Japanese Inspired Gate and Bench
This small structure was a class project made out of
simple dimensional lumber. The structure serves as a rest
and information area for my University's Open House. The
Japanese Gate aspect of it creates a sense of place in a
space that lacks this. The structure also contrasts the cold
concrete of the building surrounding it with subtle curves
and the warmth of wood. The joints were made entirely
with hand tools and the structure can be broken down into
manageable side pieces to move it to a new location. It is
approximately 9'6" tall, 12' wide and 10' long and the total
design/build time was 3 weeks. The timber is being left
unfinished for now.
Cypress Japanese Lamp
This project was definitely a labor of love as it has
approximately 112 hand cut joints holding it together. It
stands at 18 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide. The glow it
produces with a 25 watt bulb and the rice paper creates
perfect mood lighting and it will be appearing in Fine
Woodworking magazine's Reader's Gallery in the upcoming
months.
Japanese Inspired Frame
This is the single photo version of my Japanese inspired picture frame. This particular
one is made out of walnut, maple, and an antiqued cork paper and can hold 4x6 or 5x7
photographs. This design is extremely versatile as I can make it in virtually any
combination of wood and paper, offering the client limitless possibilities to customize
this to her/his taste. The mechanism for attaching the back and stand is fairly
innovative, as it utilizes the strength of rare earth magnets.
Double Japanese Inspired Frame
This is the double photo version of the Japanese inspired frame made in Paduk with a plain black
paper. The construction is the same as the single version, except for the stile in the middle to
divide the two picture areas. It too can hold both 4x6 and 5x7 photographs.
Mini Chest of Drawers
This is another versatile little item and was my a continuation of my experimentation with
veneers. It stands over 9 inches tall, 11 inches wide, and over 6 inches deep. The woods
on the outside are mahogany and curly maple veneer. The drawers themselves are made
out of a less figured mahogany with clear plexi glass drawer bottoms. The drawers also
have a mostly decorative drawer pull made of rosewood. A completely dovetailed version of
this is also in the works.
Sun Clock
This "sun clock" is made primarily out of veneered 1/2 inch Finnish plywood. It is
roughly 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide with a 4 inch clock face. The veneers
used include maple burl and redwood burl, with gold leaf accents. Inside, a light
bulb illuminates the amber mica to form the sunburst.
Cube
This simple 4 inch cube turned out to be a hit for whoever
I made it for. It includes maple, mahogany, ash, walnut,
and cocobolo
Guitar Stand
This is my fourth and most successful try at making an attractive guitar
stand. Made out of Lacewood, it gently cradles any Stratocaster or
similar guitar. Another guitar stand is in the works that should hold any
guitar, Les Paul's included.
Park Bench
This 8 foot bench is made of clear Douglas Fir. I made it for the folks at the Tilden
Park Little Farm in Berkeley where is remains in public use today. It turned out to
be surprisingly comfortable and the 74 mortise and tenons and polyurethane glue
will hold this together for generations.
Lacewood Frame
This Lacewood frame features through, pinned
mortise and tenon joints and holds three 5x7
photographs. The pins and black stripe are
both made of ebony. The color in the wood
and the ebony is accented with the Japanese
paper that is attached to 1/8 inch plywood and
is conceivably interchangeable. Like the
Japanese Frame, this can be done in
numerous combinations of wood and paper.
The mortises are all done by hand. The detail
on the right shows the brilliance of the
Lacewood and a closeup of the joint itself.
Maple Burl Jewelry Box
This jewelry box is constructed primarily of 1/2 inch Russian Birch plywood veneered with cherry
veneer on the insides and book matched maple burl veneer on the exterior.
Cypress and Mahogany Lamp
This was my entry for the 2nd
Annual Vellum competition. It is
made of cypress for the two
solid sides and cross supports
and mahogany for the center
support. Under the Japanese
paper is a 25 watt light bulb that
illuminates both the paper and
wood behind it. The lamp is
about 8 inches square on the
bottom and 27 inches high.
Cherry Bedside Table
This is one of my older pieces made out of solid cherry. The drawers are made out of 1/2 inch
Russian Birch plywood with heavy duty metal drawer glides. The top is made out of 5/4 stock and
has approximately 40 biscuits to ensure it does not come apart given the way it is laid out. This
piece is approximately 15 inches square on the bottom and 27 inches high.
Japanese Inspired Coffee Table
This table is made out of Cherry, most of which is 6/4. The design is based off of the Japanese
rafter system which lends a very structural quality to the piece. All of the mortises (16) were done
by hand and the ebony on the pinned through-mortise and tenon joint really sets the piece off. It
is still missing its 2 by 4 foot piece of glass for the top but other than that it is complete.
