DEPRESSION ERA TOY MAKERS

Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers comics and movies during the 1930's inspired an interest in space, and wonder of all of those things out there. Movies with titles like "Forbidden Planet", Missile Monsters" and "Mars attacks the World" made for entertainment during this depressing time, featured far more action than logic, but nobody seemed to mind.

These stories inspired many to create home made toys, since shiny manufactured toys were simply out of the question for many families. People of that time were self reliant, and made many things for their home, including furniture, clothing,  musical instruments, tools, carts, toys and more. It was unheard of to buy a new piece of wood for a new project.  Nothing was thrown out, but saved for other uses, so the adventure began by finding exactly what was needed from the discarded furniture, leather harnesses, mop and broom handles, tin cans and buttons, boards and cans of lead paint. The hunt could take days before the cutting and shaping took form from their imaginations into unique space age guns.  The inspiration provided many hours of fun.

The tool shed, may or may not have had electricity, depending on where you lived, but it had all of the hand tools needed to build just about anything. Hand saws, hammers, files and rasps, screw drivers and wrenches, braces and assorted wood bits, along with cans of assorted bent nails and screws were available to kids who knew how to use them by watching their fathers build and repair things around the house and farm.
It was as much fun making it as playing.





Inspired by the past, I decided sculpt my own space gun from old furniture parts I had lying around. There is a lot of satisfaction in working with your hands.
Now, if I only had that time machine...............

Do kids today still have that spark of imagination?

PAINTED BOX ON STAND.........

Painted furniture is distinctive, unique, and personal and will always have a special place in any home. Just look around today and you will see examples everywhere. Magazines and web sites are full of pieces that are gaining a second life, thanks to fresh paint in bright colors.

I too, love painted furniture. It is a great way to accent a room, and blend traditional and contemporary styles with an interesting twist. The piece shown in this post is not an old second hand store piece, but a new design and construction. It's a box on stand, modeled after pieces once used to store valuables and papers. It measures 16"w. x 24 1/2"h. x 11"d. The box features a lock with a simple escutcheon on the face side, and is mitred on  the top and all sides, so it has a very clean contemporary look to it. The base is more traditional, with turned legs, and socket casters.


There are three different finishes on this piece though it may be hard to see in these photos.
First, the base has
a black, pebbly texture. The box itself, a deep mottled red pattern with a high sheen polish
The top surface needed special attention, so the center section is painted in a faux "Whale bone" pattern, simulating whale bone inlays of an other century. When you open the box, you see that it is left natural maple, and sealed with a hand rubbed  lacquer finish. I think this makes a very unique piece, and a great storage box for special keepsakes and treasures. It is small enough to move around, or could even be used as a chair side drinks table. Please contact me of you are interested in any type of custom piece of furniture.

GREAT READING............

Here's an offer for all of you that love fine furniture.  I have a collection of Fine Woodworking magazines that I no longer need, and would love to pass them on to someone who would be interested in them.  They range in date from the fall issue of 76, through 92.  There are 127 magazines, but some are duplicates, and not all years are complete. Many great articles in those magazines. I also have three copies of Home Furniture which was also published by Taunton 1996,and 97 issues.

Most copies are in perfect condition.
I would hate to throw them out. If you are interested, they are yours for the cost of shipping, (I am in Michigan). Contact me for a shipping quote.

GEM, OR JUNK.............

I recently found this little Art Deco styled chair at a flea market. It was cheap, and I liked its character, so I took it home.  The stretcher is cracked, the joints are loose, and the finish is a mess.  It would make a nice hall chair, or serve as a bed side stand. It's made of oak, and does not have any manufactures markings on it. Notice the little finger grip route on the back side, a nice touch I think.

Now, looking at it, I'm trying to decide it it is worth restoring or not. I'm just not sure, and not familiar with the Art Deco market. What do you think?? Does anyone have any thoughts?

 The chair measures 19"w. x 18"d. x 34 1/2" h.

REFORMED TABLE.........

This table has the unique distinction of being built from rough sawn boards and planks salvaged from the Overisel reformed Church in Michigan. This church building served this congregation for 133 years, before being razed. My family has a historical connection with this church since 1841, so I was interested in collecting some of the wood for a future project, but by the time I got there, most of it was gone. Only small broken pieces remained.





The inspiration for this piece is of Irish Baroque design, combined with stylized religious motifs, I had seen while absorbing chapels, museums, and cultures on various trips over a period of time."


The table is 31 1/2" x 16 1/4" x 26 1/2"H. and made of White Pine and Poplar, harvested near the site.
The nail holes remain, and the table was given a light pine colored stain and several coats of lacquer.










The forest, the lumber and the sanctuary are now gone, but hopefully this small table will have a new life for many years to come.

EVERY THING OLD, IS NEW AGAIN...........

Those of us who grew up playing vinyl remember gathering friends around a turn table to listen to a new album and talking about it.  We cranked it up, and played it from the beginning to the end, the way it was meant to be.  There were so many favorites. It was an experience of a different time and place.  Today, a whole new generation is experiencing music the way it is meant to sound, a sound that quality digital formats just can't reach.

If you are a serious vinyl collector, or someone just starting out and appreciating records, the good news is that there is some great equipment out there ranging in prices from moderate, to very high end. Finding a decent cabinet however, seemed to be a problem for me.  You can find old, vintage pieces which are generally way too large, and well worn with age.  I've designed this console specifically for a turn table, and record storage in a compact design to showcase  equipment as a focal point in a home.   You no longer need to stack milk crates, or choose damaged, second hand furniture.  This is meant to be a showpiece.  Music has a magical way of rekindling memories of specific times, places and people  sometimes locked away for generations.  Bring  your record collection out of the closet and remember the joy they brought you.  Every thing old, is new again.

Inspired by iconic 60's modern design the record console is made of walnut solids and veneers, and is finished with  multiple coats of hand rubbed oil and wax, just as the early high end pieces of  modern furniture were. This cabinet was hand built by my friend, Bob Berghorst, a very talented craftsman.
Please contact me if you are interested in custom pieces designed to fit your specific needs.
Record Console : 23"w. x 17 1/2"d. x 32"h.

WOODEN TRAINS......

Through the years, I have been inspired to make one of a kind toys for my own amusement.  The photos shown are examples of my latest project, a wooden art deco styled train engine. It measures 13" x 5 3/4" x 3 1/4".

Toys and design are so intertwined with art and design that you can understand how enticing these creative ideas would be.  Renowned architects and designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Gerrit Rietveld, Frank Lloyd Wright, Marcel Breurer and many others have collected, played,  and designed toys throughout the ages.  A number of these makers continued developing their ideas into  large global companies, like carpenter Christiansen (Lego), or Hans Beck (Playmobil) and became largely successful. Toys are a big business.
Today, artists and designers are developing collector, limited edition cars, planes, dolls, and rockets etc. in precious metals and materials for the serious adult reflecting on their own lost childhood.

I think however that the unknown parents and grandparents have  the most pleasure quietly creating their toys for pleasure and entertainment. Rattles, and rocking horses, doll houses and wagons or games with multiple pieces and mechanics have delighted countless hours of childrens
 imagination with play things both simple or complex.  I  believe that these silent craftsmen and women will carry on this toy making tradition of making those enduring toys for their own children to treasure.