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.

Worcester Magazine

Today an interview I did with Steven King of the Worcester Magazine came out.  The show has been getting a lot of recognition and play lately.  Steven asked me twelve questions, taped them and then printed the answers verbatim.

Click on the link below to read the article.

 http://worcestermag.com/2013/11/21/two-minutes-steve-butler/18845

Worcester Telegram and Gazette

Today an article about the TV show appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette newspaper.

The shows been getting a lot of attention lately, which is great.  Donna Boynton from the T and G did a great job.  I really appreciate all she has done.

You can read the online version of the article by clicking on the link below.  Thanks for checking it out.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20131118/NEWS/311189958/1101/newsrewind

Saw Tote

I haven't done a lot of work in the studio lately but I'll be very busy soon.  I have a lot of new interesting projects I'll be working on for the show as well as for myself.

The other day Liesl and I were wondering around an antique market when I saw this simple little tool tote.  It's called a tote because tote means to carry.  This isn't a tool box just a simple little carrying tray for a few tools.  What I love about it is the ingenuity behind it.  The crafts person needed to find  a solution as to how they were going to carry their handsaws.

I love the simple comb like device they made to do so.  So simple yet it works perfectly.  Sometimes we over think things when the solution can be a simple one. 

I love this tote.

Costume chest

My friend Glen finished building a chest for his daughter.  Glen took apart an old pine bookcase and re - used the material to build this beautifully crafted chest.  I love re-purposing materials and objects and Glen did an amazing job with this chest.  The finger joints are impeccable.  Glen used a router to cut the joints. 

I love the contrast in colors between the old finish and patina of the boards and the raw , freshly exposed wood.

Sometimes we try to hard to make things blend and be perfect.  I personally love to see the history and life of the old wood and the new stories of the fresh wood.

Glen used a slow closing piston stay for the lid support.  The lid is attached with a brass piano hinge. Glen cut a rabbet in the bottom skirt for the chest to sit in.  The skirt is mitered at the corners.  The clean lines are beautiful.  Well done Glen'  You've created a great heirloom that your daughter will pass along to her children.

Below are a pair of Adirondack chairs that I made.  I took apart two old pine bookcases and used the wood to build the chairs.  If you have some old furniture that you are no longer using or have no space for take a second look and see if you can use the materials to create something new, much like Glen did.  The feeling is wonderful to give new life to an old object,  re - using and re - purposing materials.

The Melamine Cup

Today Liesl, Quin and I went Jaffrey, NH and visited a store that specializes in mid - century modern furnishings called 'The Melamine Cup'    The store is awesome and the owners are very gracious.  It took us an hour and a half to get there but it was well worth the trip.  It was hard not to buy a lot of product.  We've been searching for the right desk to use as a computer desk.  I know this sounds strange being that I'm a furniture maker but it's like the cobblers shoe less kids.   I can't afford the time off too make something for us or the cost of materials.  Making furniture for yourself and family generally doesn't pay the bills.  

Today we found the perfect desk and an ottoman.  We'll be back soon.  The store and area was perfect.   It was a great day for seeing fall foliage as well.

Providence finger joints

Yesterday I went to visit my friend Glen in Providence who is making a chest for his daughter.  Glen took apart an old pine bookcase and is re purposing the lumber and using it for the chest project.   Glen decided to use finger/box joints as the primary joint for the chest.  Glen did a fantastic job. He cut the joints using a router.  They are precise and aesthetically proportioned.  As always- gluing up a bunch of boards takes more than two hands, so I went to lend a hand.  The glue up went smoothly and the chest looks great.  The original finish is still in tact and looks beautiful.  I love the contrast in colors in the finger joints.  The honey pine of the old boards and the new, raw exposed wood of the fresh cut boards.  It works well.

I can't wait to see the end results.

Works in Wood 2013

Yesterday  I received news that I will be participating in an exhibition called Works in Wood 2013.

Works in Wood is a juried national exhibition that takes place at the New Hope Arts Center in New Hope, PA. In Beautiful Bucks County.  I was lucky enough to participate in it last year.  last year my Tea Lights were accepted into the exhibition.  This year my Tea Caddy ( pictured below ) was accepted.  The tea box is made from Mahogany and rosewood.  It is joined by hand cut dovetails.The opening reception is November 9th.  For more information visit

Works in Wood 2013 

New Hope Arts center, 2 Stockton Ave. 2nd Floor. New Hope, PA 18938 

215.862.9606 www.newhopearts.org

''RRRRRRRRRRRR"

Slowly but surely Quinn's pirate chest is coming along.  Today we added the red maple and burlap handles and the skull and cross bones.  This has been a fun project, it makes you feel like a kid again and there's nothing wrong with that.  

Pirates of Massachusetts

I'm slowly working on my son'd pirates treasure chest.  It's been a fun project.

This simple chest has some great aspects to it, like the coopered lid.  The pine staves are  beveled on each side to fit.  A simple techniques that creates a drastic look. I took a plane to the staves once glued together to knock off the high spots.  I then sanded the chest to 220 grit.  I'll give the entire chest a coat of wax, creating a nice amber look.  I attached small pads or feet on the bottom to elevate the box and make it look lighter.  I also added a pine bottom to it.  All that is left to do is to create some handles for the chest.

  

soles for cleaning

I have a small table top belt and disc sander that I use a lot when I'm sanding pine.    The belts  get gummed up quickly.  I'm not sure of the spelling but you can by commercial rubber blocks to clean the belts and get the gum off.  They are pronounce 'Crape' blocks.  The soles of certain shoes such as hush puppies and desert boots are made out of the same material.  I bought a pair of old shoes for $3 at my local thrift store.  I took the shoes apart and kept the soles.  They work wonderfully'  I'd have to pay at least $10 for one block at a woodworking supply store.  Instead I got two for $3.

They don't look pretty but they work very well.

Pirates and Cider House

When we were apple picking this past weekend we saw a beautiful old cider house that had a wonderful old coopered apple bin. My son loves to dress up and play pirate.  The coopered apple bin inspired me.  Quinn's been asking for me to build him a large pirate chest that he can use so I started to build him one this week.  The chest is made out of pine and constructed using simple butt joints reinforced with square head nails.  The top is made out of pine staves that I coopered  for the lid.  The angle on each piece is approximately nine degrees.  If you have pieces that are the same width you then can do simple math to find the angle of each piece.  I'll take a hand plane to the lid to knock off the sharp corners.  This will make it round.

Cider House

Yesterday we went apple picking.  We went to Keown Orchard in Sutton.  Last year I spotted this old cider house and had to take a picture.  After a great day of picking apples I went and took this picture.  I love the coopered tower.  It's aged beautifully.  The old tower and house are a warm gray color.  I hope it's still standing next year when we visit again.