And with that statement, I define the most interesting thing about Lazy Susans.
No one knows WHY we call Lazy Susans … Lazy Susans. No one.
The first written instance that has been found was in a Vanity Fair magazine over a 100 years ago. My first Lazy Susans introduced this fact way back in 2014, when the Woodshop idea was but a dream. I did quickly learn that I could make Lazy Susans that people really liked … even as they had no idea why they called Susan Lazy.
See the link below back to that original post that explored the origins of a favorite serving piece. And, here you see the latest additions to my collection of the latest torments to all of the Susans in the world.
My Susans are about 17.5″ in diameter. The bearing that revolves is rated for 500 pounds … but I wouldn’t go there. As the weight increases, inertia will be a powerful problem to overcome. Because … physics.
Who knew that Susans being lazy could be so instructional?
I’ve been making wooden coasters for a while now (though I’ve been out for over a year, so….).
In any event, I have seen wooden coasters made by others … and found them wanting.
The purpose of a coaster is to protect the table surface from water condensation and scratches from the bottom of the glass. The purpose of the coaster is NOT to use up a woodworker’s small “scrap.”
I don’t have scrap. Ever. I use the wood that I have, and find what each piece of wood should be. That’s my job.
So, I make coasters on blanks that make 4x coasters. Each blank is 22″ long, and has to go through the CNC and the table saw to make a 5″ square piece of wood … with a 4″ cork insert on one side.
I have found that some people like 4 matched coasters, how I make them. However, there are many people that like a set of 4 coasters that are similar but not exactly alike. These are what I call chaos coasters, and these are Mrs M’s people. My mind is much more linear. Hers is more … chaotic.
I mean no disrespect. Believe me?
So, coasters come in sets of 4. Some are matchy matchy, and some are … in chaotic groupings. Y’all get to choose.
Well, not really. I’ve had it stored on end in the cut-offs rolling cart for most of that time, waiting for me to figure out what it was. The cut off was about 30″ long, 8″ wide … and I wasn’t sure what it was. It had really pretty, creamy sapwood on both sides, some bark, and that vibrant yellow from newly smoothed Osage Orange in sort of an hourglass shape down the middle.
It was pretty. But I didn’t know what it was.
So, as I occasionally do, I went to what’s her name for inspiration. It went something like this.
Me: “This board is pretty, but I don’t know what to do with it. What should I do with it?”
Her: “Make something.”
Me: “But what should I make? I like this wood.”
Her: “Cut it up and make a board.”
I swear that’s what she said.
See? Great inspirational dialogue. That’s why we’ve been married for 45 years.
So here is that pretty board. Pure Osage Orange, AKA Hedge. The vibrant yellow will darken with age and UV exposure, and end up being a medium brown. The creamy sapwood (newer growth) will not change color much, I believe.
Small Board 23 – 401a. Osage Orange. Approximately 9″ x 11″ x 5/8″. Non-skid rubber feet.
Since the Lady was so much help, I left an Easter Egg for you to enjoy.
It’s good to get things out of my head. These Serving Trays were a long time coming.
I knew I wanted to make trays with sides on them. That’s a classic serving piece, and I’m all about serving pieces. I needed to do serving trays. Finally, I found the way.
Serving trays are in 3 sizes: 12″x12″, 13-1/2″ x 19″ and 15″ x 24″. Small, medium and large. The 3 trays nest together nicely for easy storage, if you are so inclined. Sides provide 1-1/2″ of wall around the bottom of the tray, helping you corral whatever you might be putting on the trays.
Construction details are robust: all hardwood construction (naturally). The corners are connected with sturdy box joints. The bottoms, 3/8″ thick (and again, all hardwood), are captured in dados on the ends and sides for reliable load carrying. These trays are meant to be heirloom additions to your home.
The sides & ends are made of one of these three woods: Hard Maple (the lightest color), Cherry and Sapele (a very pretty dark brown wood, AKA African Mahogany). The bottoms are matched in some cases, and stripey in others. You can mix and match your set of 3 if you wish.
The initial thought for these trays was for them to be the base of Charcuterie Kits, and indeed, they are. If you want to see some pretty pictures of Charcuterie done at VMICA (the Velda Mowry Institute of Culinary Arts), then you can go here.
If you would like to purchase, that link is here. Please note that orders can be placed today, but I do not expect to ship until the end of April. The good news is you can order exactly what you want. The bad news is … exactly what you want takes time. My job is to make sure there is a smile on your face when you finally get to see your new Serving Tray!
Here are my current signs, in a slide show. And lower on the page … NEW SIGNS coming for this holiday season.
CNC Sign 20 – 141 – In Wine
CNC Sign 19 – 750 Let Food
CNC Sign 19 – 745 Coffee Def
CNC Sign 19 – 742 If More of us Valued
CNC Sign 19 – 739 Why Limit
CNC Sign 19 – 741 Many Have
CNC Sign 19 – 738 Too Much
CNC Sign 19 – 731 You Don’t
CNC Sign 19 – 725 People Who Love
CNC Sign 19 – 724 You Don’t Have To
CNC Sign 19 – 708 – Chicken
CNC Sign 19 – 706 If You Really
CNC Sign 19 – 705 – Only A Fool
CNC Sign 19 – 702 – Too Lazy
CNC Sign 18 – 115 Tell Me What Brand
CNC Sign 18 – 99 Cooking
CNC Sign 18 – 99 The Secret Ingredient is Always
CNC Sign 18 – 55. Hard Maple. 9″ x 14″.
CNC Sign 18 – 57. Hard Maple. 10″ x 16″.
CNC Sign 18 – 48. Cherry. 12″ x 16″.
CNC Sign 18 – 45. Hard Maple. 10″ x 14″.
CNC Sign 18 – 19. Hard Maple. 10″ x 18″.
CNC Sign 18 – 12. Hard Maple. 12″ x 16″.
These are software renderings of the new signs that are currently in production in the shop. The images are not entirely accurate, but they are the best I have at this point.
Not all of these signs are currently shown for sale on my retail site, but if you don’t find a sign that you want, just email me and I can do a special order for you. Here is the retail site for your review: www.MrMsWoodshop.com.
Yes, I used that funny French word that people have trouble pronouncing. The word means smoked meats … and, when in France, you go to a “charcuterie” to buy, uh, smoked meats.
Why did that become the word we use for cheese & cracker platters?
’cause it’s fancy. “Fancy like Applebees,” as Walker Hayes recently sang (link below).
But I digress. Now that we’ve got our groove on, it’s time to talk about these new boards that have a couple of unique stories to go with.
First, I am pleased to present several boards made from Olive wood, which is new to the Woodshop. After years of searching, I just had to go out the front door to get this wood … when we bought the house in 1988, there was an ornamental olive tree in the front yard. The kids climbed in it growing up. Pretty tree, and a great climbing tree, to boot. But, sadly, the tree died several years ago. I had a crew out to remove the tree … and leave me the good logs. I then went to my buddy Charlie to “slab” the logs and branches that were usable. The ends got painted with a latex/wax combination so the wood would dry slowly and not crack. The wood then got stickered (small boards between the Olive pieces to allow good air flow for even drying) and then I left the wood in my storage unit to dry out. I didn’t touch the boards for 18 months.
Eventually, the boards came back to the shop for processing … and, time being what it is, I didn’t touch them for another 2 years.
But then the stars aligned, and I made the boards you see below. These are live edge pieces, meaning the actual edges of the natural tree – maybe even the bark! – is the edge of the board. About half of these pieces are finished with mineral oil and board butter, as I do all of my pieces that are destined to touch food.
Until now, that is. Some of the boards had knots, voids and cracks that needed attention, and needed filling since they were destined to be serving pieces. I reached into the bag o’tricks, and here are my first boards with epoxy filled, mica-colored accents. These boards were then finished with a Urethane top coat.
As is normal for me, all boards got non-skid rubber feet held on with stainless steel screws.
Two of the boards are made from live edge Black Walnut. My niece – the namesake for the “Kaye’s Board” end grain design that is a personal favorite – found a sawyer near Cameron, MO that had processed some lovely Black Walnut lumber and was willing to let me bring 5 boards back to the Woodshop.
So, new lumber. New finishing. New, as it often does, also means Mrs M had to have some.
But, good news, she decided to not be greedy and I do have some left for your consideration. These are, obviously, very unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Please note that all sizes are approximate. Every board was finished to get the most out of the wood that was available, so they are not perfect rectangles. They are natural.
I have already heard from several people that want some, and 3 ladies are first in line (Jeri G, Reva W, Sue E in that order). Boards that I still have will go with me this 4th of July weekend to the Art In The Park event in Morro Bay, CA. Want to buy one? Email me at Henry@MowryWoodshop.com. You’ll need to tell me the number of the board(s) you want, and please give alternate choices if you have some. I will send you an invoice, and then ship the boards to you after the holiday.
Charcuterie 22 – 114. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 21″ x 5″ x 1″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 111. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 17″ x 9″ x 3/4″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 109. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 21″ x 7″ x 3/4″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 107. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 16″ x 6″ x 1″. $90.
Charcuterie 22 – 105. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 20″ x 8″ x 1″. Added to the Mowry collection.
Charcuterie 22 – 103. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 17″ x 7″ x 1″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 115. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 16″ x 5″ x 1″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 117. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 15″ x 12″ x 1″. $125.
Charcuterie 22 – 104. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 20″ x 8″ x 3/4″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 106. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 19″ x 9″ x 1″. $125.
Charcuterie 22 – 102. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 21″ x 7″ x 1″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 113. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 20″ x 7″ x 3/4″. Added to Mrs M’s private collection.
Charcuterie 22 – 101. 19″ x 7″ x 3/4″. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. $90.
Charcuterie 22 – 108. Olive Wood with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 19″ x 9″ x 1″. $125.
Charcuterie 22 – 112. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 16″ x 6″ x 1″. Added to the Mowry collection.
Charcuterie 22 – 116. Olive Wood with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 20″ x 6″ x 1″. $100.
Charcuterie 22 – 118. Black Walnut with Live Edge. Mineral Oil/Beeswax Finish. 12″ x 12″ x 5/8″. $85.
Charcuterie 22 – 110. Black Walnut with Live Edge and Epoxy Accents. Urethane finish. 21″ x 10″ x 5/8″. $100.
I make these Deviled Egg Platters to help make the world a better place. They are difficult to make: each one takes 9 hours to carve on my CNC. It takes about 90 minutes to hog out most of the waste with a 1/4″ end mill, and then a 1/16″ tapered ballnose bit advances 1/100″ with each pass to make the egg cups as smooth as possible.
Labor of Love, they are.
Here are the latest 11 that I have completed. 2 are already gone. The 9 remaining will be going to Bishop Mule Days over Memorial Day weekend … so if you would like one of these for your holiday table, speak now and I will get it shipped to you, no problem.
When I started making these, everyone called them surfboards.
They aren’t really shaped like surfboards, but they have a certain curvy shape that takes people there.
But, then I started making actual surfboard-shaped serving pieces or cutting boards (you choose how to use them!). I needed to rename these pieces, so … well, I am known for my creativity (well, sometimes).
Large Serving Piece was the perfect name. Name the thing what it is, that’s what I think. Creativity can only confuse people at this point.
The LSPs are made with cove cuts on all 4 sides. Cove cuts are made taking the piece across the front edge of the table saw blade, moving sideways – not through the blade with a straight cut. This makes a large sweeping curve which is unique to this piece.
And making those cove cuts spews sawdust everywhere. Saw blades are made to capture sawdust between the saw teeth, and return it to below the table of the table saw for dust collection. The sideways movement of this cut interrupts that flow … and I’m left with a fine sawdust over the entire shop as well as an 1″ of sawdust under foot after making these pieces.
Once the cove cuts are done, then the piece gets the signature oval-ish shape cut on the band saw, and then the LSP is smoothed with 2x different random orbital sanders. 4x non-skid rubber feet held on with stainless steel screws complete the piece, which floats lightly on the table.
I make cutting boards in a mostly traditional way. Some of my choices, though, are often not traditional.
Cutting Boards that come from the Woodshop are generally for one-sided use … they have non-skid rubber feet so the boards do not move while you use them. I am not a fan of moving targets when you have a knife in your hand.
When I do make a 2-sided board – like the Carnivore Boards – then the boards come with a non-skid silicon mat. Both the mat and the aforementioned feet hold the boards in place, and, importantly, provide an air gap so the bottom of the boards never just sit in water on the counter. That would be bad.
All boards are made from quality hardwoods, selected for their beauty and particular characteristics that make them good cutting board woods.
Last week, a pair of large cutting boards I barely remembered making – 6 years ago! – came back to me for refinishing. That is a service I do for free, by the way, but I digress.
The boards were 6 years old but were truly in fabulous condition. They had been well-used (every day, the owners proudly told me), and they had some knife marks as well as a scorch on one of the boards from where some hot pan had been set on the board for too long. I sanded the boards smooth, got the scorch mark as well as about 98% of the knife marks out, and re-oiled the boards. It took about 15 minutes all told, and the owners were thrilled with their like-new boards.
Did I mention they ordered 2 more large boards for gifts? I was pretty thrilled, too.
In preparation for last week’s event, I finished several cutting boards to add to my display. Here is what the really-new boards look like.
Carnivore Board 22 – 101. 14″ x 19″ Bloodwood & Hard Maple. Poultry side.
Carnivore Board 22 – 101. Beef/Pork Side.
Cutting Board 22 – 501. Black Walnut End Grain. Juice Groove. Sold on its first showing.
Carnivore Board 22 – 102. Hard Maple. Poultry side. Note the big juice groove holds 2 cups of juice!
Carnivore Board – 22 – 102. Beef/Pork side, with a more normal juice groove that’s 3/4″ wide x 3/8″ deep … much larger than “typical” juice grooves that are offered.
Cutting Board 22 – 203. Edge grain. Hard Maple, Black Walnut & Purpleheart. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/4″.
Carnivore Board 22 – 105. Spectacular Black Walnut, on the poultry side.
Carnivore Board 22 – 105. On the Beef/Pork side.
Cutting Board 22 – 201. Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Bloodwood and Hard Maple. Edge grain. 12″ x 16″ x 1-1/4″.
Carnivore Board 22 – 103. Hard Maple.
Carnivore Board 22 – 103, the Beef/Pork side.
Carnivore Board 22 – 104. Black Walnut.
Carnivore Board 22 – 104, flip side.
Cutting Board 22 – 202. Purpleheart & Hard Maple. 14″ x 18″ x 1-1/4″.
Back in the day … back when I went a-vendoring at craft fairs … I sold Magic Bottle Openers. In fact, I sold a lot of them. They were quite popular, and my demonstration of them became a point of entertainment in the booth.
Honest.
Me. The Entertainer.
Who knew?
But I digress. I would demo the MBOs, people would laugh … and then a small voice was often heard asking, what do you have for wine drinkers?
Uh…..
Well, at first the answer was nothing. And the customers were not pleased.
Then, the answer was Wine Bottle Holders. They were a bit of fun, but, ultimately, I didn’t like making them, so I stopped. I’m an adult, you see. I get to choose. And the customers were not pleased.
So, then, the answer became Wine Bottle Coasters. I still have those (well, I will have them when I make more!), but they were not as much fun as an MBO. And the customers … well, you know.
Which brings me to my latest offering, Wine Gift Boxes. I got an order to make 200 of these a couple of months ago for a local business that wanted to give them to key customers. And you only have to hit me with one big order like that to make me think that I may have found something.
These Wine Gift Boxes come in 2 sizes, 1 bottle and 2 bottle. They come with a packing material called excelsior, AKA bird’s nest. Excelsior is long aspen wood shavings that is just perfect to nestle a bottle of wine into when you present the bottle(s) and custom box to your friend or client.
I am making the boxes out of Baltic Birch, which is a high quality, 7-layer plywood. The wood is left raw, but sanded smooth. I have made a few versions that are available now for immediate shipment … and I have a few designs that can be personalized and are perfect for weddings, anniversaries, house warmings, or other important celebrations.
All of these can be purchased today on my retail website, MrMsWoodshop.com. Click here to go straight to the page with the WGBs. If you are ordering a customized box, be sure to include all of the details for what you want carved or engraved on the lid in the notes with your order.
And … if you are going to a craft fair in May, I just might see you there! I will be at the Fresno Home & Garden Show as well as Bishop Mule Days. Details are on my events page, here.
