Notes From the Studio — Process

Here's a quick glimpse at the making of a new version of our California Series of tables made from sun tanned poplar. This version is 7ft long and has plenty of room for most home or small office needs.

Here goes...

Glue it up...

Mark it out...

Cut it out...

Then ReCut it out cause you got so into it that you forgot to notice that the west coast was...

Here's one of those designs I ripped right out of a magazine. Well technically, my client messaged me the pic from her phone. Not sure what company it's from, but thanks for the idea;)

As always, I added a few twists and turns of my own to make it work for this particular situation. Now it's another design solution up my sleeve for the next time someone wants a less traditional (and very economical) 'frame' for their fireplace...

Happy Chestnut Roasting,
©MonkCarpentero™
...

So I was drawing out a design for a custom desk for my old friend (who's nickname is T-money) and he says, "I want it extra fresh Monk. Go Big. Can you do like a T in old english on the side?"

Whether he was joking or not, I probably shouldn't have called his bluff. But when challenge is presented I almost have this instant reaction on most occasions...

"Yeah Sure! Why not?"

It's not that cutting fonts are the hardest thing in the world...

I don't know about you, but the ideal me is ultra-organized and super-efficient at any given moment. But I can easily fall into that sneaky trap where I'll arrange my desk or workshop for hours without getting anything done.

I recently learned a really quick and cool organization method called 'knolling' from a short documentary on multi-media sculpture Tom Sachs directed by The Selby. Tom describes knolling as "putting like objects together in parallel or perpendicular fashion as a means of organization". Very simple indeed. Here's one of my first 'knolls'...

Awhile back I went to this 'networking' event, but realized I was cardless. So I grabbed some sandpaper and wrote my info on the back with a Sharpie™. It looked ultra-ghetto, but people actually liked it and asked for more!?

So I decided to revive that project in a more refined way, but keep the handmade craftspect of it intact.

Here's the process...

Design and Print...

Glue and Stick...