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Wood & Lumber

Redwood: Mostly heartwood, lightweight and even grained.

Published 1 min read

Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is a wonderful evergreen species, with mature trees commonly reaching 300 feet high and 12 feet in diameter. (Giant sequoia is even larger and is a different species.) In North America, redwood grows primarily in California. Although much of the California redwood forests have been harvested or are now reserved, there are still…

Wood & Lumber

Blackgum: Water-loving tree is also called tupelo

Published 1 min read

Blackgum, also called black tupelo, tupelo gum, or just tupelo, is a tree that loves to grow in water and water-soaked soils. In fact, the genus Nyssa is the name of a water nymph. The tree grows throughout the eastern states, from Maine to Texas. Tupelo, Mississippi, (Elvis’ birthplace) was named after this tree. A close…

Wood & Lumber

Douglas-fir: Exceptionally strong and abundant species

Published 1 min read

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is one of the premier species of the Western forests. Not only is the wood exceptionally strong for its weight, but the trees are abundant. Trees can grow more than 250 feet tall (with the first 150 feet free of knots and branches) and more than 6 feet in diameter. Some trees…

Furniture

Designed & Made's integrated approach to custom woodworking projects

Published 1 min read

Creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration coordinate seamlessly at Designed & Made. Founded by Brian Grabski, the St. Paul, Minnesota-based custom woodworking shop specializes in cabinetry, architectural woodwork, and original design pieces.The name, Designed & Made, reflects the company’s core philosophy: complete creative ownership from initial concept through final build, said Grabski, owner. “It was inspired by…

Furniture

Art Deco jewelry cabinet is veneer tour de force

Published 1 min read

Combining spectacular veneer, exemplary craftsmanship, delicate marquetry, and Art Deco panache, recent work by veneer artist and furniture craftsman Dennis Zongker takes viewers back to an elegant furniture style that had its heyday in the 1920s.“My goal was to design a jewelry cabinet to fit into the high society of the Roaring Twenties,” said Zongkers.…

Skills & Techniques

The Composition of Working

Published 1 min read

Tools get placed in practical ways that make for easy pickup, instant alignment to task and minimal waste in time. They do everything I ever ask of them and never balk in action. I never abuse them or require anything of them that I don't know they can