Help Came!

My son James came through in a very important way. I recently received several items that he had produced for me. The items are below and are being added to my inventory right away. I’m so proud of his work – and I know that he’ll do so much more for me in the coming months. Every piece that he did was inspected by me – and a few were eliminated – that happens to my work too. After review, things just don’t work out now and then. The items are:

Lids for the nottle bodies below. I’ll add the cork stopper and apply either a poly or lacquer finish to them all.

Here are the nottle bodies. There’s great variety in color, woods, and shape. All are 1-1/4″ diameter holes. I’ll be making larger diameter containers in the future.

Ah, the Flat Tapestry Needles! These important tools are such a joy to see in use – so many applications. I’ve gotta thank Teri Mauch for asking me to start producing these several years ago. Thanks Teri!

These Bethe Shed sticks w/slot is the brainchild of our friend, Bethe. They are a utility tool that also has many uses.

I’ll be adding photos later of other things in-progress like very very large runs of: Tami Beaters, Sett Tools, all three sizes of hand looms, Floating Sues, Sam’s Seam Tools, and others. I’ve added other woods to the Intermediate looms – they used to be all Cocobolo, but now include Katalox, Coraco de Negra & Brazilian Ebony. They’ll be ready in a few weeks. I did recently complete another 100 or so of the Cocobolo versions. My shoulders continue to improve, but far slower than I’d prefer. I’m hanging in there!

Jim

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Getting Back

Guess what I’m working on now!  Yes, I’m back enough to slowly, carefully, and deliberately work on actual equipment.  Right now I have three foot powered skein winders in progress.  Today I hope to cut all of the mortises for joinery as no mechanical fasteners are used to assemble.  The woods for these three winders are very nice Bird’s Eye/Tiger Maple, Padauk, and Cherry.  I picked planks that have good figure – and it’s so nice to get back to some real creativity.  The sanding process will be a challenge for just can’t support the longer pieces with my right arm yet.  So, will be using a random orbital sander to do that part.  My plans include a large run of weaving/spinning benches as well.  I already have about 40 tops and sets of legs cut and ready for machining.  The stretchers are now a problem to fabricate when the time comes – some will be more of the copper pipe!  A few tops will be from very fine Myrtle Burls and Claro Walnut.  These woods are simply elegant and spectacular.

My son James is working quite well helping me do the smaller turnings and small tool shaping/sanding.  Next week I will start on finishing an enormous run of Nottles – hollow turned vessels with cork stopperd lids that he turned the bodies and lids.  These are included in the Harwood Museum of Art Gift Shop – and the Taos Museum of Art has asked to carry them as well for a special show!  I’m truly honored.  I’ll be getting back to a very active production status between medical stuff still going on.  Our September calendar is absolutely crammed…..  My right shoulder is very slowly healing but my surgeon told me two weeks ago to expect a full additional YEAR for complete recovery.  I’m paying particular attention to directions from my physical therapy doctor – Dan Lenari – in Socorro.  I want to heal right!

Riding my chopper is such a remarkable joy and I’ll never ever get used to it nor take it for granted.  Cat’s trike is getting final customizations and should be ready this week.  Next week we are taking a trike safety class in Santa Fe.  I’m there more to support Cat, but I’ll learn too.  Santa Fe is such a wonderful place to visit – and we did last week for a couple of days.  The food was fantastic at Tomacita’s though I was reminded at why I should avoid all red chili – it promotes radically tough headaches for me for about 24 hours.  The food was not worth the discomfort.  And, we were rather disappointed at how much Jackalope has changed – it’s just not fun anymore.

Here is wishing everyone a superb fall to come.  The leaves on our trees are turning and falling already.  The desert is beginning to take on that look of season changes, and the brilliant blue sky is so pretty.  Just yesterday I saw Pronghorn Antelope, Elk, and Mule Deer on a drive to Socorro, with Turkey Vultures soaring above watching it all with keen attention.

Jim