Observations from the Woodshop

THE MEANDERING CHAIR

 

Our Journey Begins

          I’ve always enjoyed meandering around.  I’ve never been one to conform to the straight and narrow path. Interstates bore me. Family trips were often plotted along secondary roads, which sometimes took twice as long, and often provoked family mutinies, but also led to a number of interesting sites and experiences.
The kids are grown now, and my wife is not always anxious to get back in the car after a long week of commuting, so I have decided to take an alternative companion-a “Meander” chair- on some side trips. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing our adventures with you.

Our Story Begins: An Evening with Bill and Patti

   The first trip with the chair was to visit some neighbors for a lovely summer supper. These folks live a ways, “off the hard road” and the drive includes crossing  a bridge that my wife finds rather scary. Their house lies in a meadow near the end of the road. Bill and Patti have built what looks like a regional vegetable jail to protect their garden from the deer and rabbits. Here we see Patti in the garden,  relaxing in the chair, surrounded by lillies, tomatoes and basil. The chair also inspired them to reenact Bill’s marriage proposal.

    Patti is a ceramic artist and art instructor and we see her work outside in the form of unique bird baths and inside in the form of vases, plates, and bowls, that add an elegant touch to the meal. Patti sometimes processes native West Virginia clay in her rural studio. View some of her art at; http://traceforkpottery.org/. She’s also in the process of creating a production line that we are looking forward to seeing in it’s finished form.

Tags: creativity, family business, fine furniture, furniture, furniture making, handmade furniture, Inspiration, lumber, meander, pictures, S Curve, West Virginia, woodshop, woodworking