It's been awhile...

happy 2010 out there! got the first semester under my belt and class begins back on the 4th of jan. i haven't been in the shop for over 1.5 weeks and and really joneing to get back at it.

the first semester was a learning one. for 2 months or so we work on several basic exercises including building 3 (smoother, jointer, and coopeing) wooden handplanes, krenov style. next we're some jointery tests (all done by hand) thru-dovetails, half blinds, mortise and tenon, the perfect board, dowelling, frame and panel, coopering and a few others.

upon completing these, we moved into the first project. i made hallway table made form american elm and kwila, which i will post when i get them. this was a "simple" project and i really wanted to focus on perfection (whatever that means). i'd say the greatest thing that i've taken away is that everything can be fixed and there's no need to panic, sh!t your pants...there's always a fix for 99% of when things go awry.

so after that, was onto my next project, the lowboard/sideboard/credenza, which is currently underway. the piece is made out of some peruvian walnut, apple bending ply, and have incorporated half-blinds dovetails, shopsawn veneers, and currently am making my own brass knife hinges. i've pulled out all the stops on this project and and trying to learn as much as i can before my departure in may. i'de like to do a third project of either a hollow wooden surfboard or a pair of mid century modern armchairs...only time will tell.

after that, there is an option of going for a second year (if selected) and possibly attending capellagarden in sweeden for one semester. we'll see how things go.

so that's my update for now. batteries are recgarged, surfed 10 out of 11 days and am ready to crank once again.