NOTE: If you are receiving this as an email, it will truncate off about half way through, so click on the title and it will take you to the FULL article.
Through the years of woodworking, on occasion I will find an exceptional piece of wood that speaks to me.
Okay, I hear you reading this and saying, “What? Just what do mean by ‘wood speaks to you’?" Are you off your nut? Maybe you’re breathing in too many furniture polish fumes? Perhaps you should go outside more often!”
No, dear reader, I’ve not become untethered from reality, although I can neither confirm or deny that furniture polish allegation. It’s just that sometimes extraordinary material such as ‘incense’ cedar or burlwood sets itself apart from the pedestrian and is too special to use carelessly. Unique and rare wood commands me to use it judiciously on a project of commensurate distinction thus evoking that time honored metaphor of something about applying cosmetics to livestock. It shan’t be used as shelving for Aunt Martha’s dust-gathering miniature weasel display. All material in its proper place!
About five years ago, I was pawing through this newly acquired mountain of wood gifted to me by a friend (see story below), when a magnificent specimen of wood stood out. It seemed to glow. It shimmered and changed its complexion with every angle. This wood was special! I put it in a good spot where it would never become compromised as I knew it would come into play at just the right time.
Five years later, that time arrived when Kory made her spectacular and inimitable “Owl” mosaic.
She outdid herself. And I had to match it.
Though I’ve made oodles of frames, furniture, cabinets, and home improvements, this project stood out as something that was meant to be matched with this piece of wood. The crazy thing is this board, which was about five foot long, did not need to be shortened, narrowed or planed, it only needed the 45° miter cuts, and they had to be made EXACTLY at the very tip - there was no room for error - it was the perfect size! Kory made this mosaic the size it is at random, yet here is the right wood for the right art. Sometimes the forces in this cosmos work in your favor for all the right reasons.
Electronic screens are incapable of displaying the true depth and beauty of the wood and mosaic. I spent a lot of time making the backing as well so it could be hung without fear of coming apart. It is a mighty heavy piece and is as solid as any frame can be made.
Lastly, Kory just HAD TO HAVE this thing completed by a certain date so she could enter it in some sort of art show, I don’t know what it was, but I made a Herculean effort to get it to her on time, which I did. I used a Minwax® wood polish and stain and gave it several coats using #0000 steel wool then buffed it to a near mirror finish. I think it was all well worth the patience, time and effort.
Speaking of efforting, below is a fun story about where this wood came from, a little history of behind the scenery at Neoteric Wood Art, Marvelous Mosaic and the Dollar/Wise frame enterprise.
Another Tale Of Wood Acquisition
Once upon a time, back in the good old days of the mid 2010’s, a time when the world seemed a little less bonkers, I befriended an elderly gentleman who had lots of interesting and colorful tales to tell. He was a diminutive and slender framed fellow with a balding coif and epicene chin that looked as if it was trying to crawl back in for six more months of winter. This belied the fact that the runtish man was tough as an oak tree. Albeit a small oak tree you could carry away in your pocket, but one that would stand as imperturbable and proud as any sequoia.
During one hot August afternoon, the withering and pitiless sun chased me inside for some air-conditioning and a cold libation at the local haunt I used to haunt. This acquaintance of mine was already there. I liked this guy, our conversations were always entertaining, if not long-winded. As we stood at the bar solving all the world’s problems, I happened to mention that my table saw had recently kacked out and I was looking for a replacement. I think he actually stood an inch taller at that remark since we had a shared interest of making copious amounts of sawdust which, if luck prevailed, we might accidentally churn out something that resembled “woodworking”. He gulped down another mouthful of beer to shake off the punishing afternoon heat and began to speak.
“Well”, He said, “I think I can help you there. We can go to my shop when we leave here.”
We were fast becoming pals, and that’s a good thing because ever since I began talking to this fellow during our chance meetings, I had grown to respect him for his amazing knowledge of woodworking and I was now thinking that I may have a replacement for the Chinese slave-labor made heap of trash table saw I picked up at a second-hand store because a “real” one was beyond my wallet. After a couple more of those stimulating quaff’s at this oasis, we lamented about this feeling we had of being replaced by a digitally fabricated and increasingly counterfeit world where disaffected and nihilistic youth have no respect for grumpy old fuddy-duddies like us. And we think they repeatedly lie to us as well.
“Harrumph! It smells like mendacity in here.” We take our leave.
Now, I was completely unprepared for what came next. I follow him to this manicured half-acre that was sprinkled liberally with fruit trees and towering oaks still flush with foliage. Centered among this peaceful greenery was a spacious, mid-sixties, split-level and elegantly designed ranch-style home.
“Impressive!” I thought as I swing around the circular drive, but then I see my friend waving at me to back up to this tall outbuilding which looks to have as much square footage as the average home. I get out of the truck and walk to this garage door that looked to be about 10’ tall.
This is where things get surreal.
He opens that huge garage door and into this dream-shop I walked. He had everything, from a nine-foot-tall industrial bandsaw, planers, a shaper, a joiner, drill-presses, a beefy radial-arm saw plus a BIIIIIIG table saw - and all of it dating from the 1940’s to the 60’s - none of it cheap schlock - every tool and machine was US made at a time when we made the best on the planet. Nothing counterfeit here!
Once I scraped my jaw off the floor, I noticed underneath the stacks of half-finished projects, the longest continuous wooden workbench I had ever laid my eyes upon. It was thirty foot long and without a seam. It was made of two-inch maple boards placed on edge and laminated together like a bowling alley. Absolutely amazing. I could see that he had to make it in-situ as this is not something one could schlep on down the road. It was all pegs and dowels. Then the realization hit me that this little man, who wore his shirts like they were always too big for their purpose, has this amazing shop with the finest top-drawer and exceedingly rare equipment. This was making me question my senses.
Then, only after marveling at it all and bumbling around while I imagined what I would do with a place such as this, I finally looked above me and towards the dimly lit rear of the building - where I gazed upon a massive pile of wood! It was a HUGE quantity of boards, not “lumber”, but hardwoods, rare woods, some of which I couldn’t identify but was nonetheless really cool.
“Do you want any of this?”, he blurted out. “I like the cut of your jib and after seeing the work you do, and of all the people I know, I think you will put it to the best use. I’m old and no longer in need of all this, plus I’m putting the place up for sale and moving to Arizona. I ain’t takin’ most this stuff with me, so if you want any of it. . .”
“daaaa ____ doooo _____ uh _____ who? _____ muh, muh, muh, me?”
“Yes, you!”
ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ Oh Happy Day!
I was, needless to say, speechless.
And so it began, a life-changing event where I had just acquired years and years of VERY expensive and rare wood, which took days to load up and try and find a place for. Luckily it was still summer and it could be stored outside so long as it was covered from sun exposure.
Alright, I can sense you readers out there are now asking, “What about that table saw?”
Just chill, I’m getting to that! Stick with me here.
When I was still walking about this fantastic shop, there was something else that really caught my eye. It was this beautiful Delta drum/table sander. This he was selling, which including several hundred dollars worth of sanding rolls - Hell Yes I want it, but for how much? He agreed to sell it to me but essentially gave it to me for small potatoes. The guy even helped me trailer it home.
But he wasn’t done there, because as the weeks went by, he started to give me stuff. He gave me - GAVE - me that GIANT 400 lb. table saw and a dozen very expensive blades. He later GAVE me this precision wood planer with an extra set of freshly sharpened knives. He GAVE me a workbench that he built, one that actually fit into my itsy-bitsy shop. He also GAVE me a shaper and various other shop-related items.
I hauled away over six truckloads of rare and valuable wood, much of which I still have. Many of my readers have put their mosaics onto the glass I framed with these various woods such as Sweetgum (or Liquid Amber), Maple, Mahogany, Walnut, Spruce, White Ash, Red and White Oak and so on and so on, stuff he collected over decades.
So, I got that bad-@$$ table saw, a serious planer you can’t even buy anything comparable today and much, much more. All he asked is that I help him clean up the place for the appraiser once everything was moved out. He did all this and more and refused any money for it.
Yes, in case you’re wondering, I do rest peaceably at night and love every minute of every day that I’m alive because I keep an unshakable faith in my heart. Way too many extraordinary things have happened to me to believe otherwise, and this grace is reflected by those who have faith in me too.
When later I reflect on this encounter, I realized something of great value. When you take the time to listen to an old man’s tales, appreciate his history and experiences, and show a little respect, miracles can happen. This goes for all your elders AND your children. Even your pets and the wildlife in your yard - take the time to listen to them quietly and sincerely. Try to listen to what people and critters alike are trying to tell you. Too many of us want to yammer on about all our own gripes and grievances or our triumphs and accomplishments, but around you are riches and rewards for simply observing and giving someone your time. This fellow was not taken seriously for some reason. Was it his small stature, or quiet demeanor? Was he not flaunting his wealth or toughness enough? I don’t know, but I asked him questions regarding technical woodworking as he was a fount of knowledge. I listened to his tales good and bad, such as his failed marriage, of his estranged kids, of his regrets. In my estimation, it takes a robust amount of courage and strength to admit ones mistakes. But he would often brag about his work from years past and playing tuba in an oompah oompah band. And he listened to me and my quotidian life, but I was more interested in listening to the near century of knowledge that he had to share.
Well, that’s how I managed to acquire this one board for Kory’s frame. What a ride, and I had to share it with those who are artists and find my quirky story’s worth the time of day. Life is fantastic and full of wonder and wonderful people. Sure, there are evil villains trying to rule the world and enslave the planet, but that’s for other bloggers, talk shows, podcasts and those who hold stock in Alcoa Aluminum - I don’t do that here, this is all about fun, solutions and creativity.
Sometimes life is like a Ferris wheel - sometimes you’re up, sometimes your down, sometimes you just don’t know what to feel.
—Todd Rundgren
Thank you for reading this very long post, I hope you enjoyed it. If you have suggestions or comments, please click on the comment button and yakkity-yak at me.
“Way too many extraordinary things have happened to me to believe otherwise, and this grace is reflected by those who have faith in me too.”
What a beautiful reminder. Your story is such extraordinary evidence of exactly how things come together. I was just writing about life’s magic too.
The frame and artwork within it are wonderful. You're a very talented craftsman and a special being adding to this crazy, beautiful life. Nice one Dave.
Very interesting, your time invested in writing it and my time invested in reading it.