Archive for the ‘serving piece’ Tag
I need better signage.
I started making trivets to protect tables & counters – and food! – soon after I got my CNC. They continue to be a top seller … even though they confuse many people who don’t understand what this odd looking thing is when they pick it up in my booth.
Maybe I’ll have more time for that soon!
Trivets are 8-1/2″ square, with heat vents in a diagonal pattern across the top and bottom of the trivet. Each trivet is 3/4″ thick, and they nearly always feature a fun color pattern of hardwoods. I do occasionally make trivets with just one species of wood, though I’ve found most people prefer the colorful versions.
Meanwhile, I am now making coasters with cork inserts to protect tables & desks from hot & cold drinks – and condensation.
Everyone knows what a coaster is, thank goodness!
These have always been colorful. I’m yet to try a single species of wood for a coaster. Hmmmm. Maybe next time.
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I do a lot of wedding & anniversary gifts. Here you see several different styles … as well as a couple of other special orders thrown in.
I have a love/hate relationship with special orders, honestly. Keeping track of them, their individual deadlines & extra steps required for the personalization is another record keeping system that I have to maintain to stay on top of these orders. It’s a wonderful thing, truly – who wouldn’t want to be a part of a wedding as a gift supplier? Lots of love there, and that’s a good thing.
A very good thing.
Also shown are a sign for a restored car’s dash (the Beach Bug sign). It’s a carved sign with painted letters. Similar techniques were used with the making of the final piece, that shows the longitude & latitude for the happy couple’s meeting, engagement & wedding.
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OK, I’m behind.
Way behind.
I’ve been making stuff, and even taking pictures … and then hurriedly going to events so I have to make more stuff. This cycle has been repeating for 3 months now.
3 months.
So, yes, I’m behind. Many of these items were made months ago, and have already sold! … but I’m just now showing them to you here. Sorry about that.
This includes the very latest stuff for the holiday boutiques, as well, so please enjoy the pretties … because they will be gone soon, I trust!
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There’s hot stuff out there, and I intend to protect it.
It’s an important task.
We remodeled our kitchen several years ago, and were hosting a dinner party soon after. Mrs M had cooked a vegetable lasagna, as I recall, in a glass 9×13. She took the dish out of the oven and sat it directly on the counter. The hot dish touched the cool stone counter, and the glass dish cracked immediately.
The dinner party was fine, but this dish … not so much. It broke, for wont of protection.
These trivets were on display at our last event, and the last pair on this page are made from Hard Maple. Only. They are noticeably plainer than most of my trivets … but I do like to shake it up for those that want a simpler design. In any event, one customer picked them up and said, “These just look like a mistake.”
To each their own. If you like them plain, or if you like them “stripey,” I am here to help protect your hot stuff.
These trivets are 8-1/2″ square, 3/4″ thick, and made from a wide variety of hardwoods. Finish is mineral oil.
Trivet 18 – 740. Black Walnut & White Oak.
Trivet 18 – 739. Black Walnut, White Oak, Padauk & Hard Maple.
Trivet 18 – 738. Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Goncalo Alves & Purpleheart.
Trivet 18 – 737.Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Hard Maple & Jatoba.
Trivet 18 – 736. Sapele, Goncalo Alves & Hard Maple.
Trivet 18 – 735. Purpleheart, Jatoba, Hard Maple & Bloodwood.
Trivet 18 – 734. Black Walnut, White Oak, Padauk & Hard Maple.
Trivet 18 – 733. Black Walnut, White Oak & Goncalo Alves.
Trivet 18 – 732. Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Jatoba, Bloodwood, Goncalo Alves, Mesquite, White Oak & Hard Maple.
Trivet 18 – 731. Black Walnut, Padauk & White Oak.
Trivet 18 – 729. Cherry, Hard Maple, Jatoba & Black Walnut.
Trivet 18 – 730. Hard Maple.
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I see it all of the time.
People see my hearts on the table. They smile. They hold one over their own heart, look to their significant other, and smile some more.
Nothing wrong with a big heart. Nothing wrong with showing your heart.
Such is the human drama I inspire when I go a-vendoring. Who wouldn’t love that?
I’m sometimes asked if these are cutting boards. Well, yes, they could be. However, I believe cutting on hearts is not something we should want to do. Surgeons, perhaps. Cooks? Not so much. I think these are serving pieces, not cutting boards. Buy one, and then you’ll get to choose who gets to cut on your heart.
This weekend, I’m going a bit far afield as I go a-vendoring. It will be my first out-of-state solo event for Mr M’s Woodshop! I’ll be at Faire on the Square in Prescott, AZ. I’m leaving Mrs M at home so she can work at her “job,” and I’m doing a holiday weekend road trip.
Pulling the trailer. Putting up the big canopy, solo. Running the booth, solo. Staying at an AirBnB, bachelor style.
Who wouldn’t love that?
Heart 18 – 928. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
Heart 18 – 927. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
Heart 18 – 933. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart, Cherry & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
Heart 18 – 931. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart, Cherry & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
Heart 18 – 930. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
Heart 18 – 932. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart, Cherry & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
Heart 18 – 929. Jatoba, Hard Maple, Purpleheart & Bloodwood. 11″ x 11″ x 3/4″.
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Yes, I do custom orders!
Special engraving. Unique wood combinations. Oddball requests. You name it.
To be fair, I often turn down oddball requests for special one-time constructions. I have trouble making enough pieces just to keep up with my totally out-of-control hobby, after all. Adding ideas that take extra TLC to make it to the finish line usually doesn’t make sense.
But who said I have to make sense? Adding the occasional odd request does help me use my creativity & expand my skill set. At the right time, doing a unique project can be fun. Since that’s why I’m doing this, I try and help people with fun projects as much as I can.
And, no, I still don’t make backgammon boards. Or rolling pins. Or toaster tongs.
But, apparently, if you want a Fire Pokin’ Stick, then I’m your guy.
CNC Sign 18 – 68 Bloom. Hard Maple. Carved lettering with 3D sunflower. 12″ x 16″. Commissioned piece.
Carnivore Board 18 – 901. Purpleheart, Jatoba & Hard Maple. 14″ x 19″ x 1-1/8″. Custom Order.
The B side of Carnivore Board 18 – 901.
Engraved 18 – 0042. Hard Maple, Black Walnut & Cherry. 9″ x 11″ x 1-1/8″. Custom Order.
Special Order 18 – 950. Hard Maple & Black Walnut. The engraving says it all!
Special Order 18 – 950a. Reverse detail.
Special Order 18 – 950b. Handle joinery detail.
Small Board 18 – 210. Purpleheart, Canarywood & Hard Maple. 8″ x 12″ x 1-1/8″.
Small Board 18 – 210a. Flip side.
Engraved 18 – 005. Business Card Holder with V-carved personalization.
Engraved 18 – 003. Maple, Walnut & Cherry. 9″ x 11″ x 3/4″. Custom order.
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It’s a good thing I like making these … Large Serving Pieces.
The name is a problem for me. When I started making these, uh, LSPs, people started calling them Surfboards because they have a curvy shape … and we’re in SoCal.
We have surfers here, you see. Deal with it.
So, these were called Surfboards for a couple of years. Then I thought that they weren’t really shaped like surfboards – especially when I started making true surfboard-shaped cutting boards, so I started calling these Cheese & Cracker Servers.
Which is true … but limiting. Some people use these to serve the entree. Or the dessert. Whatever. They work great as Cheese & Cracker Servers, of course … but that’s not all that they are. So, for now, I call them Large Serving Pieces. You can call yours whatever you want!
Making this batch of 19 LSPs put a lot of sawdust into the shop, because each edge of each piece has to go across the table saw blade at an oblique angle multiple times. There’s no saw guard to help with dust collection when I make these “open faced” cuts. Plus, the work pieces go across the saw blade, not through the blade, which means that a whole lot of sawdust gets made to shape those elegant curves under each edge. Those curves are actually made in the shape of the saw blade as the work pieces go across the blade. These cuts are called cove cuts, and you rarely see them used these days.
Which only means I’m old school. Or something. In any event, these LSPs are individually designed, hand shaped, hand rubbed, and they are now ready for your inspection!
I must note that they are one of the rewards in my current Kickstarter campaign which is almost over. The campaign ends July 31, so you have until then to become a Backer and select the reward that you would like to receive. Yes, you can receive one of these LSPs if that’s your choice. It’s one of the most popular rewards, though, so you may have to get in line if you like one of these Large Serving Pieces!
Each piece (except for the one that’s a bit wider) is about 12″ wide x 19″ long x 1-1/4″ thick. All are finished with my standard food-ready finish: mineral oil, with a top coat or my “Board Butter,” which is locally-harvested beeswax mixed with mineral oil. All pieces have non-skid feet held on with stainless steel screws for long life.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 01. Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Cherry & White Oak.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 05. Cherry.
Detail of Large Serving Piece 18 – 05.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 02. Hard Maple, Cherry & Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 10. Black Walnut, Padauk & Cherry.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 03. Cherry, Hard Maple & Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 04. Black Walnut, Canarywood, Hard Maple, Padauk & Bloodwood.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 07. Cherry & Goncalo Alves. 13″ x 19″ x 1-1/4″.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 08. Purpleheart, Cherry & Hard Maple.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 06. White Oak, Cherry & Merbau.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 09. Purpleheart, Goncalo Alves, Hard Maple, Canarywood, Cherry, Bloodwood & Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 12. Black Walnut, Cherry & Hard Maple.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 13. Hard Maple, Cherry & Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 11. Hard Maple, Purpleheart, & Cherry.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 19. There’s nothing like … Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 19. Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Cherry & White Oak.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 15. Cherry, Purpleheart, Bloodwood & Hard Maple.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 16. Cherry & Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 19. Red Oak & Black Walnut.
Large Serving Piece 18 – 18. Cherry, Black Walnut & Hard Maple.
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My Kickstarter Campaign
The Woods In The Woodshop
Kickstarter: Coasters
Kickstarter: Trivets
Kickstarter: Cheese Boards
Kickstarter: Handled Cutting Boards
Kickstarter: Large Serving Pieces
Kickstarter: Carnivore Boards
Kickstarter: Best Cutting Boards
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I have a lot of fun making Lazy Susans. And it’s a good thing: they are a consistent seller.
They are never a huge seller, mind you, but I sell one or two at almost every show. The Lazy Susans I make are unique, colorful, robust … and most of my customers have never seen anything like them.
Families love Lazy Susans. When they can keep the little boys and girls from spinning them so fast that things fly off, that is. But that’s the joy of raising little ones, I believe. I was one once, after all.
Building a memory about a spilled bottle of ketchup: priceless.
I work to keep my Susans unique and fun. I do make simple ones now and again, and they do find happy homes. The Susans that sell quickly, though, are the ones with colors and a bit of flash. This batch belongs to that category; my next batch will have more simpler designs.
If you’re out and about this weekend, come see the Susans, Mrs M and myself at Ventura’s 43rd Annual 4th of July Street Fair. Come on out, and if you’re star spangled, you’ll fit right in.
Oh … and if you haven’t heard, I am running a Kickstarter campaign RIGHT NOW to help me expand the workshop’s capabilities. The campaign runs through July, and is currently 69% funded. If I reach or surpass my goal, then all is well. If I don’t reach the goal, though, then it’s as if nothing happened. No boards get made, no expansion happens. If you are interested in backing my campaign – and getting some cool stuff as a reward – then, please, click here: Handmade Cutting Boards & Wooden Serving Pieces.
Lazy Susan 18 – 14. Woods include Black Walnut, Goncalo Alves and Jarrah 18″ diameter.
Lazy Susan 18 – 19. Purpleheart, Hard Maple & Bloodwood. 18″ diameter.
Lazy Susan 18 – 15. Woods include Oak, Black Walnut, Hard Maple, Yellowheart, Purpleheart and Padauk. 18″ diameter.
Lazy Susan 18 – 18. Woods include Sapele, Purpleheart, Canarywood, Yellowheart & Black Walnut. 18″ diameter.
Lazy Susan 18 – 16. Woods include Padauk, Cherry & Black Walnut. 18″ diameter.
Lazy Susan 18 – 17. Woods include Cherry, Padauk & Black Walnut. 18″ diameter.
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With All Due Apologies, Susan
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Have you become a backer of my Kickstarter campaign yet? Need more details?
All of the information is on my Kickstarter page, here.
Backers that pledge $35 or more can receive a pair of Trivets to protect their table or counters.
If you know people with hot stuff, then they need Trivets.
The Kickstarter campaign is running through the end of July … and my goal of $5,000 must be reached or exceeded by that date. If I don’t make the goal, then nothing happens. If the goal is met however, then all of the backers that have selected Trivets to be their reward will get to choose from these color & wood combinations:
1. Light Colors
Trivet 17 – 09. Hard Maple, Jatoba & Yellowheart.
Trivet 18 – 705. Hard Maple & Purpleheart.
2. Dark Colors
Trivet 18 – 728. Jarrah, Purpleheart, Black Walnut & Honey Locust.
Trivet 18 – 721. Jarrah, Bubinga, Purpleheart, Yellowheart, Padauk & Hard Maple.
Trivet 17 – 12. Black Walnut, Oak & Padauk.
3. Red Tones
Trivet 17 – 05. Black Walnut, Padauk and Hard Maple. 8.5″ x 8.5″ x .75″.
Trivet 18 – 710. 8.5″ square.
Trivet 18 – 722. Jarrah, Jatoba, Hard Maple & Black Walnut.
4. Brown Tones
Trivet 18 – 727. Purpleheart, Mesquite & Black Walnut.
Trivet 17 – 13. Black Walnut.
Trivet 17 – 12. Black Walnut, Oak & Padauk.
5. Colorful, Stripey
Trivet 18 – 714. 8.5″ square.
Trivet 18 – 713. 8.5″ square.
Trivet 17 – 10. Hard Maple, Padauk & Jatoba.
All boards have unique coloring and grain patterns. Therefore, every piece I create is unique. I will do my best to match your requests for wood and color to the pieces that I create.
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My Kickstarter Campaign
The Woods In The Woodshop
Kickstarter: Coasters
Kickstarter: Trivets
Kickstarter: Cheese Boards
Kickstarter: Handled Cutting Boards
Kickstarter: Large Serving Pieces
Kickstarter: Carnivore Boards
Kickstarter: Best Cutting Boards
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These Handled Cutting Boards are available to backers of my Kickstarter campaign that pledge $75 or more.
All of the details are on my Kickstarter page, here.
These boards are made to be mobile in your kitchen. They can hang from the hole in their handle, so they’re easy to grab when you need to chop an onion or prep some vegetables. Do your knife work, and then carry the board directly to the stove to deliver your work for cooking.
Backers that select these Handled Cutting Boards – AKA Sous Chef Boards – as their reward will get to choose the colors/woods that I use to create the boards. Here are the options:
1. Light Colors
Sous Chef 18 – 707. Bloodwood, Jarrah, Hard Maple & Black Walnut. Chaos board. 11″ x 20″ x 3/4″.
Sous Chef 18 – 705. Jatoba, Bloodwood, Jarrah & Hard Maple. 11″ x 20″ x 3/4″. Commissioned Piece.
Sous Chef 17 – 910. Padauk, Yellowheart & Birdseye Maple. Large size, with the work space approximately 9″ x 15″, with the handle extending for an additional 6″.
2. Dark Colors
Sous Chef 17 – 912. Black Walnut, Purpleheart, Yellowheart, Bubinga, Hard Maple & Sapele. Chaos Board. Large size, with the work space approximately 11″ x 15″, with the handle extending for an additional 6″.
Sous Chef 17 – 909. Jatoba & Birdseye Maple. Large size, with the work space approximately 11″ x 15″, with the handle extending for an additional 6″.
3. Red Tones
Sous Chef 17 – 915. Purpleheart, Cherry, Bubinga, Black Walnut & Bloodwood. Large size, with the work space approximately 11″ x 15″, with the handle extending for an additional 6″.
Sous Chef 18 – 703. Purpleheart, Jatoba & Hard Maple. 11″ x 20″ x 3/4″.
Sous Chef 17 – 917. Purpleheart & Birdseye Maple. Large size, with the work space approximately 11″ x 15″, with the handle extending for an additional 6″.
4. Brown Tones
Sous Chef # 15 – 04. Black Walnut and Birdseye Maple. 9″ x 22″ x 1″.
Sous Chef # 15 – 37. Black Walnut, African Teak and Birdseye Maple. This board has a wider work surface … I got carried away and couldn’t bear to cut anything off.
Sous Chef 18 – 704. Caribbean Rosewood, Jatoba, Black Walnut & Birds Eye Maple. 11″ x 20″ x 3/4″.
5. Colorful, Stripey
Sous Chef 16 – 005. Teak, Quilted Hard Maple, Purpleheart, Canarywood & Birds Eye Maple. 11″ x 14″ work area w/6″ handle.
Sous Chef 18 – 702. Canarywood, Black Walnut & Purpleheart. 11″ x 20″ x 3/4″.
Sous Chef 17 – 913. Yellowheart & Purpleheart. Large size, with the work space approximately 11″ x 15″, with the handle extending for an additional 6″.
Please note that the color and grain patterns in wood vary with every board. I’ll do my best to match your requests for color and wood with the piece that I make for you.
More
My Kickstarter Campaign
The Woods In The Woodshop
Kickstarter: Coasters
Kickstarter: Trivets
Kickstarter: Cheese Boards
Kickstarter: Handled Cutting Boards
Kickstarter: Large Serving Pieces
Kickstarter: Carnivore Boards
Kickstarter: Best Cutting Boards
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