Gloomy days...

Well, I have had a terrible time trying to find something to blog about. I have been working on the website a little, but I seem to be stuck and demotivated for a number of reasons. basically, with the carving business gone, there is not much for me to do or talk about. Well, the sun is bound to come out again sometime, and I'm sure we'll be able to get out of the gloomies. Well, my latest endorsement of an anime, Haibane Renmai : A wonderful story about angels. It's kinda slow and definitely for the emotional types. Enjoy!

Web site Creation

Ok Ok, It's true I have not posted anything in a while, and the truth is there is not much to blog about on a carving blog if I am not carving! However, I have been keeping busy listing things on Etsy for Cheryl and Lately, I have been working on our WEBSITE! http://www.allenbrite.com/index.html
Now! Don't expect much. The learning curve for me is a rather steep one. Cheryl usually did all that network stuff for seats, but now she is working on wristlets and purses. So now it is my turn. Anyway, come check it out if you have the time. The goal is to make it brite and festive and have a dozen or so links to our blogs and Etsy store. OH! My latest Anime that has captured my attention. Code Geass! Enjoy the first opening, which I think is the best thus far.

Growing as a Carver

I was looking at some old pics the other day and came upon some of my early work. I have to tell ya that this is difficult to blog about because it looks so HORRIBLE compared to what I do now. However, it did sell and at the time, I thought it was pretty good. I thought it might be a great topic for one of those "before and after" shots. Back in the day when I first started, I used to freehand everything. Now at the time I thought this was what set me apart, unfortunately, I could not get much consistency with my drawings. After a while I discovered carbon paper! And the world opened up to me! I was able to get consistent results with my drawing, and the carving naturally followed. Well, you live and learn, and grow and develop. I like how I do things now. As for those old pics of my early work, HIDE AND BURN EM!!

Another display project

So with the Show coming up this weekend, Cheryl wanted me to make another display for more of her pencil pouches. This time she wanted them to have a tolled over look instead of the sharp edges of the last one. I must say I found this one easier than the first even with a mitered edge. Now I don't have one of those handy dandy band clamps for mitered edge glue ups, so I added a little block of wood in an unseen area so I could get some clamping pressure. I know the "blue tape" trick, however, I have yet to get it to work to my satisfaction. I usually like to clamp things nice and tight and get that glue to squeeze out nice and even. You can't really do that with blue tape. After I glued up the edge, I rounded off the corner with the router, Then it was just a matter of assembly. Cheryl wants to paint it later tonight so it should Be ready by Saturday. I also made another rainbow hanger for more wristlets and stockings. Oh! One other thing, I'm really beginning to like Gorilla glue. For those who have never used it, It's a resin glue that expands when it dries. This fills in any gaps that may occur when you are dealing with less than perfect lumber. This project was not a problem, But I thought it would be best to use in the event there was a small gap in the mitered edge.

Who ever said changing oil was EASY???

Ok! If you are a Mechanic, go ahead and laugh now, But GEES! So. My brother in law says that "even Eth can change his own oil" This is usually not meant as a compliment but translated:" Even an untrained monkey with a missing right paw can change his own oil!" Well, I'm here to say that I have proven something that is idiot proof, I have found a better idiot! I followed the directions, I drained the oil without a hitch, but I could not get the oil filter off. "Oh! It's only hand tight!" they say. RIGHT! Well, having never changed my own oil before, I didn't feel any need to buy a $10 single purpose tool that really was not required. Am I not just the biggest fool! Well, at least there is new oil in the car, but the old filter remains until my next attempt. I guess I can buy a cheaper 'oil filter remover tool' for the future, or just pay Valvoline to do it for me. OH! My lovely wife was nice enough to get some pics for my blog. I look more like a run over pedestrian than an auto mechanic. For today's purposes, I pretty much felt that way.

New Display Project

Our Computer modem has been acting funny lately so I have been finding it frustrating to keep up with blogging. It seems to be holding out at the moment so I'm posting my latest project. It's nothing fancy, Actually it's pretty basic stuff. Cheryl wanted a new display for her wristlets to dangle from for the upcoming show this weekend. So I have been busy cutting pieces out of scrap plywood to make ti a reality. Nothing really difficult here, just draw on the design and cut it out with the jig saw. I wanted to make it so the feet could be taken off, but Cheryl thought it best to attach them permanently. So a long screw and some gorilla glue worked out well. Then the stain. She wanted it dark, but with the grain of the plywood showing through. Now all that is left is a quick spray on finish and some hooks for the wristlets. Should be done tomorrow. Red,

the shop cat, is alwasy ready to lend a hand!

The Affirmation of a Woodworker

You may never think of yourself as a "true" woodworker. However there will definitely be signs that everyone else around you does. Myself, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no Maloof, David Marks, Chris Pye, or Wood Whisperer ( What is his name again? ) . Sure, I've made a living off of working with wood for the past 6 years and I try to blog about it on a daily basis, but the REAL proof that I am now worthy of a title is when your relatives give you all kinds of books about wood because you're the "wood guy" in the family. Now I'm not trying to be ungracious, in fact, I kinda like it. however, there is usually not much I can learn from the beginner books, YET I just can't find it in my heart to throw them away. Like those small scraps of wood you have after a project. You just never know when they will come in handy. Well. I may have a few projects coming up this week. Cheryl wants me to build another display item for an upcoming show. Luckily, I have some scrap plywood still in my possession that may do nicely. Hope everyone has a great week!

Fate Stay night!

My latest Anime that I have been following: Fate Stay Night. It's pretty good, Thought I belive the main character is a bit of a wimp even though he wants to be heroic ans save everyone but himself. Ah well, The openning is pretty cool. Enjoy!

Big Windup! Season 2 is HERE!

Last night, Cheryl and I curled up to watch Big Windup! A GREAT anime for anyone, even those who do not like baseball! I'm not really a fan of baseball, but I am TOTALLY into this series. Tonight we watch the second part of season 2 so I can't wait. Follow this link to watch it Online NOW at Funimation. So here is the new opening, Enjoy!

Finished carved panels, Say hello to Mickey!

So the panels took a little longer than I thought, But since I had very little else to do, I probably obsessed on them more than I should have. By the time I finished, I was tired and it was late, so I was not in a posting mood. Anyway, here they are: For the elephant and the Hull FC, I used the router. Since the panels were rather small, I had to use my "special" clamping plan to keep them still. Pretty cool, eh? I new that the stain would be a problem if I didn't carve them deep enough, but the client did not want them painted and had seen some of my other unpainted panels. The darker provincial stain tends to over darken the grain of oak. But it does give it a cool antique look. She also did not want the two larger panels polyed. So there they are! The two smaller plaques were pretty much the same as doing the toilet seats and fish panels. The painting was a bit more of a challenge, but I think they turned out pretty well.