Wade Nitz, Hastings, MI
Nitz of the quarter-round table. This Michigan woodworker convinced his wife there was room for one more corner table in their home and built this one from plans in the June/July 2015 issue. His charming version features a curved front and wedge drawers showing off matched burl grain. A laminated bentwood stretcher strengthens the slender legs that taper to tiny feet. Nitz says the project taught him a few new techniques and required a couple of new tool purchases to boot.
Michael Brady, Pasadena, Ca
A sight to see. Felling trees on his property and milling them in his driveway might get this California woodworker a lot of funny looks, but it also gets him easy access to large live edge slabs. The slab used to frame this full-length mirror came from a dead Monterey cypress tree on Brady’s Sonoma County land. After milling, he rabbeted the back to accept the tempered glass and a Masonite backer. Then he finished the slab with a mixture of oil and varnish. Brady originally made this standing mirror for his wife, but on reflection, she liked an acacia frame better, so he’s looking into sending it to his niece.
Glen Cutcher, Vermilion, OH
My sister’s keeper. Cutcher designed and built this handsome box for his sister to store the family jewels. The case is walnut and features a CNC-carved oak leaf relief on the front. The oak motif continues inside, where the removable tray is carved from a laminate of spalted oak and walnut. Behind the removable tray, a full-depth slot lets necklaces hang untangled from hooks on the underside of the walnut burl top. The top’s breadboard ends and hinges are crafted from cherry.
Russ Svendsen, Olean, NY
Knots and chords. Longtime reader Russ Svendsen went multicultural, incorporating a Celtic knot rosette on this kalimba—an instrument native to Zimbabwe. He built the thumb piano’s soundboard from bubinga, with sides of walnut joined with maple splines. The rosette was his first attempt at scroll sawing. He purchased the hardware from an online retailer. The keys, which span two octaves, are arranged so simple chords can be plucked with the thumbs. Svendsen says the kalimba produces a soft sound reminiscent of wind chimes. We say thumbs up!
