Category Archives: design workshops

Preserving the Fire

Posted on February 3, 2016 by walkerg

It’s 6AM and five year old Seth, sitting beside me on the couch wrapped in his favorite blanket, looks up and says, “Poppy, can we go downstairs?” “Downstairs” is Seth’s word for my basement workshop. It’s a place where he … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Basics, design workshops | 3 Comments

Stuck and Unstuck

Posted on October 10, 2015 by walkerg

It happens at least once during every design workshop. A woodworker looks up with a grin and points to a drawing. It’s followed with a declaration that goes something like this,  “This drawing may not look like much to you, … Continue reading →

Posted in design workshops | 4 Comments

The English Woodworker Premium Videos

Posted on August 16, 2015 by walkerg

  I’m not too proud to admit that after thirty years of hand tool woodworking, there’s still much to learn. From the start, Richard McGuire’s blog and video clips at The English Woodworker struck me as the real deal. There … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Basics, design workshops | 1 Comment

Look Ma! No Ruler!

Posted on August 13, 2015 by walkerg

What happens when you get fifteen woodworkers together for a workshop and ask them to design and execute a build without a tape measure or ruler? No, I did not go around and make everyone cough up their sidearms before … Continue reading →

Posted in design workshops | 2 Comments

From Hand to Hound?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by walkerg

  Jim Tolpin and I are pleased that our latest project “By Hound & Eye” is available for pre-sale through Lost Art Press. Some might ask, “How did the title of your earlier book “By Hand & Eye” morph into “By Hound & Eye”? … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Book, design workshops | 1 Comment

Mastering Design, Is there a Shortcut?

Posted on June 23, 2015 by walkerg

  Yes, but it’s not what you might think. Design, like almost any other creative act involves some fundamentals. My wife Barb loves to paint. She’d humbly say she’s still paying her dues, but she’s put the time and effort … Continue reading →

Posted in design workshops, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Top Ten Reasons To Take a Design Workshop

Posted on April 28, 2015 by walkerg

These “Top Ten Reasons” I gleaned from woodworkers who have taken my two day intensive design workshop. 1. Improved judgement – designs you like, you will know why you like them. 2. Improved judgement – designs that suck, you will know … Continue reading →

Posted in design workshops | 6 Comments

Awesome carved bowls

Posted on January 13, 2015 by walkerg

Last year I had the pleasure of spending time with Dave Fisher in his workshop. It’s a feeble attempt to try to explain his work with this photo. You only get  this one static look that doesn’t capture the sparkle … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Basics, design workshops | 4 Comments

What can you gain from a Design Workshop?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by walkerg

Design workshops are a horse of a different color. The focus isn’t on a single project, but instead on every project you build going forward. OK – if you must have a clear idea of a project before signing on, … Continue reading →

Posted in design workshops | 8 Comments

Design Workshops Far and Near

Posted on October 28, 2014 by walkerg

Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know. Daniel J. Boorst   Game changer! That’s the comment I hear most often during a “By Hand & Eye” workshop. Lights click on, gears start to mesh, and frustration … Continue reading →

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