The attraction to the artwork created by Zulma Steele and Edna Walker at the Byrdcliffe Colony in Woodstock, New York is contagious. While preparing my book Shop Drawings for Byrdcliffe Furniture a couple of years ago I asked my lovely, … Continue reading →
Last Thursday, August 12, 2021 I had the pleasure of discussing Byrdcliffe furniture with Henry T. Ford, Byrdcliffe Historian and Director Emeritus in an online forum, presented by the Woodstock-Byrdcliffe Guild. The guild has a multi-faceted mission; they maintain the … Continue reading →
In Celebration of Zulma Steele (& Edna Walker) Before I started writing about the American Arts & Crafts Period of the early 20th century (more than 20 years ago) I thought that the history would be the easy part. One … Continue reading →
My new book “Shop Drawings for Byrdcliffe Furniture” is featured in the July/August 2020 issue of Woodworker West magazine. Editor Ron Goldman got in touch with me recently and included a four-page essay about the book, and about my examination … Continue reading →
The good thing about the internet is the access it provides to images and resources. Twenty years ago when I was working on my first book Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture, finding good images to use as references was a … Continue reading →
“Shop Drawings for Byrdcliffe Furniture” is now in stock and available for immediate shipment.This is the only book that provides detailed information about furniture originally produced at the Byrdcliffe Colony in Woodstock, New York in the early 20th century. Click … Continue reading →
Thank you for your interest in my new book “Shop Drawings for Byrdcliffe Furniture” and your support of my work.This is the only book that provides detailed information about furniture originally produced at the Byrdcliffe Colony in Woodstock, New York … Continue reading →
Here is the second part on the article that I wrote in 2014, about my 2012 spur of the moment trip to see the Byrdcliffe Iris Desk. Part 1 is here. Â Â The story of the Byrdcliffe colony and drawings for … Continue reading →
I like to say that behind every good piece of furniture is a good story. The same is true for books. My first book “Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture” took about 20 years to go from idea to completion. My … Continue reading →
The signature feature of Byrdcliffe furniture is the colored carvings designed by Zulma Steele and Edna Walker. The image at right is the drop-front panel of the Iris Desk. In original pieces there are several variations of the iris, and … Continue reading →
Many people are aware of Gustav Stickley’s furniture, and other furniture made in the Arts & Crafts period of the early 20th century, but few are aware of the contribution made by the Byrdcliffe colony. Most woodworkers I know have … Continue reading →
Nineteen years ago I was finishing up my first book “Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”. Along with the rest of the world the publishing business has changed significantly. Between then and now I’ve written several other books, spent ten years … Continue reading →
And should editors of woodworking magazines practice psychology? Way back in 2006 I built a reproduction of the Byrdcliffe Sassafras Linen Press. The original lives in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and there are a … Continue reading →
This piece is for sale, in stock for immediate delivery. Scroll down for purchasing information. This carving is based on the left hand door panel of the Byrdcliffe linen press. The original linen press is in the Metropolitan Museum in … Continue reading →
This piece has been sold, but I would love to carve another one just for you. Click Here to send me an email. It doesn’t seem like ten years have passed since I built a reproduction of the Byrdcliffe Sassafras … Continue reading →
This piece is for sale, in stock for immediate delivery. Scroll down for purchasing information. This carving of a stylized iris is similar to the carvings on the front panel of the Byrdcliffe Iris desk. The artwork is also from … Continue reading →
This piece has been sold, but I would be happy to make another for you. E-mail for details. This is an interpretation of one of the panels from the Byrdcliff Iris Desk, panels designed in 1902 by Zulma Steele. To … Continue reading →
When you reach a certain age you find yourself becoming more careful about some things, but not giving a hoot about others. There are a lot of interesting things I could pursue, but I find myself deliberately avoiding some new … Continue reading →
Like a guy who remembers the first girl he kissed, I know exactly when and where my fascination with Byrdcliffe carving began. In the late 1980s I came across one of the best books about the Arts & Crafts period, … Continue reading →
A few weeks ago I spent the weekend teaching a class on carving reproductions of the panels from the Byrdcliffe Iris Desk at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking deep in the corn maze of central Indiana. Carving is the … Continue reading →
Space is still available for this class August 1 & 2, 2015-Click Here to sign up at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking website. On the weekend of August 1 & 2 I’ll be teaching a weekend workshop at the … Continue reading →
Picking a favorite project is like deciding which of your children you love the most. Picking my favorite kid would be easy, I only have the one. Among all the things I’ve made from wood, the Byrdcliffe Linen Press is … Continue reading →
One of the things I like most about building reproductions is that it takes me out of familiar territory and puts me in a place where the easy way out isn’t an option. If left to my own devices, I … Continue reading →
