Budgets

August 26, 2015 ~ sandyconnolly

Budgets…every project has one and it’s important to understand what is realistic for you. Then the decisions you make will be good ones (in theory)!

Overall budget = all the bits and pieces needed to make your project happen + all the unseen = usually doesn’t equal. Compromise? Potentially, here we come.

Let’s look at building a house. Perhaps you have always wanted a timber frame home, but, it doesn’t fit into the budget. Compromise here is EASY, easy for us at least, go with a hybrid. Combine timber framing and conventional framing, trust us, it’s still wonderful. If you can’t build the big house you want now, be sure the design is friendly to an addition later on. We recommend going with a CAPE.

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Which Wood – Cherry

April 11, 2015 ~ sandyconnolly

Cherry Wood – from the fabulous Cherry Tree – a favorite for many, but not horses. Toxic to horses, who knew? Okay, back to the beautiful wood.

Cherry – Prunus Serotina
- Black Cherry, American Cherry
  - Considered a hardwood, but towards the softer side of hard…if that makes sense.
  - Native to the Northeast US – yeah!
  - Often the 1st choice for cabinetry, turned pieces, artisan crafts, furniture, flooring, trim work and more.

Small – Medium in Rustic Cherry.

Cherry heartwood is light brown when initially cut – but over time it will deepen in color – darken and become even more beautiful. The sap wood – however – will not change. The little cutting boards shown above have sap wood included on purpose for rustic character. Do you see it? Do you like it?

Furniture and cabinetry in cherry wood can be quite stunning – but the cabinetmaker needs to be able to select the wood properly. Who know’s what I’m talking about?

Hope Chest in Cherry Wood – Natural Finish

This hope chest – shown in cherry natural and when it was just completed – is soooo much darker now – wish I had an updated picture. We favor the natural wood grain, but some stain cherry (walnut too). It’s just a preference thing, don’t judge.

See the bead-board cabinet behind it? This is not cherry – any guesses?

We have yet to make a live edge piece in cherry, so we would like to feature one by a fellow woodworker – who happens to also be located in Windsor, VT. What do you think? Is this gorgeous or what? Paul is super talented, we’ve seen his work and are thrilled to find out he is so close. A meet-up is in order, hint, hint.

Cherry Table by Paul Wilson

Check out this coffee scoop in wild cherry – so unique and fun. Want one? Click on the picture to find out more…

Wild Cherry Scoop by Boot Hill Blades

What are your thoughts on cherry wood?

Happy Happy – Merry Merry – Holy Moly – Busy

December 24, 2014 ~ sandyconnolly

This past year has been crazy – crazy good actually. Learning so much as our little side project grows. Thank you to our friends, new and old, your support and encouragement means so much. Each client, new and repeat, all who have one (or more) of our wooden cutting boards and perhaps a serving tray – you all ROCK.

Our Elle Design

From Very Vermont and our first international sale to AMAZON DOT COM (sorry, was I yelling) excepting Creative Woodworking as a brand…

Staging Photos with Putney Wine

Getting crafty in our pretty little town…

Getting Crafty in Windsor, VT

and in a neighboring town…

or two

In 2015, we will have new designs as well as new products, stay tuned. Please keep in mind that Emery (a.k.a. Bud) is a finish carpenter and cabinet maker, offering artisan quality in all that he creates. Sub-contracting is available and you won’t be sorry – trust me.