REPRODUCTIONS:

Typical of small  Craftsman style tables,usually in dark oak

Hardware (including some original) is available to restore your Hoosier cabinet. Hoosier style pulls and catches are popular now on new cabinets also.

ADAPTATIONS:

We're just finishing up a set of tables (2 end tables and a coffee table) loosely based on the English Craftsman style. We also built an umbrella stand which is more faithful to the original. Using the same design we're also going to supply a double wastebasket sized to hold two paper grocery sacks for separating waste for re-cycling.
We have a design for a Craftsman style music stand in oak that turned out pretty nice.
We have made up some table lamps with copper and mica shades, two styles of mantle clocks and a Mission style magazine rack in quarter sawn oak.

RESTORATION:

A lot of  very old chairs require a new turning or two to bring them back. Most Victorian and later chairs have plain stretchers and rungs  that may  have to be turned to get the right diameter but the turnings are not so interesting as earlier pieces.

Many times an old piece (if it hasn't been painted for the porch or rec room) only needs a good cleaning and a once-over with shellac and oil (French polish). As we get into the 20th century, manufactures started using  nitrocellulose lacquer. If that gets damaged it almost always has to be removed since while it will re-dissolve in its original solvent, it tends to lift off in sheets. Pieces this late probably should be 'repaired' rather then 'restored' .

Re-seating chairs with cane, reed, or rush. There are so many kinds, one of the most challenging was  an oval back with an oval medallion in the center, suspended by a sort of spider web of cane.

KNITTING and SPINNING ACCESSORIES:

    We've added an accessory to the vertical swift that Pat is selling, a modified spool and crank to allow using the swift to wind skeins. I'm also finishing the restoration of Pat's antique skein winder. I'm going to make measured drawings of all the parts so I can try to make a reproduction. There is a two stage worm gear reduction that turns an output shaft once for every 120 turns of the winder. This snaps a noise-maker("pop goes the weasel" ?) when 300 yards have been wound. A pointer on the shaft lets you gage your progress or make smaller skeins. Cutting the worm gears ought to be a treat!

We have an alternate style vertical swift based on an antique that allows putting on the skein without removing a spool, we think it is easier to use then the one we have been making. Both styles will be available until a clear preference is shown for one or the other.

JUST FOR FUN:

    Whirligigs seem to be most commonly from New England, long cold winters, can't farm, can't fish, etc. They certainly  fall in the realm of Folk Art. One that I've seen (and  am trying to reproduce) is a Doryman  rowing . The mechanism is intriguing, I suppose that's what drew me to it. Woodchopper

Bird houses and Feeders: