Tuesday 9 February 2010

What a trip!

Firstly - let me apologize for the delay in posting... I have been very busy in the shop these last several weeks, working on a very challenging and unique plane. I will post pictures once it has been delivered. In the meantime - here are a few shots of a recently completed A5ss infilled with Rosewood.








I have also started working on the quarter-sawn White Oak trim in the living room. The first piece of the 4 piece baseboard has been installed. It was a bit of a challenge because the floor is not level. We used a laser level to mark “level” around the perimeter of the room and used this to locate the baseboard. With the first piece installed - the rest should go smoothly (famous last words I know). The terrazzo hearth was installed yesterday and Jill tells me it is sensational. I cannot wait to see it!

Oh, I am in San Francisco right now. I am leaving for the airport in a few hours and thought I should write something while it is all fresh in my mind.

What a trip it has been. Every single day has been spent with great people - some old friends and some new ones. Ron Hock and Linda were the first on the adventure list. They were attending the LN show in LA and decided to stay in the Bay area between that show and the one at the Crucible. Ron was waiting for me in the baggage claim area, and I have to say - seeing him there was a wonderful sight. Thanks again Ron. Ron had suggested that we go to the De Young and see Tut. I have to say - this exhibit blew me away!

There was one small statue that really did it for all of us. It was one of the earlier pieces in the show, but it stuck with all of us. It was a 12" figure of a woman (sorry - I cannot remember her name) carved out of wood. She had the most extraordinary carved braids but the real zinger was her dress. The carved fabric was so well done that you could see every single curve of her legs. It was exquisite. The artist managed to make it look sheer and even had a slight indent for her belly-button. She was a very striking figure.

The overall quality of the craftsmanship was incredible. The lips on the figures were amazing as were the proportions and overall qualities of the lines. I always enjoy seeing what the best looks like - I have a new definition of where the bar is.

There was also an Amish quilt exhibit that none of us knew about. The quilts were amazing and very modern. It was shocking to read the cards to realize many of them were made before 1930. It was also interesting to note the differences between Amish quilts and Mennonite quilts.

We attended the LN hand tool show at the Crucible on Friday and Saturday. The show was great and I enjoyed catching up with old friends and making many new ones. These traveling shows that LN is hosting are quite amazing and are a fantastic resource for hand tool users. Thanks to Thomas and the rest of the LN crew for continuing to do them.

I have been spending these last few days with another good friend. We took a drive up the coast to see the amazing California coast line. We had a wonderful lunch at a sea-side spot that was packed despite the fact it was in the middle of nowhere. Of all the places I have visited over the years, California could very easily be called “home”. I love everything about it. The people are wonderful, the climate is amazing (especially when there is a foot of snow at home), and the woodworking community is second to none. And the food... wow! The quality of the ingredients is unbelievable.

I had better sign off now and finish packing up. I promise to post more often from now on.

11 Comments:

Anonymous Scott said...

How about a hint about the plane you're working on.
Scott

9 February 2010 at 15:04  
Blogger David said...

realy hard at work!!
Good for you!
David

9 February 2010 at 17:10  
Anonymous Alexander A. said...

Konrad, I thoroughly enjoyed your earlier postings about the herringbone floor installation. Very inspirational for a young amateur like me. Thank you! Would you please post some pictures of the trim?

9 February 2010 at 17:49  
Blogger Unknown said...

Konrad-

I enjoyed chatting with you at the LNTW event in Oakland; I'm inspired to give jigless sharpening another go...

And I'm glad you had a chance to enjoy some of the local sights. Hopefully you made it up to see some of the Coastal Redwoods...

I hope to see you out here again next year.

-Tom

11 February 2010 at 00:37  
Blogger Joe Powers said...

Konrad,

I visit SF fairly often and was curious to hear whose woodwork/shops you found worth visiting.

11 February 2010 at 10:18  
Blogger matt@thuja said...

Hey Konrad, that rosewood in the A5ss plane is just awesome! I've zoomed in on those pictures about ten times now...awesome.

Matt

13 February 2010 at 23:18  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Scott,

I think I have an obscure hint:) Stay tuned...

Cheers,
Konrad

14 February 2010 at 09:39  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Alexander,

I certainly will post pics of the trim. I am hoping to get a bit more done this coming week and will post once it looks like some work has actually been done.

Cheers,
Konrad

14 February 2010 at 09:40  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Tom,

Glad the jigless sharpening discussion (rant?) was inspirational and not offensive. Let me know how you make out with it.

The drive up the coast was amazing - man, I love the west coast.

See you next year,
Konrad

14 February 2010 at 09:44  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Joe,

I did not get a chance to see too many shops during my visit. I have never been in a shop that I did not find fascinating though - everyone I have met has a different way of working, a different layout and different tools. It is always interesting to see how people work - and the work they produce.

Cheers,
Konrad

14 February 2010 at 09:47  
Blogger Konrad said...

Thanks Matt. The plane is still here if you want to see it in person:)

Cheers,
Konrad

14 February 2010 at 09:47  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home