My wife Julie works in a government office.  Like many professional women, the things that she wears to the office tend to be made of lightweight fabrics with special laundering needs.  These items can’t be dried in the dryer,...

I’ve been pretty idle since the fall, largely owing to an over-committed work schedule and a chronic lower back problem.  But recently I found myself growing increasingly annoyed by the chaotic state of our bathroom counter.  Our...

Julie’s plant stand was almost ready for assembly.  First, though, came the drudgery of sanding. I’d tried to avoid having to do a lot of sanding by using a hand plane to smooth edges and pieces where I could.  In some cases,...

Embellishments The wide, flat tray ends and side pieces scream for some kind of ornamentation.  I debated pyrography (wood burning), but I haven’t held a burning tool in 40+ years and, while I did pretty well in junior high art...

Julie’s plant stand started out as a pile of boards.  For this design I needed three different stock thicknesses:  4/4 for the tray sides and slats, 5/4 for the sides and lattice strips, and 8/4 for the frame and feet.  I spent an...

Way back in March, when spring was right around the corner, I designed this for my wife Julie: My original plan was to have it done for her birthday in May.  That was before I knew I needed surgery on my left foot, which took me out of...