Category Archives: 4-Household Items

Fly Swatter Shaker Style

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Greg Merritt

A few weeks ago Paul Sellers had a blog post where he showed a fly swatter with a leather business end.  I liked the idea and immediately began searching the internet for similar designs. Note:  Paul Sellers has since made … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Swatter-Shaker | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Clamp-On Pincushions-Part 2-Complete with a Bonus

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Greg Merritt

The plan at the end of my last post was simply to complete the second version of clamp-on pincushion and complete the design drawing for the first version.  A simple conversation changed my plans. My mother stopped by over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Clamp-On Pincushions, Design, Illustrating, Sewing Caddy | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Clamp-On Pincushions-Part 1

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Greg Merritt

I mentioned in a previous post that several years, eighteen to be exact, we spent an impromptu weekend at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.  We fell in love with the Shaker furniture and, at the gift shop, I purchased … Continue reading →

Posted in Clamp-On Pincushions | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Ratcheting Book Stand-Redux

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Greg Merritt

It’s not very often that I get requests for projects that I build.  Some of my stuff is a little out there.  But, when I do get a request, I try to accommodate.  My version of the ratcheting book stand … Continue reading →

Posted in Ratcheting Book Stand | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Ratcheting Book Stand-Lathe Project

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Greg Merritt

One of the projects high on my list,  in the event that I ever had a lathe, is a 17th Century turned book stand that Peter Follansbee reintroduced.  It’s a nifty design with a ratcheting mechanism to adjust the angle … Continue reading →

Posted in Illustrating, Ratcheting Book Stand, Spring Pole Lathe | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Honey Dipper-000-Lathe Project 

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Greg Merritt

In my ongoing quest to learn to turn and, to a lesser extent, shrink my mountain of offcuts I present the next beginner project that I have tackled.  The Honey Dipper. There is not much to say about the honey … Continue reading →

Posted in Honey Dipper, Spring Pole Lathe | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Garden Dibber-Lathe Project

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Greg Merritt

Like most things in hand work, no amount of reading or watching of videos can teach you to turn wood on a lathe.  At some point you have to start putting tool to wood.  Only then can your hand and … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Dibber, Spring Pole Lathe | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Incense Burner Stand-Part 2-Complete

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Not a whole lot to add to the story here.  I simply added a coat of Tried and True Original to the stand as per the instructions on the can.  That’s about all there is to it.  I’ll add a … Continue reading →

Posted in Incense Burner Stand | Tagged | 8 Comments

Incense Burner Stand-Part 1

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Our sense of smell is a powerful thing.  Pleasant smells have the power to alter our mood.  Some smells bring back memories.  I’ve even read that the smell of fresh baked cookies can help to sell a house.  Unpleasant odors … Continue reading →

Posted in Hide Glue Pot, Incense Burner Stand | Tagged | 10 Comments

Seizing Inspiration when it Presents

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I make things.   Not to earn a living.  Not because I have to.  I make things because I want to and to satisfy a deep-seated desire to create.  I tend to make things that have a practical use, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Incense Burner Stand | Tagged | 10 Comments