New and Improved, but Vintage

I am not sure whether nostalgia takes over, but I have really begun to enjoy making useful kitchen items that are vintage styling.  Pepper Grinders, Ice Cream Scoops for example are fun to look at and are a reminder of my Grandma's kitchen.  I used to cook with her with I was young and I learned a lot from her about making treats, especially for the holidays.  Something that I enjoy still today.  The style of these old fashioned tools take us back to those bygone days but help remind us of the very important people that we had in our lives.  Some really good projects for the woodshop.  Here are a couple of pictures:

Also, check out the Women Love Tools Too Blog

Happy Thursday!

Vacation Bible School is almost here

ASH isn't spending much time in the Woodshops these days.  I am volunteering at our local "Shoreline Community Church" in preparation of the Sets for Vacation Bible School.  Lots of things to be done here, so not much happening in the world of woodworking from the artistic point of view.  That is, not creating much "useful art" over the last couple of weeks.

I did however, begin to experiment early this month making some bangle bracelets from wood.  This is a great use for some of the cut off scraps and you can once again, continue to make useful art out of them.  Bangle Bracelets first.  We will try something else soon. Here is an example of one of the bracelets.  Another original from ASH Woodshops.  You can purchase this at http://www.ashwoodshops.etsy.com/:

More next time on this really special tropical hardwood called Cocobolo!

That's all for now!

Blessings....

Some Really Crafty People!

Recently ASH Woodshops became involved in some craft shows on a blog called, "Tools Are For Women Too".  Some pretty amazing things can be found on the posts by these really talented people.  It is amazing to see some of the ideas that come up.  If you want to check it out, follow this link:  http://toolsareforwomentoo.blogspot.com/


Blessings,
ASH

Time Flies When

It is amazing to me that it has already been two weeks since my last post.  Yes, been pretty busy, but just not enough time in the shop.  I have been busy trying to get the Father's Day items posted and listed in my shop at http://www.ashwoodshops.etsy.com/.  It has been a challenge to get it done.  I have recently been making some new cutting boards.  One is on a commission but the others will be posted on Etsy and put up for sale.  They will be done shortly and you will be able to see them in my shop.  In the meantime..

I wanted to tell you about some new kaleidioscopes that I have been making.  These are beautiful, mini kaleidoscopes.  The "jewels" are beach glass from Monterey Bay beaches.  Norma and I pick up the glass when we are beachcombing.  It really makes a unique view.  I have recently shipped one to Denmark!  The customer base is spreading.  Thank you loyal customers!

I have been trying to figure out how to get the message out about the items that I sell that are for men.  Masculine Pens, etc.  I have come to realize that I need to figure out how to make these attractive for women, since women are the people who are buying for their men.  So, a new challenge to contemplate while I turn a few more of these beauties!

Blessings to you from ASH Woodshops.

A Spectacular Day - In OH SO MANY WAYS

The shop tools in ASH Woodshops are feeling a bit neglected today.  I live near the ocean at Monterey Bay and the water was shining like an emerald this morning.  It made it very hard to get into the shop.  So I decided to run some errands today.  That allowed me to be out an about almost all day.  I had several orders for wood products that had sold and needed to be shipped today, and that got me started.  I was able to talk with a great friend today also.  He is a mentor to me and I always am blessed by our weekly conversation.  Unfortunately he lives all the way across the country near Atlanta, but we manage to have a weekly call.  I visited several stores today and was in such a great mood, that I had to share that with everyone that I came in contact with.  It was great.  It is amazing how easy it is to make people light up with a smile, just by smiling yourself.  It is Wednesday, so my wife and I attended our Night of Worship service.  We both were blown away by the music and the sermon.  All in all, a very rewarding day.  I got some great feedback from a customer that received a music box that I had been commissioned by her to make for her mother.  We are always very proud of good feedback, especially when we exceed the expectations of our customers. 

A picture is worth a thousand words, but it is really nice to hear that the piece looked more beautiful in person than the photographs.  This piece was made from cherry and walnut.  Beautiful if I do say so myself!

Truly a great day.
Blessings,
Alan

Magnificent Day

My wife Norma and I are training for the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon that happens on June 6th.  We are training through Team-In-Training as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  We raise funds for blood cancer research in exchange for 1st class training for the endurance event.  We have met some of the most fantastic people that are part of our team!  I may never give this up.  I really like it.  But what is also really special is the place we live and where we get to train.  We live and train along the fabulous Monterey Bay in California.  Today we had an 11 mile training walk along the shoreline.  What a magnificent day.  There are almost no waves and the ocean is the color of the deepest blue jewel that you can imagine.  I didn't even get into the shop today.  It was so gorgeous that after our training, we went to the beach to relax.  Unbelievably beautiful.  I am so lucky that I get to live in a place like this.  I am certain that I will need to spend at least a little time in ASH Woodshops tomorrow.
Blessings,

Rainy Day - SHOP day

So with it pouring down rain today, it is unlikely that I will be able to get outside to do much.  It is not a bad thing, it makes it possible for me to spend more time in the woodshop.  At ASH Woodshops, I have to balance my time to be able to spend time there anyway.  How else can I make the beautiful things of wood that I sell through http://www.ashwoodshops.com/, or also http://www.ashwoodshops.etsy.com/?  I need to get out there today to complete some very nice pens that will be displayed soon.  I have some great wood to share in these items.  The wood is called Cocobolo.  Tomorrows post will tell you all about it.  Cocobolo is a beautiful dark tropical hardwood.  More tomorrow....

Blessings,
ASH Woodshops