It’s a new year, and I hope to do a better job posting on my website. Currently, I’m working on two projects, a tool cabinet and a couple of rocking chairs. As for projects for the rest of the year, I still have some time available, but it’s filling up quickly. I’m also scheduling some fairs/shows to attend. I’ll list these soon, so if you are in Indiana, it may give us a chance to meet.

As to the current projects, each is taking different directions. The tool cabinet is being built mostly with hand tools, using early 19th-century methods of construction. That’s not to say it is all by hand. I am using a few power tools to do the milling of stock. I’ll get into this project more in my next post.

The purpose of using this method is to refine my skills in woodworking. Having used mostly power tools over the years, I am finding that the development of skills with hand tools is greatly enhancing my overall knowledge and abilities.

The other project is a couple of rocking chairs. I love building furniture, especially bookcases, and cabinetry, however, I’ve never built a chair. Oh, I built a kid’s table and chairs for a couple several years ago that they gave to their daughter for Christmas, but it was nothing fancy.

I’ve studied the work Chris Schwarz has done with his chair building. I’ve looked longingly at the rockers built by Sam Maloof, but have never taken the plunge to try it for myself. Of course, that would be like trying to build a mansion instead of starting by building a storage shed. And so, when the two rockers on our patio began to fall apart, it gave me an excuse to give this a try. Again, I won’t go into much detail today but will discuss this more in a future post.

I have much to catch up on after holiday sales, restocking regularly inventoried items, and the addition of a few more products. I have also been asked to build a couple of jewelry boxes and a bookcase. Pictures will be forthcoming.

If you enjoy these posts, please comment and let me know. If you don’t like them, you can let me know, too.

Thanks for stopping by my shop!

Rod Noggle