please contact me at greasemonkeyredneck@yahoo.com . Also, feel free to comment on any project you like, or dislike for that matter. I can't improve my work or know what people really like if noone gives me any feedback. Under every post is a "comment" link. You do not need to be a member of blogspot to comment.

Last, but definately not least, thanks so much for all who are interested in my work. It means so much to me that you are willing to take the time to look at my work.

Rocking Iron Horse

It's been a slow going as of late with this dreadful Mississippi heat and all, but here's my latest work, another Rocking Iron Horse. If any of you seen my previous ones, then you'll notice this one is stained a little differently. Yes, that red is stain, not paint. As some of you know, I don't like paint on kid's toys. All paint eventually peals, cracks, chips, or fades. Stain stays while also showing the wood's grain beautifully.
This train is made entirely of solid cottonwood. I never use plywood or particle board. All screws are countersunk and covered with plugs. The only exposed screws are under it, attaching the train to the rockers. I do this because I have had customers in the past remove it from the rockers and use it as a display piece.
Another big difference, even if it is hard to see on the photos of this one, is the mounting. In the original plans, it calls for a fore and aft board across the rocker runners to mount the train to. On my previous trains, I thought this to be a bit tacky. So, on this one, I installed pads under the frame to mount it with, therefore eliminating the runner boards. I like this style much better.
I chose this color scheme over the past ones, because I wanted to create a train that more resembled the old darker trains of the past. So, what do you think? Is this design and color scheme a keeper? Click on the comments tag below and let me know.
As always, if anyone wishes to purchase this one or has any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

The Last Supper

Here is my latest portrait cutting. It is The Last Supper, a pattern I ordered from Wildwood Designs. The cutting measures ten inches by twenty inches. It is cut in cottonwood. The backer board is stained ebony. The frame is made of mahogany. This portrait is so nice that I had to cut two, one to sell and one to hang in my own home. There are two keyhole slots cut into the back of the frame to hang it on. Please contact me if you are interested in puchasing one of these cuttings.

Pirate Shelf

Here is a neat little shelf I made from a pattern I got from Steve Goode over at Scrollsaw Workshop. The shelf is three quarter inch thick while the back is half inch. You can't see it in this photo, but the two shelf supports are pirate swords that look rather unique. It is made of cottonwood and then stained with dark walnut stain. The shelf part has keyhole slots at the back to hang it with.
As usual, if anyone is interested in purchasing one, please contact me and let me know.
Soon, I will start back to listing items on Etsy at my Wooden Memories site. I haven't been able to find a better way to sell my projects online without having to raise prices to the customer, which I am not willing to do. Etsy does a good job and accepts major credit cards and Paypal. So, for the time being, it is the best option for all concerned for selling and purchasing. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know. Thank you all for taking the time to look at my projects.