New series on pbs. Theres a link to check for dates and times.
Starts tonight. I believe Sam Maloof is in the firsrt episode.
http://www.pbs.org/craftinamerica/
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Replies
Thanks for the reminder, I completely forgot! I set the DVR to record it. Looks like there are three episodes tonight.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
It's definitely worth checking out. We posted the trailer on GlueTube. There are 10-15 minute segments on Sam Maloof, Garry Knox Bennett, and George and Mira Nakashima. We got a sneak peak here and it’s a beautiful documentary. It focuses more on the craft and inspiration than the how-to.
Gina
Fine Woodworking
Edited 5/30/2007 11:59 am ET by GEide
I hope yall remember to support PBS. They really do a lot for us (the American public).Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I just watched it, all three episodes were on tonight. It was pretty good, Sam is great and Bennett is a howl. The blacksmith made some beautiful stuff. I’m not into jewelry so much, so that was a bit of a yawn to me.
Agreed, it was pretty good. I also liked the blacksmith's work, especially the gates they showed at the end of that segment.
Was it just me, or did it seem during the episode that showed Nakashima they spent a huge amount of time on the woman that made jewelery from crack vials and about 10 minutes on Nakashima?
(Not that there's anything wrong with jewelry from crack vials.)
I was very disappointed with the series, although I thought the segment on Sam Maloof was nice.
It’s PBS, a liberal jewelry maker in a run down drug infested part of a decaying urban center, of course they are going to spend more time there, just like the ”pissed off potter”. It fits the PBS mold better, gotta get a political shot in there.
LOL. I am a PBS fan, but you got me there.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Funny huh? I too really enjoy PBS and even support it. But, I see it for what it is, Bill Moyers, not George Will.
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My other question is, who is providing the patronage for these more off the hook craftsmen? I understand Maloof, if I had the cash, I’d buy all I could get my hands on, the same with Nakashima. The blacksmith seems to have practical commissions, I would love to have that work in my house. And I have bought many sweet grass baskets in <!----><!----><!---->Charleston<!----> <!---->SC<!----><!----> myself, but who buys the “crack necklace” and the “pissed off” pottery?
How does one even buy a Maloof piece?
Call and get your name on the list, be ready to cough up $58,000.00 for a rocker and wait at least five years. I'm not sure if he requires a deposit.
Eric,
If you are a woodworker, why would you want to buy a Maloof piece?
Make a few. You'll gain skill, and save money, and have the pride of having made it yourself.Go to the following website on how to make a rocking chair, and modify the design.
http://www.parkerconverse.com/how.htmIf you really want a Maloof-type rocking chair, which is made by a "master". Go the the website of Hal Taylor, and see what he has. I saw him give a talk last month at the Washington Woodworkers Guild monthly meeting. To say the least, his work is impressive. Quality wise, it may well be better than Maloof's. Hal is an absolute stickler for quality. Also, you can go to Hal's place and take his course in making a rocker, and make it yourself.http://www.haltaylor.com/Every woodworker has it in him/her to build FANTASTIC masterpieces. Many of us compare ourselves to those who others say are "Masters", and we find that we come up short. Well, so didn't the "Masters" when they were getting started. YOU CAN BUILD A MASTERPIECE ROCKING CHAIR!!!!! Believe in yourself. Go do it. Then put it on EBay for $50,000. If you don't get the money, just keep the rocker, and admire it every day. Don't sell yourself short. You can do it.Have fun.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Although my wife and I would both LOVE to have a peice made by Sam, we also know that it'd be more fun to build it ourselves.
If you aren't completely sure on how to make all the jigs that are required to make a Maloof style rocker, there is 1 last option. Marc Adams teaches a class a couple times a year on doing exactly that. From what I've seen, its a hectic 7 day class...not to say that any class there isn't 'hectic' -- but the Maloof chair class tends to really be busier than normal.
Two years ago I was down at MASW and parked down-wind of the door from where his class was doing their thing. I came out one evening, after class, and found my white Taurus to be a nice shade of walnut. I drove it with pride.
Chris
Chris,
thanks for the info. I was responding to another person, Eric T., who was asking about buying a Maloof chair. I would never consider such a thing. I don't buy "collectables", and I have no interest in having a chair because it was made by a well-known guy. That is just my way of thinking, and I wouldn't try to talk anyone else into my way of thinking.I do try to talk woodworkers into increasing their skills and their confidence in themselves. To me, you become a "real" woodworker, when you feel that you can solve problems yourself. That is not to say that you don't go to books and people for info, ____ but, YOU are the one who makes up your own mind. To be philosophical for a second -- anyone could figure out the jigs for making a chair or anything else. Obviously it is much faster to go to someone else who has already figured it out and is now teaching it. BUT I find that to be a very bad thing. It causes you to believe that the only way you can solve problems is to go to someone else. It saps your self confidence. It is efficient for solving a problem, but is is counterproductive for leaning to "think for yourself". I have heard many good things about Marc Adams school. I know a few people who have gone to a large number of his classes and plan to go back for more. That really bothers me. These folks seem to have become hooked on this school. I much prefer a different philosophy. There is a man named Ivan Illich, who wrote a book called "De-schooling Society". He says that Schools and Teachers teach you that you can't learn by yourself, indeed that you can't learn without going to a school and to a teacher. Ivan says that the purpose of a school and a teacher should be to free you from the need for a school and a teacher. They should teach you that you can learn yourself.I want every woodworker to feel that they can turn out masterpieces, and to do so, and that they can use books and the internet to find out how to do this if they cant figure it out for themselves. Hope you enjoyed the interlude on "philosophy of woodworking".
Have fun. Build a masterpiece or two.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
You're really starting to pi$$ me off. First you won't buy Sam's chair, because you aren't a collector. Now you won't take Marc's class, because you want to learn for yourself. The he11 kinda consumer do you think you are, huh?? Maybe Frenchy can sell you some lumber; nah, you'll just mill some yerself, from that old tree in the back yard.
Just think what'd happen if everyone in this country started thinking your way: no more Walmart, no more Lowes, no Home Depot. Just a bunch of independent so and so's, marching each to his own drummer, living at Walden Pond. Dang-nab do-it-yourselfer.
Grumble,
Ray
Ray,I thought that you had to work long hard hours to make a living in fine woodwork. But I see that you are spending many hours on Knots. From this, I take it that I can quit my day job and make a lot of money by making Chippendale chairs for an hour a day. Unfortunately I missed your lecture in carving shells, so I'll have to wait to quit my day job until I figure out how to carve those damn things. I suppose I could learn quicker if I take a course, but I read my last post, and it seems that would be against my principles. So now the question becomes: How strongly do I believe in those principles? What the heck. Do you know the directions to the Marc Adams school?Enjoy.
Mel
PS How about giving another talk to the WWG. Your next topic should be: "The soul of the tool collector: why use tools, when you can actually just admire them, and allow them to increase in value while they sit on the shelf." Why sweat when time alone will make you rich? Buy Ray's new book "Fortify your retirement with collectible woodworking tools".Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
Ray sure would be the right one to lecture about tool collections sitting on the shelf. I have seen his vast array of (zero) metal planes for myself. Cal
If one wanted a Maloof chair, and because he has the skills, he makes a copy of a Maloof chair, he would still not have a Maloof chair.
No, he would have a Maloof STYLE chair. If you build a Goddard Knee Hole Desk it is only in the style of the Goddards, it is not a Goddard.
Cal,
I am well aware that Ray doesn't collect tools. He only gets the tools that he needs. I admire that. He actually did give a talk a few years ago to the Washington Woodworkers Guild on how to carve a shell. I hope he'll come back and give another talk in the future, but the last thing he would want to talk about is collecting tools.Good to hear from you.
Have fun.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Hi Cal,
You are mistaken. I have two metal planes; a Stanley #5 jack plane, that I use to knock the glue off of glue lines, and a low angle block plane, for end grain. No three, I have a record compass plane-- shoot I forgot about the English Stanley rabbet plane, stanley bull nose rabbet plane , and veritas shoulder plane. Dang, Mel's right--I am a collector...
Ray
Ray,
You need to repent of your materialism ways right now, with all those planes collecting dust.
Next thing you know, you'll have to admit to having a bunch of old patterns hanging up on the wall, just so they look pretty. CH
Well,Cal,
Those patterns aren't a collection for me, you know. Just never gotten around to throwing them away...
Take care,
Ray
Ray,
I meant it in fun. One of the coolest things about my Dad's shop is all the old patterns and parts laying around from the years of furnituremaking, so I seriously admired all the patterns you have in that back room. Dad could stay busy for 2 years just finishing his parts and repairs stacked up in the back part of his shop.
In fact, I am working on two Charleston Easy chairs that I asked my Dad about, he had patterns that made it easy. So I apologize if it was misunderstood, hard to joke on the internet, you seem to do it a lot better than I do.
Cal
Aw Cal, I was just joshin' too. No offense taken, none meant.
That wall in the back room has gotten so full tho, that it's sometimes easier to make a new template, than to find the one that I know is there,..somewhere...gotta reorganise it one day...
Ray
Hi Mel,
First, who said I was making a living at this?
Don't go all the way to M Adams school. Come down for a visit, and I'll take an hour off (from knots, my day job), and show you all you need to know about carving a shell. (Or stop by and see me at Waterford this fall) You are on your own, if you want to carve one with that great, big, 3 foot long chip-carving knife of yours, though.
There are many members of the tool collector's group who could give a more convincing lecture than I, on your topic for the woodworkers guild.
Cheers,
Ray
Ray,
I'm making a replacement Outhouse next to the horsebarn. Would it be OK if I come down to your place for a lesson on how to carve a moon for the door?
I'll bring the cherry wood but don't yet have a 3' long Schultmeiser like Mel, but am working on it. Have the blade made and the handle is nearly done.
I'll also bring along some vintage mouton Rothschild just in case.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 6/3/2007 7:48 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Hi Bob,
Here in VA we don't carve a moon, but cut out a crescent. I like the idea of basswood for an outhouse, but you have to make a mirror image of what you want, it will come out bass ackwards, or correct, in other words.
Forget the schultmeiser, unless you want to have a swordfight with Mel. Just bring a kerbschnitte, and you can use my schnitzelbank. We'll make do.
The mouton Rothschilde will be wasted on me. Bourbon is good esp in a case....
Ray
I have finally had the chance to watch the shows. Wow, they showed some amazing artists. I am very impressed. I enjoyed Gary Bennets interview a lot.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Mel,
Reading your posts is like watching Rocky 1 all over again...
I checked out Hal Taylor's website, and classes. Sounded like something I might be interested in someday - then I saw the price tag for a hands-on, make your own chair, class. $5G's???
Oh well. guess I'll order the templates and put my boxing gloves on...
Cheers,
Lee
Lee,
I felt the same way. Hal will make you a chair for $7k or give you a class for $5k and you'll probably not finish it during the class. If someone wants a Hal Taylor chair, the thing to do is to buy it.Hal gave a really fun talk to our woodworking guild. He didn't say anything about how to build chairs. He talked about his life and what has motivated him to try some things. It was an intriguing talk for anyone who likes to hear a really talented and creative person talk about the creative process. Listening to such a talk won't make me any more creative, but it is fun to see the world through the eyes of such a person.Hal's chairs are even more beautiful in real life than they are in the photos on his website.There is a guy on Knots called Jimma who did an "internship" with Hal for a month. Jim and his wife lived in a room over Hal's workshop and Jim did menial work in the shop for that month. There was no charge for this. In return, Jim got to watch the master at work and learn by osmosis. Jim came for a visit during this internship. I believe my description is an accurate understanding of what he told me. Jim is a very good woodworker, and he and his wife came all the way from Florida to Virginia to do this. I believe Jim is happy with the outcome.I learned a lot from Jim about this experience. He told me about Hal's book on chair making. Since Hal keeps changing his designs, it is impossible to keep the book up to date. Also the book can be difficult to follow. I got the feeling that Jim was not enamored with taking the $5K class (which he didn't do). So if you have nothing to do for a month and want to be an intern to Hal, just write to him, and you can work with the master for free. I live only an hour and a half from Hal, so when I retire, if things get really dull, that might be an interesting way to spend a month. There is no doubt in my mind that Hal is a genius. Just hanging around with such a person can be eye opening. Let me know if you become one of Hal's apprentices.
Have fun.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Those of you enamored with Hal Taylors chairs really should look at Scott Morrison's chairs. Parker Converse is another. EarlFurniture...the Art of a FurnitureMaker
I thought the angry guy had some good stuff.
The crack lady actually had some interesting techniques, like using the plastic item in a lost wax style molding technique. But they focused more on the "issues" than the craft.
Although they did the same for most of the artists. The Japanese American guy piece was about his legacy and daughter than his craft.
All in all though a good piece. I gotta get back to my podcast of "This American Life" . LOL.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Not to really change the subject but there is a show on in the mornings on weekdays Modern Masters and I think it is on Fine Living channel 113 on Dish and I have really enjoyed watching the show on my hooky days from work and vacation. Most shows feature 3 artisans and they describe the design, construction and sometimes marketing process without all of the political BS that I saw last night on thew PBS show. If you get a chance give it a look.
Yes, if it were up to me, most of "pissed off potter" would have ended up on cutting room floor. It seemed to have little to do with craft and everything with politics."A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -- Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
All,
Just had a chance to watch " Craft In America " . Interesting, sort of. Really should have been titled " People who do Craft In America ". Not really that much history. More how to and technical info would have been nice, not so much of.... oh look, a rabbit got into my garden and ate my carrots .... I think I'd better stop here. :)
Paul
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