Field trip!

So the most recent photos are from our field trips to three different woodworkers' workshops.  The first one was Alex Hamilton, of Tidewater Mill,  who does architectural millwork.  That means he works with contractors and architects who order milled wood that he makes into :  giant doors,  banisters, some cabinet work.  He has worked for a number of big names : Keith Richards, Martha Stewart, etc.  So he had some good words to share about the business end of the business.  His workshop - 3 buildings actually - is equipped with a CNC  (most of the men in the group went "ooooooh" when they heard this!)  which is a computer that gets set up to program the routers to shape the wood exactly how he wants it shaped - that's up, down, diagonal, back up in the middle, etc.  It's amazing; and it's not close enough to hand work to have his actual work be interesting to me.  But as I said he is well informed of the business end and I couldn't help but be impressed by the journey he's taken : from building boats to making home adornment that are reminiscent of the sea.  He has 6 employees.

Next stop:  Kevin Rodel, furniture maker in the Arts and Crafts vein.  He is the opposite in many ways to Mr. Hamilton.   Kevin works by himself in an old mill on the Kennebeck River.   He designs and builds his furniture in his studio.  He has the basic machines, including a band saw from the 40's!,  and lots of planes and chisels and clamps.   He has designed a couple pieces that he regularly makes or tweaks a little.  He has taught at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship as well.   He stressed the importance of finding your niche by figuring out what you are interested in and then studying where it comes from.  In other words, he knows the original Arts and Crafts furniture movement inside and out and has written a book about it.  So people know he's the guy to make the furniture in that style.

Last stop:  Howard Hatch.  Of Hatch Billiards.  He actually loves to make big pieces of furniture from big pieces of wood and has made many liturgical pieces and sets.  And one day he was working for a guy doing carpentry and the guy said he wanted a pool table and Howard said he wanted to build one and destiny was set.   He loves the mix of carpentry and physics in the tables, the puzzle.   He stated the most strongly of the three that it's a bad time to get into this business (although I'm not convinced it's any worse than any other) ~ be sure you've either married well or have a back up plan because it's a tough way to make a living.
I loved that all three of these guys still love their work.   They still find inspiration somehow and still have the passion.  That was really nice to see - because they've all been doing it for 30+ years.

So this is probably a good time to mention my wonderful instructors:
Tim Rousseau, lead instructor.  Been making furniture for many years and teaching at the center for several, as well as taught in Autralia one year.  Has lived in Maine long enough to seem to me like a native.  He makes beautiful furniture and has a great sense of humor.  Gobs of patience and likes to talk about oceans of things (oceans of dovetails, oceans of lectures, etc)  and how/why not to bring shame on your tent (for doing crappy woodworking).  He is also an ace mechanic on the machines we use.
First assistant instructor was Aaron Fedarko.  He makes Shaker-ish furniture. He's an ace at chairs and dovetails.  All-around good guy plus he rents the workspace next to my house so I get to check on his progress a lot - and give him tips .  haha
Current assistant instructor:  Austin Matheson.   He found his niche in the Colonial West Indies reproduction furniture.  So he makes ornate pieces with flamingoes and palms on them.  He is from Miami and is heading back there after our class ends so he can rear his child with a little family around for a few years.  He is a cowboy - not afraid of anything and why wait?  Let's just do it!  Great energy.

If you are interested in how I'm being influenced, check out the websites of these instructors, as well as the websites of the men we visited this week.  Fascinating stuff!
On a personal note, I learned how to use a spokeshave today and I love it!  It's like magic!
Ok, that's all for now