on with the theme.

I have also created an etsy store. My user name is Mindelicious.



I've been working on a line of wood-based jewelry items. My initial plan for launch will be the end of the month.


work in progress...

procrastinating.

I think i've spent enough time procrastinating on making things. I'm happy to report that I have turned the extra unused space in my apartment into my work area (I know it's amazing that I have extra space in a NYC apartment). This will have to do until I can afford studio space. And of course what work space is complete without a workbench:

Might I add that I accomplished making this with only a handsaw, jigsaw, hand drill, and chairs for a saw horse. Proved to myself that all you need is will power. The joints are through bolts with 3/16" deep mortise/tenon just to hold things in place...I know it's a bit excessive but I thought it was a good opportunity to work on chiseling technique. Kind of merged a couple different plans to come up with the design for this table but it's sturdy as hell {yes I'm standing on it to celebrate}.


And of course it's complete with a vise. Strangely vises make me very happy.

take-g toys!

I'm extremely biased on this but I'm going to 100% declare that japanese woodcrafts is a million times more cool than anything I've ever seen in the US. I think that's just because of what my aesthetic tastes are. But anyway, just found this toy maker and

.... just adorable.




title> アインとニーチェ
material> various types of wood
source> Take-G

spiritual inspiration in DC

I remembered going to the National Cathedral on my 8th grade field trip to DC but I think I must have had a entirely different perspective on it's beauty back then. These days contemporary architecture and construction is all about speed and money. Although efficiency is important, I believe so is longevity. In this technological age we have improved construction efficiency to the degree that we make and replace things perhaps too quickly. So quickly that it almost makes the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day" seem irrelevant: Irrelevant in the way that people appreciate the efficiency of mass manufacturing versus handcraft because of the time perspective. Living in NYC definitely emphasizes the fast moving world and visiting DC last weekend acted as a incredibly grounding experience, that I was not expecting.


Up on the hills of DC sits the National Cathedral which I learned took 83 years to construct. The idea of something taking more than a lifetime is pretty much lost today. And really makes you take a step back and slow down. Just the architectural integrity of building is inspiring enough to gawk at for several hours but inside it is filled with even more "move you to tears" moments. Serendipitous that this structure happened to be located right across the street from where I was staying and had it not been, I wouldn't have had time to go see it. Even better, it also happened that in it's centennial celebration it was showcasing a tribute to the artisans/craftsmen that contributed all the detailing that went into this Cathedral. I found one biography especially relative. I think I need to print this out so I have a daily reminder that things have a way of working themselves out.



some droolworthy smithing:


and now for the woodworking parts


title> Various Photos from National Cathedral in DC
source> My Flickr

On Hold

life is picking up the pace and forcing me to put down my chisel for a while. I'll be stuck being a blog reader and not a writer for a while longer.

ground zero present

title> Freedom Tower Site
source> My Flickr

Part of the perks of my job is getting to work on or next to interesting projects. I was recently working on a building adjacent to ground zero and got to snap some pictures of it from above. As you can see, they've started quite a bit of work on the new freedom tower site. I just thought I'd share since it's such a symbol.

dreams will be dreams?

title> Sampling of Hardware
material> various
source> My Flickr

It's an ongoing dream of mine to attend The North Bennett Street School in Boston, MA. It is a trades school that has quite a reputation. They recently had their annual open house, so I decided to go and check it out, again. This was the second time I've gone there and everytime I go I just yearn more and more to attend. I believe that one day, I'll be in a position to at least take classes there but that day is not today so it's kind of a moot point. Anyway, It was very nice to get to talk to people in all of the programs. I'm particularly interested in the Preservation Carpentry program and Furnituremaking/Cabinetmaking program, go figure. The focus of this school is fine craftsmanship and it is absolutely apparent when you walk into every classroom. Workbenches are filled with objects of beauty and attention to detail. You can tell they spend a lot of time going over handskills and technique.


title> Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
source> My Flickr

While in Boston I also went to see the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum. If you are ever in Boston I think it's probably one of my top 3 things to go see. Bascially its a retired mansion turned museum filled with perfectly preserved books, antiques, and art masterpieces. You would never know of all the treasures that hid inside from the outside of the building but that's part of the awesomeness.