I was pleasantly surprised to hear from CustomMade.com that we were chosen as one of their top ten favorites just before Christmas!  Scroll down through the other beautiful pieces to find my dresser "Took A Hit". CustomMade is a great website begun by one guy trying to promote the work of bespoke furniture makers in North America. It's now expanded considerably and includes jewellers, glass makers, and many others.

It's quite humbling to see the standard of workmanship out there; it reminds me of preparing for the show in Cody each year. I think - "yes, I like the piece I have created" and then I get there and see the incredible creativity and standard of work by my fellow woodworkers. That's why it's good to go to shows in my opinion - it reminds us that nothing is new under the sun! I'm getting ready for a show in March - the Scottsdale Arts Festival. I think my pieces will be different and unique - and yet, and yet... we shall see.

Here is a peek at the end tables I am making for Scottsdale. Not quite finished but three quarters of the way there. Today I'm working on the copper; you will have to wait and see what it's purpose will be!

P.S. CustomMade.com is an online marketplace that connects buyers of custom furrniture, decorative items and other products with the artisans who make them.

"Got any work?"  One of those global questions we woodworkers tend to ask each other - besides here in the US, I have even heard it from a few French guys in the South of France. We want to know how things are elsewhere and how we might improve our own work situation.  I once heard an interviewer ask Morgan Freeman (the actor) something like, "You seem to be working constantly.  How do you manage it all?" To which Mr. Freeman responded something like, "Oh, I'm always working, I just haven't always got a job."  It was encouraging and I thought, Hey! that's me, that's all of us.  I'm sure it applies to just about everyone that is self employed.

So by "working" it follows that jobs will more likely come.  Waiting for the phone to ring is not working.  Waiting for the government to create a job for you is not working. Forcing yourself to make some calls, and meet more people is very hard work for us introverts.  But it is work that will usually result in a "job."  It's the modern day equivalent of hunting and if your a little hungry you will be a more effective hunter.  Although being on a dole for a short time can be a good thing, it soon becomes an opiate which removes the motivation to 'hunt" (ie. work) and thereby imprisoning people to the source of that dole.

Currently I'm "working" on a game table to be shown at the Cody High Style Show in yes, little but lively Cody, Wyoming.  While it is combined with the Buffalo Bill Rendezvous Royale Art show and Patrons Ball (quite a fancy soiree), I would consider it to be one of the premier showings of western art and style.  It is art, fashion, furniture, and more, made by gifted artisans with extraordinary talent.  I am always blown away by the work I see at this show and consider myself very fortunate to have been invited to participate.  We all hope we get a job out of it as a result of our hard work.

Have a look at  www.rendezvousroyale.org or better yet come and see us September 21 -24th.  You won't be disappointed