Craftsmanship

Mar 26
Amy

My dad is a woodworker.  He has been making things out of wood for as long as I can remember.  Most of the stuff he made while Erika and I were growing up looked nice, but was built more for function.  Once they built their house, though, Dad started really fine-tuning his skills and he has made some absolutely amazing pieces.  He made the buffet that holds their nice dishes, furniture for their deck and yard, the mantle for their fireplace, and several pieces for Erika and me, as well.  He did follow a woodworking pattern for some of them, but mostly got “inspiration” from catalogs and built his own design.

Ask him, and he’ll tell you – he’s not an artist.  Ha!

So, this year, he started using some of his scrap wood to build some candle stick holders.  He gave Erika and I each a set of four.  There are three different sizes in the sets.  Then he thought he’d see if one of the shops in La Grande wanted to carry the sets for sale.  The Potter’s House Gallery carries them now.  I love the candle holders, and apparently the people of the Grande Ronde Valley do, too, because he’s had to take in several more sets.

Candle Holders

Oh yeah, he’s not an artist, remember?

He also started making bread board with dipping bowls.  These are cutting boards with bowls for bread dipping oils.  I can’t wait to have one of these (hint hint hint, Dad).  Notice the center section that is made especially for catching crumbs.

In conjunction with the bread boards – bread knives.  I don’t know if you can tell in this picture, but the blades are offset from the handles which makes it super easy to cut the same size slice every time.  That’s not what I love about them, though, it’s the look of them.  They are so pretty with their different layers of wood and colors, I love how unique looking they are.

Still think you’re not an artist, Dad?

He also started making clocks.  This first one is the one he made for my mom for their mantle, and the others are desk clocks that are at  The Potter’s House Gallery.  They are all so so so pretty!

Mantle Clock

Desk Clocks

I do love this clock, too – what a neat idea to have pictures and a clock all together.  However, there is one HUGE problem with this clock. 

Can you see the pictures?  Look closely.

Um yeah, that is my sister, Erika, and me from about 12 years ago.  Not too big a deal, right.

Wrong.

The clock is already at The Potter’s House Gallery, pictures and all.  🙂  Erika and I are headed to Cove later today.  I do believe we have conspired to make a pit stop and replace the pictures with something a little more benign.  Maybe some random baby picture from a magazine or at least pictures of us we like.  Ha ha!

So, Dad, I think you might need to stop being so  stubborn and just admit the fact.

You are an artist!

One with amazing talent, an eye for beauty, and two daughters and a wife who are very very proud of you!

Oh yeah, your oldest daughter might have to give you a few lessons about product photography, though, not that I’m an expert, but, well, you know . . .       😉