Several years ago, 2006 to be exact, Michael Dresdner contacted me to ask about profiling my work and practice in an upcoming Woodworker’s Journal online publication. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to talk about my woodworking and how I got to where I was at the time. I was transitioning from primarily being a box maker to furniture making and the reasons for this shift in direction were discussed in the interview.
In that period, I had completed a series of courses at a high-end furniture making school and began to use hand tools more in my work. I recall that the year 2006 was an important juncture in my woodworking. I had embraced the Krenov philosophy and his methods of work. Reading and attending the fine furniture making school inspired me to increase the complexity and scale of my woodworking. I also learned to slow down my woodworking and focus instead on each and every piece rather than applying myself to creating in batch mode ( multiples). So my direction changed dramatically in the years 2006-2008 to where I now design + build one-off furniture pieces exclusively.
The most important takeaway from the interview would likely be the last line: “If you are tired of your day job, Pirollo advises, do what I did. Pursue your passion instead.” I completely believe in this quote to this day. It is never to early to pursue your passion. Get a head start, so if unforeseen circumstances affect your livelihood (career), you will be prepared. Early on my hi-tech career, I pursued many woodworking courses at the college level, set up my own workshops and struggled and worked at learning woodworking. After experiencing a total of 3 downsizings, I gave up on my hi-tech career and moved on to a career in woodworking. This had been my Plan B all along 🙂 The important part is that I was well prepared to launch a second career. You never know where fate will lead you!
I’ll let you read the article.
Norman Pirollo: The Refined Edge of White Mountain
The following topics are covered in detail in this 16 part design and build class:
With the limited time we have available today, it becomes critical to use it productively and efficiently. Developing a good furniture design saves time and resources and provides a more rewarding furniture build. Getting the proportions right is also essential in establishing the appeal of the furniture piece. So I am passing on my knowledge of furniture design in this new course and hopefully establish a dialog of furniture design with participants in the course.
Norman maintains a blog of ongoing projects in his studio at: pirollodesign.com as well as having recently written and published four books. Books and magazines featuring the authors furniture, work methods and philosophy:
Uniquely designed wall art in a three dimensional contemporary styling. Highly figured quilted maple evokes a unique depiction. The wall art is raised and set in a black frame to provide three dimensionality and depth. All surfaces are hand planed and scraped to provide meticulous attention to both detail and finishing. Finishing performed utilizing a classic French Polishing technique.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional contemporary style. This organic sculpture depicts a raging inferno and is composed of a combination of highly figured maple, clear maple and a rosewood base. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac in a French Polish process. This process maintains the clarity and depth of the figured woods and draws out the natural undulating graphics.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional contemporary style. This organic sculpture depicts a rising flame and is composed of highly figured maple with a rosewood base. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac in a French Polish process. This process maintains the clarity and depth of the figured woods and draws out the natural undulating graphics.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional modern style. This upper part of the sculpture is a tapered pie-shaped cross-section of an African blackwood tree which includes the lighter live edge or bark portion. The base of the sculpture is sliced from a mesquite tree. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. The wood is not stained and attains a natural patina over time and with exposure to ambient light. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional modern style. This sculpture is a cross-section; of an African blackwood tree which includes the lighter live edge or bark portion. The natural organic shape of the sculpture displays the beauty which nature has provided us. The base of the sculpture is sliced from a mesquite tree and outlines the natural growth rings which have accumulated over time. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. The wood is not stained and attains a natural patina over time and with exposure to ambient light. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac and polished.
Uniquely designed mixed media sculpture in an art deco style. Angular cherry sides combine both stepped form and chevron design elements. The triangle shaped center has a blackwood inlay. This combination of art deco style elements symbolizes a cupping or holding in reverence of the center component. Metal serves to join the center piece to the sides. The base is solid blackwood. Surfaces are hand scraped and formed. Meticulous attention is provided to both detail and finishing. The wood is not stained and attains a natural patina over time and with exposure to ambient light. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac, polished and waxed.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional modern style. This sculpture depicts a shrine and is composed of a combination of big leaf maple, ebony, stone and blackwood. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. The wood is not stained and attains a natural patina over time and with exposure to ambient light. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional contemporary style. This organic sculpture depicts a rising flame and is composed of highly figured maple with a rosewood base. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac in a French Polish process. This process maintains the clarity and depth of the figured woods and draws out the natural undulating graphics.
Uniquely designed wall art in a three dimensional contemporary styling. Highly figured quilted maple evokes a unique depiction. The wall art is raised and set in a black frame to provide three dimensionality and depth. All surfaces are hand planed and scraped to provide meticulous attention to both detail and finishing. Finishing performed utilizing a classic French Polishing technique.
Uniquely designed wall art in a three dimensional contemporary styling. Highly figured maple evokes a unique depiction. The wall art is raised and set in a platinum frame to provide three dimensionality and depth. All surfaces are hand planed and scraped to provide meticulous attention to both detail and finishing. Finishing performed utilizing a classic French Polishing technique.
Uniquely designed wall art in a three dimensional contemporary styling. Highly figured quilted maple evokes a unique depiction. The wall art is raised and set in a black frame to provide three dimensionality and depth. All surfaces are hand planed and scraped to provide meticulous attention to both detail and finishing. Finishing performed utilizing a classic French Polishing technique.
Uniquely designed wall art in a three dimensional contemporary styling. Highly figured quilted maple evokes a unique depiction. The wall art is raised and set in a black frame to provide three dimensionality and depth. All surfaces are hand planed and scraped to provide meticulous attention to both detail and finishing. Finishing performed utilizing a classic French Polishing technique.
Uniquely designed wall art in a three dimensional contemporary styling. Highly figured quilted maple evokes a unique depiction. The wall art is raised and set in a black frame to provide three dimensionality and depth. All surfaces are hand planed and scraped to provide meticulous attention to both detail and finishing. Finishing performed utilizing a classic French Polishing technique.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional contemporary style. This organic sculpture depicts a rising flame and is composed of highly figured maple veneers with a rosewood base. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac in a French Polish process. This process maintains the clarity and depth of the figured woods and draws out the natural undulating graphics.
Uniquely designed sculpture in a three dimensional contemporary style. This organic sculpture depicts a rising flame and is composed of highly figured maple veneers with a rosewood base. Meticulous attention is provided to detail and finishing. Finished with multiple coats of thinned shellac in a French Polish process. This process maintains the clarity and depth of the figured woods and draws out the natural undulating graphics.
So I also use the new maker’s mark for my other work, namely woodworking tools. I find a place on each tool to inlay the maker’s mark. In a strange way, adding a maker’s mark inspires me to do my best work. Attaching my name to a furniture piece or handmade tool makes me more conscious of how the tool or furniture will likely be passed on from generation to generation.
Furniture maker’s marks also provide a historical point of reference to a piece of furniture or tool. The maker and country of origin can then be traced back to a particular maker. Maker’s marks can be stamped on a furniture piece or hand tool or created as brass inlay similar to this new one applied to my work.
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. It is my favourite time of year. I can shed the layers of clothing of other seasons and simply walk out the door. No complaints here about heat or humidity. This only really lasts a few weeks or months and the freezing cold alternative is always fresh on my mind 🙂
I have been using this miter saw and stand setup for a long while now. I never did fold and put it away. It is so convenient that I prefer it to remain set up. Soon after using it for the first few times, I realized dust control would be necessary. A dust port adapter was set up to connect the exhaust port to a dedicated shop vacuum. Still debating whether I need to make a dust shroud for it, but it works well as is and I like that the miter saw isn’t hidden in a shroud. Overall, a fun, exciting build and at times challenging!
The dimensions in the current version will be close to that of the earlier version since the proportions appealed to me. I have not yet designed or created the components for the stand, so this might be different than the earlier version. What I typically do is build the cabinet, then begin work on the platform or stand. The process is not as overwhelming to me using this approach, as I prefer to work on a project in stages. The satisfaction of seeing tangible progress in the project motivates and excites me to continue 🙂 More details to follow on the individual components and joinery used.
Other videos discuss hand planes,shooting boards and bench hooks. These are essential tools I use in my own workshop. Once familiar with these tools, your woodworking will arrive at the next level. Feel free to subscribe to the YouTube channel 
With this all done, I tackled the shelves under two of my larger workbenches below. It is so true what they say that these shelves eventually become storage for anything and everything. By now I was merciless, I wanted clean surfaces free of clutter. This exercise also provided me the opportunity to get re-acquainted with some buried tools and hardware 🙂
