LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

I really wanted to participate in this year's Beer Swap since I sat out last year. Unfortunately, I've been without a shop for 6 months while we are in an apartment waiting for a new house to be built. That meant I needed to finish my swap project in February, before I packed up the shop.

I had a lot of exotic wood left from making the various mosaics over the last year and I have been wanting to make some smaller versions, so coasters were the perfect solution. I could make several different prairie style mosaics, use up my remaining exotic wood stash, and get it done before I put everything in storage.

The build was similar to other mosaics I've made, a lot of looking at prairie style stained glass and Frank Lloyd Wright inspired stained glass on the internet, followed by detailed CAD plans, and ultimately designs that aren't even close to what I originally envisioned.

I did manage to get everything finished two days before the movers arrived.





That meant most of 6 agonizing months waiting for the ship date. I sent my progress picture in a month before the swap even started. I've been told I hold the dubious record for the earliest swap project completion.



In the end, having the project ready to ship at a minute's notice worked out as Anthm27 (Anthony) joined the swap even though he lives in Hong Kong. He was able to give HokieKen a couple of days notice that he would be in Chicago on business. Since I live in IA, 2 day shipping to Chicago was the perfect solution. The box with his swap swag arrived one day before he did.

Hopefully, one of these times when Anthony is in Chicago on business I can meet up with him and we can tour FLW's Oak Park Studio and have a couple Midwestern beers.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
795 Posts
Terrific Earl, and yes I am the very very lucky recipient of these fine works of art. I dont say that lightly, the detail in these coasters is superb.
You have created an illusion where by wood looks like stained lead light glass work.
The patience and know how on producing these coasters is amazing.
Well done Earl and thank you very much.
They will be well cared for in our Home in Hong Kong.
I must ask though, if you have time I would love to know some of the more exotic species that you used in them?
Also, do you have any pics of the actual build?
We,ll definitely meet in Chicago soon.
Kind Regards
Anthony
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,567 Posts
Nice job Earl. I really like seeing FLW in anything. Nice wood choices, and great eye candy display.

Thanks for posting.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
969 Posts
Beautiful Earl! I have always been a big fan of Mr. Wright but to see his style brought into your work like the great clocks you made and now these coasters is truly humbling!
I'll bet you are glad that you are going to have a shop again very soon! How do you channel that creativity when you can't be out there making something?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
343 Posts
Super!Beautiful coasters.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,100 Posts
I really like the style you did on these. I remember seeing it on the box swap. You really take wood work to a new level of art work!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,502 Posts
Incredible Earl!

I'm making some "standard" wood strip versions and it was painful enough dealing with the glue of thin (1/8") strips. You truly have some serious patients and a mind for detail.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
21,780 Posts
I guess these are okay. It ain't a tubafor but I guess they were good enough ;-)

Spectacular man.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,322 Posts
Anthony - I'll get a list together of the woods I used for you. I thought I took a lot of pictures when I was making them, but they are hiding from me. The basic build is similar to the Mosaic blog I wrote.

Rich - I use SketchUp when I'm at home or MicroStation if I work on it over lunch at work.

Mike - I've been spending a lot of time figuring out details for the new house. I also painted first coat for the entire house as the painter ruptured a disk in his back. Lately, I'm figuring out the shop layout and getting some new equipment. Still, I'm ready to get back in the shop and make something.

Kenny - your tubafor end grain checkerboard coasters were pretty sweet too, especially paired with the spalted maple.

Thanks everyone for the kind words.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
122 Posts
Those are the most beautiful coasters I've ever seen…very nice work indeed !!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,429 Posts
Earl, Really great looking coasters!

CtL
 

· Registered
Joined
·
191 Posts
Love that style. FLW rocks.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
520 Posts
Great work!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,961 Posts
Outstanding application of your mosaic skills Earl! Congrats!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,669 Posts
Those coasters turned out great. Couldn't imagine how much fine cutting was required for them.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
65 Posts
Those are beautiful! I've been thinking of coasters to use some exotic pieces I have, but haven't been able to decide on any designs. Yours have given me a direction.

Are the individual pieces glued onto a backing, or simply glued together? Any concerns about long grain border pieces glued across endgrain field pieces?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
142 Posts
gorgeous
 
Top