Author Archives: Steve S.
Repairing and Refinishing a 19th-Century Sideboard – Part 2
In my last post, I showed how I removed the old finish from this 19th-century sideboard. Most any antique furniture I can afford to buy is going to need some repair, and that was certainly true of this piece. No … Continue reading
Repairing and Refinishing a 19th-Century Sideboard – Part 1
When I visit antique shops, I’m always pulling out drawers and looking underneath pieces to see how–and when–the thing was built. Most of the older, handmade pieces are way out of my price range, so I’m just looking appreciatively. But … Continue reading
What Wood Finishes are Food-Safe?
Although I don’t make a lot of spoons these days, I still haunt the spoon-making discussion groups on social media, and this is one of the most common questions I hear. How can you be sure that the wood finish … Continue reading
Fix Flaws in Wooden Spoons with This Simple Inlay/Infill Technique
Author Note: I drafted this post several years ago but am just now getting around to publishing it. Although I don’t make a lot of spoons anymore, I still want to share this handy technique that I’ve used over the … Continue reading
Make Your Own Ribbon Bookmark
Who doesn’t love a nice ribbon bookmark? Older bibliophiles will remember when many fine hardcover editions of literary classics came with a ribbon bookmark. I always loved them, though I’m afraid they aren’t as common as they used to be. … Continue reading
On Safety: No Risk, No Learning
One of our family’s favorite children’s books is called Very Worried Walrus. It was part of the Sweet Pickles books published in the late 1970s. Each book featured an animal character (such as Moody Moose or Responsible Rabbit) whose all-too-human … Continue reading
Making a Joint Stool from Trees, Part 3: The Seat and the Finish
In my last two posts, I showed how I made the oak framework for my new joint stool, which I’m making with expert guidance from the book Make a Joint Stool from a Tree by Jennie Alexander and Peter Follansbee. … Continue reading
Making a Joint Stool from Trees, Part 2: No-Lathe Legs
In my last post, I showed how I did the layout and joinery for my new joint stool, which is a 17th-century design that I have wanted to try out for years. I built the piece from wood taken from … Continue reading
Making a Joint Stool from Trees, Part 1: Layout and Joinery
Ever since I got this book, I have wanted to make a joint stool from a tree. The grainy picture alone should give you an idea of how long ago that was. The book is Make a Joint Stool from … Continue reading
Building Peter Follansbee’s Book Stand (in Exotics)
Last Christmas I was given a few pieces of exotic wood, which have been sitting in my shop since then, waiting for me to make a special little project with them. After doing a lot of work with pine this … Continue reading
The Literary Workshop Blog 