In the meantime, here is another project that I am working on for an upcoming woodworking show in Portland, Oregon on May 4th - 6th at the convention center. It is called the "Gathering of the Guilds". Woodworking is just a small part of the show. The project is a ball-n-claw footstool. I think the west coast aesthetic is different than the east coast. The east coast would be interested in the more traditional colonial style. The west coast aesthetic is more modern and asian. Consequently, I will keep it simple and only carve the claws - no fancy leaf or shell carvings. I will most likely use either white or black leather for a more modern feel. One does not see too many nice representations of colonial features on the west coast. I am looking at blending traditional and modern with this stool.
Here is the footstool with the legs shaped on the bandsaw and the joinery finished. I am using some beautiful walnut that I purchased back east and hauled around with me. I sincerely believe the east coasters keep the best for themselves before shipping the second hand stuff out to the west coast. And most of that which is shipped is surfaced, which sucks as we lose a lot of wood for boards that are no straighter than the unsurfaced stuff.
I don't simply freehand the cabriole leg shapes - the shape is based on what I learned at North Bennet Street School in Boston and there are a lot of layout lines for reference. The school in turn used a style from a specific cabinet maker in Philadelphia named James Gillingham (~1765-1770). Philadelphia had a keen eye on style and produced some of the most beautiful pieces during the colonial days.
Them notches you see below define the top locations of the ball vis-a-vis the claw.
I use a small scraper with a curve that matches the ball to clean up the chisel marks to give a nice surface on the ball.
Ready for the toes next.
That's wonderful woodwork. Legs are designed and shaped perfectly. It's showing devotion and tact.
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