Boxes, Boxes Everywhere!

If you happened to catch Niels' Facebook page today, before 3:00 am he posted a "selfie" in his stocking cap, safety glasses, and respirator.  One of the challenges he faces is random insomnia so...when he can't sleep, he works!  I'm not saying it doesn't eventually catch up with him, but he seems super focused in the middle of the night...three amazing Myrtle salad bowls came out of last night's efforts!

But, this post is really about BOXES!  One of our customers' favorite items, Niels makes a variety of different styles.  Here is a sampling...

Each is made from a single piece of wood, and no two are ever alike.  Why? Because Niels doesn't use any kind of duplicating equipment and each piece of wood has its own character.  Shapes can be similar, but each is unique.

Here are Niels' newest boxes...Not sure what to call them!  Any ideas? The separation of the lid is almost invisible. In Maple, Myrtle, and Walnut...here they are with  lids on and off. The decorative rings are burned in with a piece of piano wire as the box turns on the lathe.
 

 

These are "snap lid" boxes, there is a little lip that holds the lid in place and when you put it on it "snaps" back into place.  Left to right: Honduras Rosewood, Narra or Amboyna, and Olivewood.  Each with African Blackwood finial.

 

 Lastly, simply unique boxes...on the left, the Walnut reminds me of an acorn, don't you think so?  And on the right, Australian Black Morrell Burl that Niels kept the natural burl edge and added an African Blackwood finial.

Questions?  Comments?  Suggestions??  

Thanks for stopping by!  Mrs MadWood

More Holiday Offerings!

So I have to say this about my Niels...he appreciates that women appreciate beautiful things. 

A while back, inspired by his beautiful daughter, he made a few makeup brushes.  Lovely, durable, and amazingly soft, they have been a hugely popular item at our shows.  Surprisingly, much of the time you see men walk up, pick one up and turn to their spouse or partner and say "hey honey, look at this"....in the same way that women pick up one of our old-school badger hair shaving brushes and call to their men to look.

 

These sets with matching cups are gorgeous...the photo does no justice to the color and figure in the wood.  Pictured are Cocobolo on the left, Black Ash Burl on the right.  Niels has several more sets working, to be ready in time for our show in Pasco, WA.  Olivewood, Pink Ivory, African Blackwood...each in a coordinated stand.

Check out www.MadWoodTurnery.com for examples of the brushes we offer and other MadWood creations!   Hopefully I'll have these up in a day or so :)

Left: Cocobolo   Right: Black Ash Burl

Thanks for stopping in!  Mrs MadWood

A long time coming!

HI!  This is Mrs. MadWood; office help, web support, chief photographer, event scheduler, marketing manager, and now Blogger!

It's been awhile since the last post, but trust me, Mr MadWood has been hard at it for the last many months, either at shows, or working to create new and beautiful items to add to the inventory.  We did several new events this year, Kirkland Uncorked, Edmonds Art Festival, Spokane and Pasco Art and Craft shows, and of course, Art on the Green in Coeur d' Alene, ID.  We have met some amazing people, the kind that welcome you into their homes and lives.  A very special thank you to Sue and Galen Luce, of Spokane.  Sue is a darling woman and very talented glass artist, and her husband Galen has a sharp wit and uncanny skill to find the best junk food.  He also is guilty of introducing Niels and I to the caramel/cheese popcorn...darn you!  We met this spring at the Spokane show and they kindly invited us to stay with them for the Art on the Green in August.  Talk about hospitality....5 stars!  Anyway, that is one thing we have learned from this business, the other artists out there working to make a living are kind, fun, wonderful folks.

This August, we were happy to have Kathy and Jerome of Simple Things by Kathy (http://simplethingsbykathy.com/) stay with us for the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival.  Again, the kind of people that become friends and welcome in your home.  We are excited to seem them again next month for the big EXPO Christmas show (more info below).  Kathy hand paints glass with wonderful designs and colors and Jerome is the best salesman of her work one could ever hope for!

Besides meeting great people, we worked hard this year to figure out where we "fit" in the Arts & Crafts world.  I think we found some good events that we will apply to for 2014, a few that we won't.  I'll get a tentative 2014 schedule working soon on MadWoodTurnery.com.

And now, it's almost the holidays...how did that happen??  Where did this year go?  We have two more events to finish the year, the Christmas Arts & Crafts Show in Pasco, WA November 8, 9 & 10 (http://www.custershows.com/home.php?flag=1&secid=7)  and The World's Largest Christmas Bazaar at the Portland EXPO Center Nov 29-Dec 1 and Dec 6 - 8.  Two big weekends with hundreds of vendors, many handcraft artists like Niels with amazing products.   http://www.expochristmasbazaar.com/    Making her EXPO center debut will be our good friend and show neighbor, Lori Schumann.  Her website, www.skirtinaroundbylori.com  will be up and running soon, offering custom sewn aprons, bags, pillow shams, and other unique creations. 

Here are some pictures of Mr MadWood's latest...these will be available at the Pasco and EXPO shows! And of course by request either here, Facebook, or the website. These are Australian Banksia Pod and Sea Urchin Ornaments, finished with exotic wood finials.  For the tree or on a stand for year round enjoyment!

So, thanks again for checking in, we welcome any comments!