Replies

1. 
   jonnieboy | Mar 26, 2010 12:07pm | #1

   Thanks, Mel

   Mel,

   Thanks for passing this along. I'll use it.

   --jonnieboy

1. 
   GRW | Mar 26, 2010 12:54pm | #2

   Thanks for sharing

   I'll check it out. Thanks Mel.

1. 
   9619 | Mar 26, 2010 02:08pm | #4

   GRW,

   I suggest the same thing to you as I did to johnnieboy.   Take a peek at David Savage's Tool Review page.  It is fascinating!     Let me know what you think.

   Mel

2. 
   9619 | Mar 26, 2010 02:06pm | #3

   Johnnie,

   Thanks for responding.  I feel certain you will get a lot out of David Savage's Design newsletter.   Let me suggest that you read his page on "tool reviews".    It is fascinating.   He stays distant from all toolmakers.  He doesn't want anyone to even get the feeling that he is allied or tied to any tool maker in any way.   WHen he does a tool review, he holds nothing back.   He has nothing to gain or lose, as do people who work for toolmakers or get free tools for reviews, etc.    

   Have fun.

   Mel

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 26, 2010 05:16pm | #5

   Savage is a good writer

   Mel,

   Upon your recommendation months (years maybe?) ago, I signed up for Savage's newsletters.  The topics are always interesting and based on his actual experience, not what he's heard.  I have not yet received my first Design newsletter but am looking forward to it.  His furniture is too wacky for my tastes, but I am a fan of his.

   Interestingly enough, your second link for subscriptions took me to a page with somebody's information already on it...

   
1. 
   9619 | Mar 26, 2010 07:47pm | #6

   Chris,

   glad you are enjoying Savage's Woody newsletters.   While his style is extremely different from the things I want to make, I really admire his ability as a designer, a furniture maker, and a teacher.      If you look at the furniture his students' make, it is almost always more conventional than his.   

   I found another page that you can use to sign up for the free On Line Design course.      Try:

   http://www.finefurnituremaker.com/news/?p=248

   THis will be fun.

   Mel

3. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 27, 2010 08:46pm | #7

   Mel.. I do most of my work for neighbors and friends for free.. The past few years have only only making things for my China babies.. WHY do I have to always make two of everything? Cus I think they are very special?

   Two dressing benches to make for them and my oldest daughter asked for a Treasue chest! With a curved top.. Now I have to remember my Trig... And Geometry?

   AND DID you look out at MARS these days? Long time untill another view like that...

4. 
   bduffin104 | Mar 28, 2010 12:06am | #8

   Thanks for making me aware of this artist

   Bret

1. 
   9619 | Mar 28, 2010 08:40am | #9

   Bret,

   Glad you liked Savage's website.  I learned about him here on Knots, during a discussion of "tool reviews".   Someone said that this guy is absolutely trustworthy in his comments on tools.  I was blown over by his pages of tool reviews.   Almost all the tool reviews I have read were "sponsored" in some way, even though it wasn't obvious.   Then I started reading the rest of his website and I subscribed to his newsletter.  Like you, I was very impressed.   Last year, he said he was coming to the US to meet with some leading furniture designers and give some lectures.  So I wrote him an email and asked if he was coming near Northern Virginia.  He said that he didn't plan to.  I offered to get four woodworking guilds together to hear his talk.  He said he'd do it but needed a place to stay for three days while he did some writing.  I offered my home.  Unbelievably, he accepted.  

   He gave his talk to a full house of about 100 woodworkers.  We scheduled it for an hour and a half.   People kept asking questions, and he talked for three hours.  Nobody left the room.  He was absolutely the most fascinating woodworker I have ever come across.   He showed photos and described the modern work of about a dozen designers from England and Ireland.   This wasn't a talk about himself, but about what he considered great work.    The stuff he showed was phenomenal. While it isn't "my style",  it was beautiful and few of us could figure out how it was constructed.   As you already know, his furniture doesn't have any straight lines.    He answered all questions.

   Interestingly enough, many of the questions were about the business of making furniture.  He seemed to be completely forthcoming.        Many of the questions were about design -- the thing that he is a master of.   He encouraged the audience to sketch and draw a lot.  Keep a notebook.   Try new designs.  Evolve them.   

   It was a great experience.   Somehow, when most woodworkers come to give talks at my woodworking guild, they talk about tools, and processes for making joints, etc.      Savage just assumed all of that, and was on another plane.  He doesn't worship tools, he uses them.      

   I can't wait for his free on line seminar in design to begin.    Have fun.    Let me know in a few months, how you think it went.

   Mel

5. 
   JohnWW | Mar 29, 2010 12:50pm | #10

   Correction

   The link in the first post will get you to the poster's filled in registration, the page you need to go to get your name on the subscription list is:

   http://www.finefurnituremaker.com/design_subscribe.htm

6. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 29, 2010 01:17pm | #11

   Mel.. OK I went for it! Now I will wait for Rowden Workshop info...

   Say HI to Lucy and Freddie from me! Nothing like Grand Children!