Eric Johnson's Furniture Weblog

Tiger Maple & Cherry Chess & Checker Board

The idea for this project came several years ago from our oldest daughter.  She wanted to make a chessboard for her younger brother & sisters.  She did some research and we came up with a game plan. 

We were both very pleased with how it went together and how nicely it turned out.  My wife sewed a little red suede bag for the chess & checkers pieces and it was the hit for Christmas!

 

 

Over the past few years, I have been working with the design.  I have added feet to stabilize the wood.  Then I made a few with drawers to store the chess pieces.  

 

 

In the past few months, I have continued to play around with the style.  Most recently I enlarged the board for larger pieces and included a framework around the actual chess board. 

 

 

I also divided the drawer into two compartments to include both chess and checkers pieces. 

 

As we prepare inventory to go into the galleries for the summer months, chess & checker boards on are the list.

If you like what you see or have some ideas that you would like to see implemented, email or call and we can work on the design together.

Until next week,

Eric

www.ericjohnsonsfurniture.com

Email:  info@ericjohnsonsfurniture.com

(603)726-4980 

Hot Art on a Cool Night--Open House March 18th--Aritstic Roots, Plymouth, NH

We wanted to pass this invitation along to any local readers that would be interested in a nice outing.  As we have mentioned from time to time, we are members at Artistic Roots Cooperative Gallery in Plymouth, NH.  They have a reception coming up soon that should be both fun and informational.  Maybe we will see you there! 

Hot Art on a Cool Night

Spring Open House at Artistic Roots


Artistic Roots Gallery, located at 75 Main Street in Plymouth, is
hosting an open house on Friday, March 18 from 5:30 – 7:00
p.m. Everyone is invited!


It’s all about celebrating what’s NEW at Artistic
Roots! The gallery has a totally NEW look; everything has been
rearranged. The thirty-five members have lots of NEW work on
display, and we’d like you to meet our NEW member,
Jennifer Mattrick, a fiber artist from Campton. You can also pick
up our NEW Spring Class Schedule.


While you are browsing through the gallery, enjoy scrumptious home-made hors d’oeuvres, sip some champagne or sparkling cider, and feast on hand-made chocolates from Clay’s Chocolate Shop in Campton. And don’t forget to enter the drawing for fabulous door prizes donated by the members!


There will be an advance reception, along with an exclusive door
prize drawing, for Artistic Roots Supporting Members from 5:00
– 5:30.



Artistic Roots Gallery, located at 75 Main Street in Plymouth, features original locally-crafted works of art: hand-made quilts, purses, wall hangings, scarves, sweaters, hats, and mittens; hand-crafted jewelry of sterling silver, ceramic, beads and kiln-fired glass; hand-thrown pottery mugs, bowls, vases, cookware and decorative pieces; wooden furniture, clocks, chess sets, Shaker boxes, and kitchen utensils; mosaics, sculptures, digital art, photography, cards and limited-edition reproductions. Collectors of fine art will enjoy a large selection of framed original oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, illustrations, drawings, and prints.



Artistic Roots is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit cooperative art center whose mission is to bring together artists and the community through workshops and classes; peer mentoring; receptions and events; and to provide a venue for the sale of artists’ works. The cooperative is managed and run by the Member Artists. Membership dues, sales commissions, class tuition, fund-raising and donations support the maintenance and financing of Artistic Roots, Inc., for the benefit of its members and the community.

For more information call (603)536-2750

March Featured Item -- Queen Anne Pedestal Table

 
This tiger maple candle stand features a lovely hand-turned pedestal and dish top.  The legs are attached with hand-cut sliding dovetails and the entire table is finished with a silky sheen.

Queen Anne Pedestal Table 

18” diameter top x 24” tall

$650

Call or email for more details.  If you would like to work on an alternate design, we provide free designs and estimates.

Until next week,

Eric

www.ericjohnsonsfurniture.com

Email:  info@ericjohnsonsfurniture.com

(603)726-4980

 

Wrap Up from New England Home Show in Boston--Feb. 2011

I didn't get any really good pictures, but I thought I would follow up with some news and photos from the New England Home Show that I attended this past Thursday through Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA. 

A big thank you to all the folks that volunteered for many, many hours setting up and breaking down to promote local New England woodworkers through the WoodExpo sight.

 
 

Here is a shot of two pieces that I was able to take--the black and tiger maple cupboard in the back and the small Sheraton drop leaf table (see earlier posts about each of these pieces).  This was still during the set up process, so although you can see some of the other great pieces that were shown there, it doesn't give the full effect.

 
There were a lot of graduates from the North Bennet Street School at the show, and it was great to see some of the carving demonstrations and visit with other woodworkers.  The best part for me was getting to talk to the folks visiting the show.  Thanks Brad and LeAnne for coming out and others that I might have missed!  Without folks like you, I would be digging ditches! 

There were a lot of talented craftsmen and I enjoyed going around and seeing the variety of craftsmen both in our booth and throughout the show.  I hope to be involved in some way again next year. 

Again, a big thank you Eli, Neil, Justin, Bruce, Tom MacDonald and the other coordinators of the event for their time, interest and enthusiasm for promoting quality woodworking!

Until next week,

Eric 

www.ericjohnsonsfurniture.com

Email:  info@ericjohnsonsfurniture.com

(603)726-4980

Campton, NH  03223