Most of these are single items that got finished after the main batch was done for some odd reason. The MBO just got misplaced. The Cracker Thing needed another end cut. The sign (I actually made 6) was one that didn’t get made when I “completed” the rest of my inventory of signs.
For whatever reason, here are 8 different kinds of items that just finished.
A few notes on the bread saws, as I made a very large batch of them:
There are 7 different kinds of woods here – Sapele, Hard Maple, Padauk, Purpleheart, Goncalo Alves, Cherry & Osage Orange.
My biggest injury in months was when my driver slipped and the bread saw blade went into my thumb. I actually used a band aid. These blades are sharp!
These pictures have the blade guards installed on every saw except for the one featured in the picture of the Purpleheart Bread Saws. Safety First!
A few of these Bread Saws have cord tied around the bow holding the saw blade. That’s how I identify left handed models.
Putting the magic in the bottle openers is the hard part.
As you would expect, yes?
You see, there are 2 kinds of magic: the kind that catches the caps when you open your favorite bottled beverage, and the kind that magically attaches the bottle opener to your attractive refrigerator.
No, the magic doesn’t work if your refrigerator isn’t attractive. Sorry; it’s really not about my judgement of kitchen appliance beauty. It’s the magic.
Putting the magic into the bottle opener requires multiple steps. It requires social distancing between the bottle openers. Chemicals are involved. It requires time.
All MBOs are about 5″ x 11″ and are easily wall-mountable. MBOs with extra magic can also mount on your fridge … if it’s attractive. Them’s the rules!
With this group of MBOs now finished, I have over 100 of them in inventory. That’s something I’ve never accomplished before. Now … time to move on to the next batch which will be a really pot pourri. Already picked & processed in the shop are a batch of large handled boards, cutting boards, cribbage boards, signs, custom orders, serving pieces….
If you would like to purchase a Magic Bottle Opener, a complete description is on the newly reformatted MrMsWoodshop.com. Act quickly: time is running out! Just for the next 3 days, you can get 2 promotional offers:
Free shipping for any order over $50
20% off all purchases with the promo code “MrMsLaunch”.
If there is a specific MBO or two that you’re interested in, hover over or click on the photo to reveal the name of that particular piece. Wall mount MBOs are in the format of 20 – 1xx, and Fridge mount MBOS are 20 – 2xx. Put the numbers of your favorite(s) in the notes section of your order form, and I’ll make sure that I pull the one that has the magic just for you. Here’s the link to go directly to the MBO page on MrMsWoodshop.com.
It’s been 2 years since I’ve made a Magic Bottle Opener. 2 years since I stopped making what was my top selling item – at the time I stopped making them!
What happened?
I went to a show, and there were 4 vendors there selling cheap & ineffective bottle openers that were merely pretending to be MBOs. Just like that, I lost my muse. I moved on.
Now, honestly, that’s no excuse. My quality didn’t change. My sales didn’t change. But, somehow, I felt I needed to move on & make other things. I stopped making MBOs.
Wrong, I was.
For those of you new to the Woodshop, you may be wondering, WHAT IS A MAGIC BOTTLE OPENER? Here’s the MBO that hangs on our fridge:
Here’s a action video answer, courtesy of MrsMowry:
There are 2 kinds of MBOs. In the video you saw a “double magic” MBO: it is magically stuck to the refrigerator, and it magically catches the cap when you open your favorite bottled beverage. I also make a “single magic” MBO, which mounts on your wall or cabinet, and then catches your cap.
All MBOs are made from hardwood, both domestic & imported. All MBOs get a hand-rubbed urethane finish, so your magical device is protected from the fizzes and spritzes that can happen when a bottle opens.
You know me: when I commit, I don’t waver. My muse was BACK, and I was going to make MBOs. I put over 100 MBOs into production in the shop, and 56 of them have made it to the finish line.
If you feel the need for a little magic in your life, the MBOs can be purchased on the newly reformatted MrMsWoodshop.com. Plus, for the rest of May I have 2 special offers going that just might work for you:
Free shipping for orders over $50
20% off of all purchases with the promo code “MrMsLaunch”.
Here’s a direct link to the page where these MBOs are for sale. Below, there are pictures of the newly minted MBOs. Hover over or click on a picture, and you can get the number of the MBO. Wall Mount versions will be numbered “20 – 1xx” and Fridge Mount versions are numbered “20 – 2xx”. Choose the one(s) that you like, and give me those number(s) in the notes with your order. That way, you’ll get to choose the magic that’s just right for you!
I almost sold out of Magic Bottle Openers last year. I ended the year with only 3 on hand … and since I sell several at every event, I was in trouble for this year.
Did I mention our first event is this weekend?
So, back to the shop.
For the first time, I cut the holes for the magic using the CNC. So, while I was smoothing and shaping the blanks, the CNC was saving me a few steps at the drill press. Now, every hole is perfectly drilled and perfectly placed the same way every time.
It’s not magic, but it is a really good idea!
So, here are new MBOs, just in time. With this batch, though, I’m now out of magic … my shopping list just never ends. That’s a good thing, right?
The holiday season is UPON us, and the shop has been humming to try and keep up.
I’m failing, mind you, but I’m doing my best.
This week, I’m focused on cleaning up loose ends, and moving things to the finish line as QUICKLY as I can. And, again, I feel like I’m failing, but I’m doing my best.
I’m staring at 5 weekends of events. Every weekend through 12/17 is booked … 8 events in 5 weeks.
I think I’ve earned my crazy, how about you?
And, that doesn’t include the corporate gifts and movie industry general purpose boxes (“apple boxes”) that I’ve agreed to make, either.
So, I’m a bit wacky these days. I’m counting down to 12/24 … and praying I don’t miss any deliveries too badly. Just about everything has to be delivered by Christmas, and I’m focused on making that happen!
Cutting Board 17 – 132. Hard Maple, Black Walnut & Purpleheart. Juice Groove. Edge Grain. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/8″.
Cheese & Cracker Server 17 – 01. Hard Maple. 12″ x 15″ x 1-1/8″. Prototype.
Cutting Board 17 – 133. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Yellowheart & Purpleheart. Edge grain, Juice groove. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/8″.
Cutting Board 17 – 134. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Honey Locust & Padauk. Edge grain, Juice groove. 14″ x 18″ x 1-1/8″.
Cutting Board 17 – 135. Purpleheart & Hard Maple. Edge grain. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/8″.
Bear 17 – 01. Black Walnut. 10″ x 19″ x 3/4″.
Cutting Board 17 – 137. Jatoba, Honey Locust & Hard Maple. Edge grain, Juice groove. 14″ x 11″ x 1-1/8″.
Cutting Board 17 – 136. Hard Maple. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/8″.
Cutting Board 17 – 138. Hard Maple, Jatoba, Padauk & Bloodwood. Edge grain, Juice groove. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/8″.
This is part 2 of the big batch of MBOs made for the 4th quarter boutiques.
If you missed the explanation of what an MBO is, check out the previous post, here.
21 of these are double magic, or fridge mount MBOs. 16 are single magic, or wall mount versions. All will wall mount, of course.
My only remaining question is will this be enough magic for 2017 … or will I need to make another batch in November. That’s honestly what I think will happen, as these are consistently a top seller, and we have many miles to go before we can relax in January.
But don’t be fooled: when I talk about my plan for shop time in November, it’s all a fantasy. I have NO CLUE how I’m going to make what I need to make, when I’m going to make it, or how I’ll be clinging to sanity when our 4th quarter events are done. No. Clue.
Our next event is going to be just for me, the Claremont Village Venture Arts & Crafts Faire on Saturday, October 27. I did it last year as a solo act, and I’m going back for a second year … which is unusual! Solo events don’t often work out, but this one was good.
Hopefully, I’ll see you there, but if not, then please stay tuned for the next edition of The Board Chronicles!
It seems like forever since I needed more magic in my life!
I haven’t made a batch of Magic Bottle Openers in some time … and my inventory showed it. These things that I call MBOs are usually my top-selling item. I have a lot of fun demonstrating them, and entertain a lot of beer drinkers.
Because the reason there is a Mr M’s Woodshop is I’m having fun. Sharing the magic is just a part of that.
At left is the MBO that’s on our refrigerator. It catches the caps off of the bottles when they’re opened, of course, and it also sticks to our refrigerator.
Magic.
Not only does catching the caps please Mrs M, she’s also begun an amateur sculpting career seeing how many caps she can mold onto the wood. As her sculpture grows, inevitably I will brush it on my way past, knocking a cap onto the floor. That’s when Walter the Attack Cat pounces; he likes playing with bottle caps that have been magically held in space, just waiting for him to have fun with them.
So, now I’m having fun making. Mrs M is having fun sculpting. Walter’s having fun pouncing. What’s not to like?
I made a large batch of MBOs, but only a few made it to the finish line in time for this weekend’s event. More are coming just as soon as I can take them across the finish line. I made sure to make several that are easily personalized for your favorite beer drinker. Some of these are wall mount versions; some are fridge mounts.
Have fun with them!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 644. Purpleheart & Hard Maple. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 645. Hard Maple, Canarywood, Honey Locust & Jatoba. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 646. Sapele, Honey Locust & Canarywood. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 647. Honey Locust, Pau Ferro, Sapele & Honey Locust. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 648. Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Canarywood & Yellowheart. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 649. Black Walnut, Honey Locust, Cherry & Yellowheart. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 650. Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Bubinga & Cherry. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 651. Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Jatoba, Canarywood, Cherry, Honey Locust, Yellowheart. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 65. Black Walnut, Teak, Purpleheart & Canarywood. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 653. Black Walnut, Cherry & Jatoba. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 654. Padauk, Hard Maple, Honey Locust. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 655. Sapele, Cherry & Black Walnut. Double Magic – means it can fridge mount or wall mount.
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 912. Black Walnut, Canarywood, Purpleheart & Teak. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 913. Purpleheart & Hard Maple. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 914. Hard Maple, Pau Ferro, Canarywood & Sapele. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 915. Sapele, Cherry & Jatoba. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 916. Purpleheart, Hard Maple, Cherry & Yellowheart. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 917. Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Canarywood & Yellowheart. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 918. Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Bubinga & Cherry. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Opener 17 – 919. Pau Ferro, Jatoba & Cherry. Single Magic = Wall mount only!
Magic Bottle Openers stick to your attractive refrigerator. If your refrigerator isn’t attractive, then the MBO will still wall mount. And it doesn’t care how attractive your wall is, because it’s pre-drilled and I’ll give you the mounting hardware.
MBOs continue to be my # 1 seller. I now use 6 different colors & styles of bottle openers mounted on the seemingly infinite combinations of wood possible when you work with 20 different hardwood species.
Mrs M is even helping me make them now, as its best if I have help when we’re gluing the magic into the MBOs. Double Magic MBOs have 7 pieces of magic, and it gets pretty exciting when those pieces start, uh, attracting each other, and flipping into places where I don’t want them.
Magic has to be contained, you see. If it’s allowed to run rampant, then unforeseen things could happen, and that’s just not what I’m about.
Well, I call them MBOs among the family, who have heard me talking about them enough to not want to sit through the polysyllabic formal name: Magic Bottle Openers.
I am surprised, though, that many people see these bottle openers at an event, and don’t immediately appreciate the magic. I mean, I always display the MBOs with a vertical sample that has bottle caps stuck on it magically – held in mid-air against the forces of gravity.
That’s magic.
I guess people might think those caps are glued in place, but that’s why I move them when I demonstrate the magic in the MBOs. At that point, I generally get a comment about how the MBO has an m-word in it … and I always correct the customer. Every customer.
They are MAGIC, thank you very much.
These 12x MBOs are double magic, in fact: not only will they catch your bottle caps, but they will also stick to your refrigerator, if it’s attractive. If your refrigerator isn’t attractive, though….
MBOs are approximately 5″ x 11″ x 3/4″. I use 5 different colors/styles of bottle openers, and all MBOs, even these “fridge mount” versions, are pre-drilled for wall mounting, if that’s your preference. I’ll even give you the longer screws needed to wall mount the MBO; you just remove the short screws that hold on the bottle opener, and replace them with the long screws to attach to your mounting surface.
It’s been a glorious run. 75 days without an event meant I had time to retire to the garage woodshop, and really get to making. And then Dr H showed up, and showed me how the professionals do it.
He just recently actually retired, you see, so he’s the professional at, uh, retiring. Me, I’ve got a long way to go before I can say I don’t have a job, just a hobby. And it’s an out of control hobby, at that.
While he was here, I showed him how I do what I do for fun. He even had some fun with me, until I handed him a sander & told him to get to work.
And work he did. That’ll teach him … ’cause that boy needs teaching. And if you know him, you know what I mean.
But, unfortunately, all good things must end and Dr H’s vacation from retirement (which is confusing to me) is over and he’s now on the way home. I’m left sweeping the floors by myself … which is a good thing, as there is a lot of sawdust to clean up. Vacations are over, making is complete for now, and it’s time to get back to vendoring.
This is a solo show for me; Mrs M has concluded she may not belong at Home & Garden Shows. No matter; I’m sure that I’ll be able to find a good time. In Fresno. After all, I’m bringing the magic with me.
