Handcrafted fine furniture & cabinet
Good morning! I was commissioned to create a project—a Stickley-style bookshelf with a marquetry pattern. The client requested a design featuring two maple leaves. This video demonstrates my process for creating marquetry.
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I am crafting a bench inspired by George Nakashima. I am using a maple slab that has been in my shop for three years. It patiently waited until it revealed its purpose to me. Embracing Nakashima’s philosophy of natural beauty, I won’t be filling all the voids with epoxy. Instead, I’ll let the wood speak for itself. To finish it, I’ll apply my beeswax and oil blend, enhancing its natural charm. Please sign up and support a local craftsman
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Hand tool Dado explained
In this post, I’ll explain how I create a dado using hand tools. I prefer hand tools for several reasons. The main reason is the tactile experience of feeling the tool cut through the wood. This process is accompanied by the soothing sounds of smooth jazz in my workshop. It feels more creative compared to the loud, intense noise of power tools. The noise can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster ride with a sharp blade spinning at high speeds. It’s ready to catch something or cause an accident.
For this particular project, I used a veneer saw to cut along the edges of my marked dado. Then, I chiseled out the waste and cleaned it up with my Lie-Nielsen hand router. I enjoyed the music of Michael Bublé while working. It’s not that I dislike power tools; they have their place and are sometimes necessary. Nonetheless, if you’re skilled with hand tools, you can be just as efficient. This is especially true if you’re a hobbyist or a one-off furniture maker like me. In those cases, there’s often no need for most power tools beyond a bandsaw, table saw, and thickness planer.
Welcome to the first entry in our series. It is dedicated to the art of choosing solid wood furniture for your home decor! As a handcrafted furniture maker, I believe that every piece of furniture should serve a purpose. It should also tell a story and enhance the beauty of your living space. Solid wood furniture embodies this philosophy, offering warmth, character, and a timeless quality that can transform any room.
Solid wood is more than just a material; it’s a connection to nature and craftsmanship. Each type of wood has its own unique grain, color, and texture, making every piece distinct. When you choose solid wood furniture, you’re making an investment. This product has been thoughtfully crafted to last for generations. Mass-produced alternatives often lack soul and durability.
In this series, I’ll share insights and tips from my experience as a furniture maker to help you make informed choices when selecting solid wood pieces for your home:
I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with you as we explore the world of solid wood furniture together! Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning to equip your home, this series will give you the knowledge. It will also offer inspiration. You will be capable of making thoughtful choices that resonate with your style and values.
Stay tuned for our next post. We’ll dive into the different types of wood I use in my work. You will learn how to select the right one for your space. Here’s to creating beautiful, lasting pieces for your home!
I want to take a moment to share the purpose of this blog and how it connects to our well-being. My goal is to help you understand the significance of furniture in our lives. It can positively impact our overall wellness. I also believe in the importance of supporting small businesses and craftsmen. Choosing handcrafted furniture not only benefits your home but also supports local artisans and contributes to a healthier environment.
I strive to keep this blog accessible. I aim to keep it free from ads or paywalls. I would greatly appreciate any donations to help sustain it. Your support will allow me to continue providing valuable content without compromising on quality or accessibility.
Additionally, I would love to hear your thoughts! If there are specific topics related to woodworking or design that you’re interested in, please share your ideas. Your input is invaluable in shaping the content of this blog. Please if you like the blog don’t forget to subscribe
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Shop small business
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to drop a little reminder about how amazing it is to support small businesses and artists. Choosing to live a creative life on our own terms is no easy feat, and many of us have spent years honing our craft and making sacrifices to turn our passion into a living. Doing what you love and making a living from it is incredibly freeing, but we often find ourselves competing with big businesses that focus solely on profit and mass-produce the same old stuff (yawn!).
By shopping small, you’re not only supporting our dreams but also contributing to a more beautiful world. So, whenever you can, please consider choosing small businesses and artists. We’re not trying to take over the world; we just want to make it a more beautiful place.
Thanks so much for your support!
Warmly,
Brian Anderson
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The Iris Table
I’m delighted to share something truly special with you—an expression of my passion for uniqueness and quality in design. Unlike transient trends that can often lead us down repetitive paths, I value individuality and the pursuit of something distinctive. My journey has been focused on finding like-minded individuals who understand and appreciate the beauty of diversity and the singular nature of true craftsmanship.
Today, I am excited to introduce you to one of my latest creations: the Iris Table. This exquisite piece is crafted from teak, known for its strength and alluring natural grain. The table features a sophisticated design with a floating top, creating an illusion of weightlessness that captivates the eye. What makes this piece extraordinarily special is the marquetry of an iris—a symbol of elegance and creativity—meticulously handcrafted into the tabletop. It is a testament to the dedication and expertise of a skilled artisan who has committed years to perfecting their craft.
The Iris Table is not just a piece of furniture; it is a work of functional art that tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. It stands as a singular creation, emphasizing the rarity and distinctiveness I strive to achieve in my work. This one-of-a-kind piece is perfect for someone who values exclusivity and the expressive power of handmade designs.
For those who are captivated by this unique creation, I invite you to explore it further on my website, Iris Table . Here, you will find not only the Iris Table but also a showcase of other pieces that embody my commitment to quality, individuality, and artistic beauty. Join me in celebrating the art of craftsmanship—a journey where diversity and uniqueness are celebrated and cherished.
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My Journey with the Lie-Nielsen No. 5 Hand Plane
When I first laid my eyes on the Lie-Nielsen No. 5 hand plane, I instantly understood why it’s called the “jack of all trades” in the woodworking world. I spend countless hours in my workshop. I was looking for a tool that merged versatility with precision. This plane seemed to offer just that. Designed for flattening, smoothing, and trimming wood, it felt like the missing piece in my ever-evolving collection of tools.
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In the realm of luxury home furnishings, solid wood furniture commands respect as a hallmark of enduring sophistication and exquisite craftsmanship. At Anderson Woodworks, every piece of furniture embarks on its transformative journey from the serene embrace of nature, where selecting the right wood becomes an art form in itself. I meticulously choose premium hardwoods such as walnut, mahogany, or cherry, prized for their rich grain patterns and exceptional durability. These woods are not merely raw materials; they are heirlooms of nature, each with a distinct narrative that enriches the character and elegance of the final masterpiece.
As the journey unfolds, the wood enters a meticulous phase of preparation. At Anderson Woodworks, this involves a careful process of air and kiln drying, ensuring the wood achieves its optimal moisture content—a crucial step to ensure stability and longevity. I then examine each plank, discerning its nuances and aligning grain patterns with surgical precision. This intricate step lays a robust foundation, readying the wood for its transformation into art that transcends time and trends.
In true artisanal fashion, the creation of each piece at Anderson Woodworks involves marrying traditional woodworking techniques with innovative craftsmanship. Techniques such as mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joints are employed, eschewing modern fasteners in favor of time-honored methods that enhance structural integrity. These methods, honed over generations and perfected at Anderson Woodworks, require unparalleled precision and an eye for perfection, mirroring the artisans’ unwavering commitment to excellence.
The shaping phase is where artistry truly comes alive. Here, the wood is sculpted into elegant forms through nuanced carving, turning, and bending, often achieved by hand. Each element, from graceful legs to supportive arms, is finely crafted to harmonize seamlessly, creating a symphony of form and function. At Anderson Woodworks, tools become mere extensions of me creativity, shaping not only the wood but the very soul of the furniture itself.
The finishing touch is where the piece truly transcends into luxury. And I apply sumptuous oils, and wax meticulously accentuating the natural grain while providing protective allure. The result is a polished finish that beckons touch and admiration. Each coat applied is a testament to patience and an unwavering attention to detail, ensuring that the finished product resonates with both beauty and function.
Beyond the masterful techniques and luxurious materials, every iconic piece crafted by Anderson Woodworks carries stories that resonate with cultural legacies and personal journeys. Whether inspired by the minimalist elegance of Shaker style or the sleek innovation of mid-century modern design, each furniture piece encapsulates its own origin, the skilled hands that crafted it, and the exquisite environments it will grace.
In a world where mass-produced simplicity often overshadows artisanal precision, Anderson Woodworks continues to epitomize the pinnacle of solid wood furniture. For our discerning clientele, understanding the journey from tree to table at Anderson Woodworks enhances appreciation for the unparalleled skill, dedication, and passion that transform nature’s finest into heritage pieces. Whether it is a grand dining table or an elegant lounge chair, these pieces are far more than elements of décor—they are timeless narratives, crafted with impeccable care and destined to enrich spaces for generations to come.
In today’s fast-paced world of fleeting design trends, the handcrafted furniture from Anderson Woodworks LLC stands as a beacon of timeless elegance and durability. This solid wood furniture not only withstands the test of time but also enhances any living space with its natural charm and warmth. This blog post will delve into the unique qualities of Anderson Woodworks LLC handcrafted furniture and the transformative effect it can have in modern spaces, whether you’re outfitting a minimalist apartment or a chic urban loft.
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