Back To Work

The holiday season means being busy. Luckily we left our woodshops clean over the long vacation and all the machines are lubricated and ready to go. If you're having trouble getting motivated, start with some of these tips. First hook up with your friends, teachers or agents. These are the folks that have inspired you in the past. They will have ideas and information for you. Next, you will need to take a little road trip. Call the lumber suppliers and go check out all the wood in the area. This provides more inspiration and an idea of supplies and demand. Lastly, spend time in the studio. Make it warm and comfortable. Get used to being back in your work environment. Play music and make sketches. You'll be cutting and gluing before you know it.
Tip Of The Week: Stay fit. You will be needing all the energy you can get. Taking care of you back alone is a part-time job.
Shout Out Of The Week: A special thanks to Artie Bell. You couldn't ask for a better crew on The Sea Ranch. Dependable, affordable and knowledgeable.

End of the Season

For some of us, Autumn means the end of the Art Festival Season. Now is the time to follow a few maintenance and organizational proceedures.
In the Shop: Unplug machines to save energy. Sharpen and oil all blades that require it. Blow out the dust from inside all the machines and hand held power tools. Sweep or wipe all the surfaces including windows and light fixtures.
In the Office: Follow up with mailing list and client list. It's a good idea to email everyone waiting for art. Tell them when they can expect to receive their orders. Update your website.
Tip of the Week: Blasting air through your sanders keeps them running smoothly.
Shout Out of the Week: Thank You to Olkay and everyone at My Tour Expert for planning the ultimate getaways for tired artists and their families.

Getting Back to Work

With an art festival coming in September, I figured it was time to leave all the gardening behind and get back in the shop. Ive been concentrating on having a varied selection of colorful woods. Next time you see me there will be all the colors of the rainbow accounted for in my booth.
Oldest graduated college last week, youngest graduated high school this week. So I can concentrate on working while still finding little moments to celebrate and have some fun. Their accomplishments are so big that it makes wood turning seem small at times. We just have to remind ourselves it is the small things, the little moments that make art and life so unpredictable and joyful.

Tip of the Week: When getting back to work, don't forget to enjoy moments away from the wood shop. Ride that motorcycle, attend that music festival, and don't forget to exercise.

Shout Out of the Week: Thank you to the folks at Grab N Grow. Looks like we'll have at least a few bumper crops this season.

Choosing an Art Festival

I started looking into art festivals in the 1990s. I found many books and magazines that rate art festivals using different descriptions and criteria needed to make a decision on whether or not to apply.
I decided to apply to shows in my area that had a good reputation but also some fringe benefits such as musical entertainment, and great food. I was also sure to find events that showcased artwork in my same price-range to be comfortable that my work wouldn't be too expensive or too low-end for that particular fair. Before long I realized that setting up at street fairs can be rigorous and often confusing.
Through networking with other artists, I learned about the most popular and unpopular shows in America. Many are still just too far away. But maybe someday I will make a road trip back east. It's important to take all costs into account.
Traveling costs include transportation, shipping, lodging and eating.
Show costs include booth fees, extra insurance, licences and often commissions are paid on all sales. Remember that booth fees can range from $100 to $4000 and commissions can eat up to 40% of your total sales.
Choose shows that are in a climate comfortable for you to be out in for many days. Climate can also effect delicate art such as textiles and woodwork. You might want to try an indoor show if you are just starting out.
Plan your first booth very carefully by setting up the booth at home or at work. That way you can take your time designing it and you wont over-crowd the space whether it is 10' x 10' or larger. The larger the booth, the more comfortable patrons feel in it.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to take a chance. Some shows are very hard to get accepted into. When a rejection letter or e-mail comes, just throw it away and move on. Because the very next letter will have good news. And it is good news because art festivals are serious fun.
You will meet hundreds of people, all of them in festive mood and soaking up inspiration from art and artists. You make friendships that can last forever.

Tip of the Week: Go check out art festivals the year before you apply to see if they're right for you.

Shout Out of the Week: Thanks to the management at Gualala Redwoods for the taking us on the tour and answering all of our questions.

Shopping for Wood

The weather has been gloomy lately. Too muddy to work on the landscaping and so I decided to go shopping for wood. I started in Berkeley thinking I could also grab lunch at one of my favorite jaunts right across the street fro Mac Beath. After an uneventful drive I found a whole lot of nothing there. There was one beautiful piece of wenge. The problem was that I drove the truck that day and really needed a van for this massive board. Another issue was the cost, a whopping $500. I passed on it only to find that my beloved tofu house was gone and gone forever. Luckily Berkeley in packed with scores of great places to eat.
Heading north, I totally forgot to check with Handloggers in Richmond. Years ago I would find nice Tulipwood there. They have a nice operation and specialize in wood flooring.
I made it back to Windsor and he guys at Mount Storm seemed to be in good spirits. Only problem was I didn't find anything there either. But they mentioned a shipment coming in soon was expected to be big.
This is the dance I do every few months. Sometimes I come home with a huge load of wood. Other times nothing.
This inventory problem is another sign of a bad economy. Retailers in every category are in a pinch. Trying to sell existing stock while attracting buyers like us is difficult to juggle. For now, I'll call first to find out when shipments are coming in and re-check to see if they actually arrived. But in the end you never know what's going to be there until you see it. Fortunately for me I started seeing this pattern of shortages last year. So I keep a big supply of lumber in the shop. Right now I have enough wood to keep me busy for a couple of years, but cant wait to find some more.

Tip of the Week: If you know exactly what you're looking for, call the retailers and ask a lot of questions including how much things cost. You'll avoid sticker shock and wont be surprised by shortages.

Shout Out of the Week: Thanks to David at Woodcraft in Santa Rosa. This guy is energetic, knowledgeable and helpful.

Q and A

I have received some great questions on my web-site lately. So let's address some of them.

Q: How do you get glue joints so tight?
A: Sharp saw blades are a must. I also check the fit of each joint before gluing them up. If something seems off, use a sander (any standing sander) to work out any gaps.

Q: What kind of glue do you use?
A: I use Titebond II. Plenty of working time before drying. It can take several minutes to get each piece glued up. And you don't want a glue that dries too fast.

Q: How do you cut the pieces so that the grain lines up so nicely?
A: I don't. It just looks like the grain is lined up. Sometimes it actually does.
It would take too long to do such a process. And often it seems like pieces are lined up only to find that they are not after being turned.

Q: My purpleheart turns brown. What do you use to keep it looking so purple?
A: Purpleheart is tricky. I have vessels that are brown after only a year and I have one that has stayed purple since 1998. Always look for lumber that is very bright and purple even after it has been oxidized and on display at the lumber yard for a long time.

Q: Where do you buy your wood?
A: In the San Fran bay area I go to Mount Storm in Windsor and Macbeath in Berkeley.

Tip Of The Week: Be sure to rest your joints, especially your hands,on the weekends or days off.

Shout Out of the Week: Another great job by the teams at Modern Postcard in Carlsbad, California. No better way to spend your advertising dollars.

Finishes

Every woodwooker has their favorite finishes. Today I will discuss my most recent techniques. I think it is a good idea to have at least 2 levels of glossiness in my inventory. Lately, collectors seem to like a natural low-gloss finish. But there are always some clients who want something very shiny or a finish with extra UV protection. I prefer using finishes that are non-toxic (such as oils and waxes) or at least water based (polyurethane).
Orange Oil, for example, is organic and easy to work with and it smells good for many months on a piece. Follow the directions on the can or bottle and you will have a light finish that offers some protection. But most importantly it preserves the wood in a rough way so that the finish can be changed later with no hassles. Similarly, oils are nice and light, but offer little protection to the wood. Some cleaning will be necessary to remove oil before changing to another finish.
I recommend Howard s Orange Oil products, available at Home Depot. And Tung Oil works well on exotics.
For a super high-gloss finish. Use polyurethane in many thin coats. Wet sanding in between every-other coat. And finally using a car buffer in the end. You can use as many as 15 coats.
Lately, I use 3-4 coats of H2O based polyurethane. Be sure to let each coat dry fully before applying more.

Tip Of The Week: Compare non-toxic alternatives to traditional finishes. Using scrap wood to experiment with, you may even prefer the natural products.

Shout Out Of The Week: goes to the helpful professionals at Cal Steam Supply. They are the only source for all your plumbing needs.

Exotic Woods Sampler

Today I will discuss some of my favorite and least favorite woods.
Let's start with the infamous Cocobolo.
Cocobolo is a beautiful wood from Africa. It is often streaked with an amazing array of colors ranging from black to white and many colors in between. Even hints of blue have been seen in the grain, which ranges from wide to narrow grain. I have a few reservations about this important wood. Cocobolo is hard to work with for many reasons. Firstly there is a high content of "oil" or other chemical that makes glue difficult to adhere to. Secondly, there have reports of people becoming ill from the saw dust. And third, Cocobolo is often harvested in a manner that is irresponsible and damaging to ecosystems and people. Unfortunately this third point can be made against many other exotic woods. Ebony, for example, is a beautiful black wood that takes many generations to reach maturity. In addition, the physical toll it takes to harvest the wood is not worth such exploitation of villagers (men, women, and children.)
While many other woods are not sustainably harvested or grown, it is difficult to be sure which ones to avoid. Try to buy your woods from reputable retail outlets that know the origins of their inventories. Avoid ordering lumber from jungle regions unless you have visited the place personally and met the workers. It is important that your small amount of wood that you use is not the cause of any exploitation, pollution or environmental damage.
This brings me to one of my favorites, Purpleheart. Purpleheart is a south American Hardwood that ranges from brown to purple. When selecting your lumber, look for uniform color throughout. And try to find wood that looks more purple and less brown. This is a fairly common wood that is used for building construction in many parts of South America, although it is heavy and expensive to export.
In a future installment of my blog I will share a chart with all of you. This is a chart listing many of the woods I use. Retail price, ease of workability, and other pros and cons are on the chart. You will find it very useful.
That's it for this week. Check in next time for a look at "must-have" tools for the beginner woodturner.

Tip Of The Week: Always look at wood before you buy it. It is the only way to know what you are buying.

Shout Out Of The Week: A special thanks to Heran Bago and Bagel Tech for your consultation and for all the great charity work you do. I am excited to be a part of your upcoming project!

Welcome to my New Blog!

My name is Robert Gauthier and I am pleased to announce the launch of my Exotic Woodworking Blog. I have developed some interesting techniques over the years that I will share with all of you. My current work is a collection of segmented vessels made of the most beautiful hardwoods in the world. Using a large Canadian lathe from the Oneway Co. I am able to make vases as long as 6ft., maybe more.
I live and work in Sebastopol, California and The Sea Ranch, California. Our sons are grown up and my wife and I agree that Sonoma County was a good choice to raise our family. Most of the year offers fine weather, which is crucial for this kind of woodworking. Regulating temperature and humidity in my shop is quite easy all year-round.
Northern California is also abundant with recreation, another requirement when doing such exhausting work. Since my woodart has become architectural in size and design, I have noticed a much greater need to take advantage of all the eco-tourism my area has to offer. For example, the rugged coast teams with wildlife and vast isolated beaches. Daily doses of fresh air are crucial after breathing dust. Even with my top notch dust collection system, I am sure small particles make there way on my skin and yes, my lungs. The benefits are not only environmental here, but the whole San Francisco Bay Area boasts cultural activities and food choices from all over the world.
Check in next week and read all about some of my favorite woods. I'll discuss wenge, bubinga and others. The pros and cons certain woods and what to expect from them.

Tip of the week: Always work in a well ventilated area if indoors. Protect your lungs at all costs, sparing no expense when setting up your dust collection system.

Shout Out of the week: Kudos to the brand new Tri-Point Medical Center in Ohio. Thank you for including my art in your state-of-art facility!