Arrowmont Workshop

I'm teaching a weeklong workshop at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gattlinburg, TN this fall.

The workshop runs from Sept 28 to Oct 4.  For more information or to sign up for the workshop visit
arrowmont

   Below is the description of the workshop.

4 x 8 CONTEMPORARY 

PLYWOOD FURNITURE

STEVEN BUTLER

The resurgence of plywood furniture in recent 

years attests to the material’s enduring appeal. 

In this workshop we will channel the spirits 

of Thonet, Aalto and the Eamses to design 

and create beautiful furniture out of a single 

sheet of plywood. Learn how to manipulate 

the material into a fantastic finished piece. 

The class will cover the essential technical 

aspects of plywood furniture making; the 

tools, techniques, machine safety, and joinery 

involved in the process of creating such items 

as chairs, tables, desks and more. For beginner 

to intermediate students.

COURSE FEE: $575

Walnut Bench

I made  this bench a few years ago when I worked at Peters Valley.  I recently cleared out my storage space

and moved the bench to our home.  The bench is made out of walnut which has some nice curly grain.  The bench is 54 inches long, 14 inches wide and 3 inches thick. The legs are made out of aluminum

I used a template to rout some vein lines into the bench to mimic where one would sit.

The bench is unusual in that it has six legs.  It is easier to find purchase on the floor with only two but I like the look of the six legs.  The legs are adjustable if needed.  The legs have a tenon on the end of them that is mortised into the underside of the bench.  The end of the tenons are tapped to accept a one inch bolt.  The

 bottom of the mortise has an insert nut mortised into it to accept the bolt, making the legs adjustable and very sturdy.  I can't remember the exact angle that the legs are splayed at.  I think it is 8 or 10 degrees.   

I bought wooden torpedo legs from a home center and added tenons to the ends.  The tenons on the middle legs are a different leg than the other legs. The wooden legs are the template for the aluminum legs.  The legs are turned solid bar stock.

Here is the finished leg with a tapped hole in the tenon to accept the one inch bolt.

Across The Pond

Yesterday I shipped one of my Bread Side Tables to England.

I love making these quirky tables and I love it that they have found an audience.

The tables are made using vintage bread boxes and attaching vintage ottoman legs to a plywood base that is fitted into the bottom of the bread box. Sometimes I 'll paint the legs. I attach a chain so the door will remain open so a book or a morning cup of coffee can be placed on it.  The table going to England will be used as a telephone table.  I drilled a hole in the back of the box to accept the wires.

I sell these tables on line through my etsy store.

I recently received a comment about my bread box tables on my etsy page.  If anyone knows me they know that I love mid century modern design and aesthetic.  My bread side tables are inspired by my love of all things vintage and in know way would I call them mid century modern.  The bread box and ottomans I use for the table come from that era and are a product of that design aesthetic. Below is the comment that a woman from South Carolina posted on my etsy page.  What is the saying about bad press ?

Making these tables make me smile and for the few moments it takes too make a table I escape the seriousness of the world.  I'm not thinking about the money we owe or the bills but everyone is entitled to their opinion and I applaud this woman for speaking out.  So many people say things quietly without ever standing up for themselves.

"please stop ruining mid century furniture. The only reason I even saw this atrocity is because someone posted it in the "shame" section of a mid century club. it has over 50 comments, and not one is giving this mess praise. so please stop ruining things that can't be replaced. thanks."

The Garage Tee Shirts

We finally have tee shirts. The shirts will be available to purchase on the shows web site.  All proceeds go back into the show to keep it in production. When you add up the costs of materials, mailers and DVDs each episode cost approximately $350 or more to produce.  The shirts are black and available in med, Lg and Xlg.  If you would like to help support the show and purchase a shirt please go www.thegaragewithstevebutler.com and click on the 'merchandise' page.

Shop Dog

Every shop space needs a shop dog.

Last week we adopted a great dog from 'Dog Orphans Inc' out of Douglas, MA.

Rocco, a three year old male from South Carolina found his way into our hearts and our home.  He's a true Southern Gentleman.  He listens well and is great with our young son.  Rocco is a Lab/Collie mix.

You have to love vinyl

Anyone who knows me and my family know that we have a love of mid-century modern furniture and that retro vibe.  Last week we found this great stained maple and vinyl upholstered bed at the salvation army.  We were in need of a new bed frame, which I know sound crazy being that I'm a furniture maker but you know " The cobblers shoe-less kids" syndrome.  The bed is perfect for us.  The best part is, I got it for $19.

Pine Wood Derby Cars

Woodworkers love to keep their cutoffs and pieces of scrap wood.  You never when you might need them right?

My son and I have been making Match Box Cars using our pieces of scrap wood. The base of the cars are from some leg pieces I had from a previous project and the top of the cars are made out of pieces cut off from the coopered top of the pirates treasure chest we made.  The pieces are beveled on the sides.  I put to body pieces together and then use a forstner bit to create the wheel spots.

The cars couldn't be any easier too make but they go along way.  I love making these simple cars with him.  It gives us a chance to talk and learn about what's going on in his young life.

The wheels are store bought, costing around $2.00 for a bag of four. We attached them with some headed finishing nails.  You need the ones with a large head so the wheels don't slip off. We then bought some stickers and painted them. We sprayed painted a black line down the middle of a board and propped it up on a chair to create a race track.   He loves them and I had a blast making them with him.  We have a bunch of pieces left over, just waiting for that rainy day.

See you next spring

It always saddens me to have to put away the patio furniture for the winter season.

I love making outdoor furniture.  They get used more and it always gives me a sense of pride when I see friends and family sitting in the chairs I made or eating off of a table I made.

People just seem happier when they are relaxing outdoors.

I can't wait for spring.