Wine Glass Rack

 

Easy to build, handy to have

I'm sure you've seen wine glasses hanging upside-down in restaurant bars, but hanging them in the same manner at home allows for the glasses to dry completely and keeps them from collecting dust.

Building an inverted wine glass rack to hang from the ceiling, or, attaching to the underside of existing cabinetry is quite simple to do yourself. These are ways you can add storage for wine and stemware where you may not think you have space.

I don't know about you, but I have broken or chipped several wine glasses handling them around and in the dish washer, or in their storage cabinets. Now, I simply hand wash them, and hang them upside down to dry dust and streak-free. When I want a glass, all I have to do is reach up a grab one – much easier!

Each home kitchen is different in terms of layout and space for a wine glass rack. Hence I have designed one that you can hang from the ceiling, or, mount under your cabinets.

The sleek, space-saving design of this stemware rack contains wooden pieces that fit together to hold 12 glasses depending on style. You can paint, stain, or oil the pieces of this wine glass holder to match cabinets or wall color or simply leave them in their natural finish. It measures 15 inches x 16 inches, but can easily be cut to fit under a cabinet.

Design Features of this Hardwood Hanging Wine Glass Rack:

• Wine glasses dry streak-free
• Space-saving design contains easy to build wooden pieces that fit together to hold 12 glasses
• Mounting to ceiling or under cabinet is easy
• Measures 15 inches x 16 inches.

How to Build It

Click here for a PDF file that describes how to build it 

Warm and Classy Veneer Hanging Lamp

You will not make just one ……..

A lamp with a twist, indeed twists of veneer, going around and around with a bulb hidden in the center. It is relatively easy to make and if you're into Christmas gifts, it makes a great one.

I started out making one of these as an experiment and it ended up at our “camp” in Maine. Then one of my three daughters saw it, and said: “Dad, could you make me one?” One of my failings as a father is an inability to say no to my daughters, so it became a Christmas gift. Now, you guessed it? Both my other daughters want one!

This is a delightful light which has broad appeal and is a favorite of mine. I love the warm glow of the light passing through the thin strips of wood. The thin veneers in light colored woods (in this case curly maple) are just right for passing light through. This design is handsome, yet relatively easy to build and can be put together without an elaborate set of shop tools.

I originally got this idea from an article in Fine Woodworking by Christian Becksvoort. I modified the design and shape to fit the parameters of the veneer I could obtain. I wanted to have a single glued overlap in each piece of veneer (see discussion on calculating lengths of each piece of veneer) and have a nice pleasing circular shape. I wanted a globe whose height and diameter were approximately 12”.

How to build It

Click here for a PDF file that describes how to build it 

Saddle Seat Stool

Make this and folks will say “Wow!”

This distinctive stool is extremely comfortable. The cut-out finger openings make it easy to handle, and the metal swivel allows for easy rotation. It will not be found easily on the internet, so why not make one yourself and enjoy the compliments you will receive.

There are claims for health benefits for a saddle seat versus a conventional ergonomic chair design.

http://Backdesigns.com/ claims: “Saddle seats and perch stools allow you to get closer to your work, bend forward, and reach further with less strain. Open hip position promotes good leg circulation, aids deeper breathing, and improves balance, coordination and strength.“

I don't dispute these claims, however, I built it because this design is unusual and very appealing and I saw a way to make it simpler and easier.

The Design

It is made by purchasing a standard stool and then building a saddle seat on top of it! In other words, you don't need to learn how to turn the wood legs on a lathe, or, make the complicated holes that the rounded legs braces fit into, etc. You just need to make the seat and connect it to the purchased stool with the swivel. This is a much easier project.

A standard “bar stool” or “counter stool” is 24 inches high, typically made of hardwood and can be purchased online as a set of 2 for less than $55.00. An internet search for “unfinished wood counter stools” will reveal many sources. You probably can find them locally as well.

How to build It

Click here for a PDF file that describes the build process.

Bringing them to life

Introduction

When I was a wee lad, quite a few years ago, my mother used to buy peaches in wooden boxes like the ones shown here. I realized that this was a source of wood that could be used for a number of my “projects”. My father let me use a few simple woodworking tools, and I set off to create a world of my own with homemade toys, trucks, tractors, sleds, swings, and simple furniture. I had a ball and had started my lifelong passion for making things in wood.

I was lucky to have parents that fostered my creativity at an early age. They gave me just enough encouragement and feedback to help my early interests flourish and grow. I will be forever grateful for a father who was a skilled mechanic and had a reputation for fixing anything, and, a mother who encouraged me in effective ways I little understood at the time.

Building Wood Projects and Furniture the Fun and Easy Way.

Maybe you've tried to build a piece of furniture and gotten discouraged. Maybe you think it is all too difficult. Maybe you have felt you didn't have time. Maybe you felt you didn't have the skills. Maybe you felt you didn't have the tools. Maybe you thought you didn't have the ideas. Well, guess what – every furniture builder that I have ever met has felt that way at one time or another.

Please do not let that slow you down. No one starts out with all the skills, ideas, or tools they will eventually have. Projects should be fun with instructions that are easy to follow.  A variety of different types of projects should be described. If you are just starting out, it would be helpful to have several easy and fun projects to build. Also, after you have gained some skills, there should be more difficult project to challenge you.

So, who is this blog for?

Well, if you are feeling that I am trying to write to you, for you, and succeeding, then this blog is for you!

What I will not do.....

Overwhelm you with unnecessary details. Give you long and boring lists of all the tools and techniques you will need upfront. Tell you about the more difficult processes first. Leave out critical techniques. Try to impress you with my knowledge, or skills….

What I will do...... 

Start with some easy and fun projects. Give you several ideas that you can use as is, or change if you need, and let you know how to change them. Give you guidance on how to approach a project so you don't get caught up in complicated or excessive detail. Give you information on methods that apply to the next more difficult project.