tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62817534743201585142024-03-12T19:54:01.891-07:00Ron Cook-AuthorPreviously Ron Cook StudiosRon Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-76256076242939297872023-12-02T14:16:00.000-08:002023-12-02T14:16:33.041-08:00<p><span style="font-family: courier;">My Ron Cook Studios website is changing. I "sort of" retired from my wood art, but on<span style="background-color: white;">ce in a while I do occasionally head for my studio to make a few small items for my </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" style="background-color: white; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">At this point in my life I have switched over to writing novels full time. I have two paranormal mysteries published (<i>Firebrand</i> and <i>The Last Family of Wizards</i>) as well as a memoir (<i>On Guard in the General's Chorus</i>), a book of short stories and mystery novelettes (Onward Through the Fog). I also have a book of poetry and contour drawings <i>(A Young Upstart</i>).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">For information on my books, ebooks, and audiobooks, go to my <a href="http://www.roncook-author.com">Ron Cook Author website</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Until next time...</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-46440541817281277842022-09-15T11:43:00.001-07:002023-04-16T16:34:33.228-07:00End of Summer Notes<p>September in Santa Cruz is usually sunny and warm. We did get a week of very nice warm weather that allowed me to barbeque several days, followed by a few days of early fog then pleasant afternoons.</p><p>Even though I’ve retired from “active duty”, I’m still occasionally tinkering in my studio, making a few small items for my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. However, I am not taking on anymore restorations and repairs. </p><p>So, what am I doing now (besides some yardwork)? Writing. Getting published.</p><p><strong>New Work</strong></p><p><img align="right" src="http://www.roncook-author.com/index_htm_files/14.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right;" />Yes, my new book is out. It is called <em>Firebrand</em>, and it’s my first full novel. Here is the synopsis:</p><p>Charles Blue had grown up in a middleclass neighborhood with no idea of his family background. His parents’ tragic and suspicious death by fire changed that. </p><p>A grandmother, a San Francisco fortune teller and part owner of the Mystic Eye Occult Shop, took Charles into her home and started to teach him about his hidden “abilities”. For 25 years, Charles barely accepted his powers, then friends began dying by fire. </p><p>He and his girlfriend Bell now had a reason for learning all they could about incantations and spells to combat a powerful, unknown adversary. </p><p>A <strong>Charles Blue Paranormal Mystery</strong> Available through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Firebrand-Ron-Cook/dp/B0BB5QTXKP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TBAYLLRT8TQ2&keywords=Firebrand+Ron+Cook&qid=1663184369&s=books&sprefix=firebrand+ron+cook%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/firebrand-ron-cook/1142031292">Barnes & Noble,</a> and worldwide online and through independent bookstores.</p><p>Hope you enjoy it!</p><p><strong>Old Work</strong></p><p>I’ve been writing since grade school. In college, I was an English major and took several writing courses. I won two awards for a couple of my stories and that triggered the need to continue writing, even while pursuing my craft… early American and medieval European stringed instruments and furniture.</p><p>Even before I retired, I published four other books. Here they are:</p><p><img align="left" src="http://www.roncook-author.com/index_htm_files/8.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 12px 0px 0px;" /><strong><em>Onward Through the Fog</em></strong></p><p>Eight short stories of drama, comedy, adventure, and reminiscence, and two mystery novelettes: “The Great Pearl Alley Caper", and “The Girl Next Door”. </p><p>The short stories include a wannabe beatnik/hippie/punk, a frustrated writer, a lovesick coworker, a remembrance of childhood, and a peace-seeking individual in a not-too-peaceful situation.</p><p> In the two novelettes, wine bars and bistros are meeting places for heroes and villains, for the workingman and bum, for loves won and lost, and for rising body counts.</p><p align="right">Available through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Onward-Through-Fog-Ron-Cook/dp/0692983732/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Onward+Through+the+Fog&qid=1605381337&sr=8-3">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/onward-through-the-fog-ron-cook/1127748863?ean=9780692983737">Barnes & Noble</a>, and <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/ron-cook/onward-through-the-fog/paperback/product-1qkn95p5.html?page=1&pageSize=4">Lulu.com</a></p><p><img align="left" src="http://www.roncook-author.com/index_htm_files/9.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 12px 0px 0px;" /></p><p><strong><em>A Young Upstart</em></strong></p><p>In 1977 I entered a period of my life where self-doubt and depression were nearly everyday occurrences. Not liking these attitudes, I began self-analysis using the Gestalt therapy teachings of Fritz Perls. </p><p>From 1977 to 1980 I hung out at the Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffeehouse at the Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell, California. It was in this wonderfully social environment that I began sketching hundreds of contour drawings of patrons and writing poetry and stream of consciousness meanderings. This book is a compilation of many of those works. </p><p align="right">Available through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Young-Upstart-Ron-Cook/dp/057857425X/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=A+Young+Upstart&qid=1605381405&s=books&sr=1-6">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-young-upstart-ron-cook/1134088504?ean=9780578574257">Barnes & Noble</a>, and <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/ron-cook/a-young-upstart/paperback/product-1qkngm29.html?page=1&pageSize=4">Lulu.com</a></p><p> </p><p><img align="left" src="http://www.roncook-author.com/index_htm_files/11.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 12px 0px 0px;" /><strong><em>On Guard in the General’s Chorus</em></strong></p><p>Korea, 1967 and 1968. The Vietnam conflict was escalating. The cold war was raging. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King had been assassinated. In Korea, the Navy ship USS Pueblo was captured, and over a dozen North Koreans tried to blow up the South Korean president. </p><p>And at Recreation Compound #1, barely two miles from the DMZ, forty touring Army musicians and singers attempted to keep sane through it all. Boo was a dollar a lid. </p><p align="right">Available through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guard-Generals-Chorus-Ron-Cook/dp/0578516403/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KAS2F2QIQSPU&dchild=1&keywords=on+guard+in+the+general%27s+chorus&qid=1605381452&s=books&sprefix=On+Guard+in%2Cstripbooks%2C204&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-guard-in-the-generals-chorus-ron-cook/1138123333?ean=9780578516400">Barnes & Noble</a></p><p> </p><p>And here is the very first book I published:</p><p><img align="left" src="http://www.roncook-author.com/index_htm_files/10.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 12px 0px 0px;" /></p><p><strong><em>The Mountain Dulcimer</em></strong></p><p>This book is a guide for beginning dulcimer players in the joy of playing their instruments. After a short historical section, I explain the modes and how to tune your dulcimer to play in the different major and minor keys. Included are several classic folk songs. These are shown with musical notation showing the melody as well as tablature notation showing the dulcimer notes and/or rhythm. </p><p align="right">Available through <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/ron-cook/the-mountain-dulcimer/ebook/product-1ggj8k8g.html?page=1&pageSize=4">Lulu.com</a></p><p> </p><p>As you can see, I’ve been busy writing for many years. Oh, and…</p><p><strong>One More Thing</strong></p><p>I’m currently working on book 2 of the Charles Blue Paranormal Mysteries. Here’s a peek:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8XtHN5x6K3i-NQzkL0eWoYxMUVw-AGHhK-Xeaap-oUbVoelg2GXc8pTWO5jTJq20MetFSkCCibrxN6RocbimB2Fn-t0fudTOshG7hZadvIAWjMRIYsT9Q0pOGLg0f3On_mpJlCwuzHHp-ISCJyjOC7h28Kscl0FZq-bXL1wfOlEsIWd13Nf5ZZeEVg/s462/22@2x.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="306" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8XtHN5x6K3i-NQzkL0eWoYxMUVw-AGHhK-Xeaap-oUbVoelg2GXc8pTWO5jTJq20MetFSkCCibrxN6RocbimB2Fn-t0fudTOshG7hZadvIAWjMRIYsT9Q0pOGLg0f3On_mpJlCwuzHHp-ISCJyjOC7h28Kscl0FZq-bXL1wfOlEsIWd13Nf5ZZeEVg/w132-h200/22@2x.jpeg" width="132" /></a></div><p><b><i>The Last Family of Wizards</i></b></p><p>In 1990 Charles and Bell have had a month of calm enjoying the comfort of his Santa Cruz home while his San Francisco home is being remodeled after the 1989 earthquake.</p><p>Their calm is short lived when they agree to investigate the flash and disappearance of a young musician. This takes them to the gold rush town of Volcano, an area of mystery and danger.</p><p align="right">A Charles Blue Paranormal Mystery #2 coming in 2023</p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>To keep up on my books, me, and what’s up in the world of writing and publishing, check out my website, <a href="http://www.roncook-author.com/">www.roncook-author.com</a>. </p><p>That’s it in my writing world.</p><p><strong>A Little Other News</strong></p><p>I recently bit the bullet and picked up the new M2 Apple MacBook Air. It’s a lovely computer with a slightly larger screen and a super-fast CPU. It runs hundreds of times better than my older Intel-based MacBook Air. Oh, and thousands of times better than our 7-year-old HP desktop computer. My MacBook Air is my digital writing typewriter.</p><p><strong>In the Studio</strong></p><p>Just a quick note on studio work. I’ve been using up some scrap wood and tagua nuts to make buttons. To check them out, they are on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>.</p><p>I still have a few larger unfinished pieces, like a teardrop dulcimer, a medieval stool, and several turned and carved boxes and lids. Like I mentioned above, I’m just occasionally tinkering in my studio… not spending 4 to 6 hours a day in there anymore. But whenever anything gets finished, you’ll see it on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>.</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-1522120182819143212022-01-25T11:22:00.001-08:002022-01-25T11:22:48.978-08:00Time to Retire<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Fu5W5vIrVjzEln_7TknE1pvWhu33Qjpm"><img title="Dulcimer number one" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Dulcimer number one" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Wvtjkk_EZq3urxEa55xJrKxGM9PE_3RP" width="148" align="right" height="347" /></a>Over fifty years ago, in 1970, I made my first dulcimer. It was a simple solid-body electric dulcimer made from a trashed, cheap Japanese electric guitar. I pulled the frets off the guitars neck to use for dulcimer frets. The electronics, pickup, volume and tone controls, and tuning gears also came from the guitar. The body was a piece of 3/4” plywood, shaped like a standard hourglass dulcimer, and painted white. It worked great, and I even used it on stage when our group, Throckmorton, played a rock version of “Shady Grove”. I still have it hanging on my studio wall.</p> <p>Since then I’ve made over 500 instruments, furniture pieces (medieval and modern), sculptures, and wood turnings. I’ve taught wood carving at Cabrillo College, and I’ve taught wood turning, wood carving, luthiery and general woodworking in my studio and shop for twenty years. For the last twenty-five years, I’ve been restoring antique and vintage stringed instruments. I became the go-to person in North America for zither repairs, both concert style and chord zithers. I’ve restored many dulcimers, ukuleles, guitars, and even autoharps. </p> <p>From 2001 to 2016 I exhibited at craft shows and arts festivals across the country, at one point attending six shows a year. I was juried into many <a href="https://www.craftcouncil.org/marketplaces/attend">American Craft Council shows</a>, starting out in Charlotte, North Carolina, with three years in the ACC flagship show in Baltimore, and too many to count in ACC San Francisco. There was the <a href="https://www.bellevuearts.org/artsfair">Bellevue Art Museum</a> show in Washington state for three years, six or seven years in the <a href="https://scottsdaleartsfestival.org/">Scottsdale Arts Festival</a> in Arizona, and a few years each at the <a href="https://kingsmountainartfair.org/">King’s Mountain Art Fair</a> and the <a href="https://www.sausalitoartfestival.org/#new-page-1">Sausalito Arts Fair</a>.</p> <p>I’m tired. After all that, it’s time for me to retire. Well, about time to retire.</p> <p><strong>New Work</strong></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1QfE8MenTU1dKIZiqZD6S3kRjDgewBFVs"><img title="Mbiras" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Mbiras" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1yn3KVSQzgVMdcrZlJnbqwa9woAv6elWk" width="384" align="right" height="163" /></a>I still have my Etsy shop, and the last two years have been very good. To keep it fresh, I will still make an occasional small instrument, furniture piece, or sculpture. </p> <p>Since December, I’ve made three Mbiras (thumb pianos), two large ones and one mini. Also, one of the Mbiras (left in photo)  is electric with an internal pickup. It also has a volume control knob.</p> <p>The electric one is salvaged cocobolo with a maple sound hole rosette. The mini is purpleheart with maple binding. The one on the right in the photo has a salvaged cocobolo back, wenge (pronounced whengay) sides, and spruce top. The little hammers are for tapping the tines for tuning. These three mbira’s are available on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1580Eo6Tm5iOfy0yqMuVJG1yweKbsLuqL"><img title="Noters" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Noters" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=14prw4qCw-ziRb9kisTpd-LvHi7Gf2b3Y" width="327" align="left" height="223" /></a>At the end of 2021, my stock of dulcimer noters was down to one. This last week I finally started carving some more. These are the newest ones. </p> <p>The one on the left is salvaged cherry. The middle one is salvaged black walnut. The one on the right is salvaged white oak. These are also available on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a>.</p> <p>Be sure to check out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a> for all my original pieces. Shipping is free.</p> <p> </p> <strong>On The Workbench</strong>  <p>I am currently working on my last two restorations, zithers I had promised to do late last year. The concert zither on the left is an Anton Kiendl zither from around 1899. This is the second of two identical Anton Kiendl zithers I’ve restored for the same customer. The chord zither on the right is a Phonoharp Model 2. When I’ve finished restoring it, it will have five chords and fifteen doubled strings. This zither had a very scaly “alligator” surface, large cracks on the back, and the frame was coming apart. I had to remove the back to make all repairs.  <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lAfiTaCj8sF5Z9Q6dpYAz3i402whtvMi"><img title="Fink and Kip Zithers" style="margin: 10px auto 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Fink and Kip Zithers" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NNSIsAl0YHCUvQteVJdFAnm8K4k4dK_n" width="531" height="186" /></a></p> <p>Last November I was commissioned to make a custom dulcimer cane. This is my last commission. Like the last time I was commissioned, I’m making a second one to sell on Etsy. These are numbers 5 and 6.They both have maple bodies with a decorative piece of black walnut on the back. <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1y8qaZI0T-RY935zaDE9HVMGAAQwRzyIJ"><img title="Dulcimer canes" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Dulcimer canes" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jQK1AAcJGvlE2AIK5nzdD8DFFbyCgajO" width="357" align="right" height="214" /></a>The fingerboards, handle, and “foot” are black walnut. </p> <p>My dulcimer canes are based on an 1845 original from Mirecourt, France. The original was a four-string guitar. I adapted the design as a Mountain dulcimer. All the dulcimer canes I’ve made have been very popular. </p> <p>The unfinished dulcimer cane (top in photo) will be available on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a> when completed.</p> <p><strong>And…</strong></p> <p>Retirement doesn’t mean I’m going to sit around and watch television all the time. No, I will be using my time writing more. I’ve actually been a writer since grade school, and when I was working in the private sector, I was a technical writer. I’ve been published in several magazines and trade journals and published four books so far. Lately, I just finished another novel (still in edit mode) and started another. More news about this coming in future blogs.</p> <p>For now, it’s time to finish up these last restorations and instruments then celebrate with a glass of vino!</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-78377771168713275232021-09-24T16:41:00.000-07:002021-09-24T16:41:11.718-07:00Open Studios Art Tour is Back<p>After nearly two years, the <a href="https://santacruzopenstudios.com/">Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour</a> is back! This w<a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1g3CQj0VB3O2WVycp3XD3D1lYYlNqtas2"><img title="Openstudios21 Postcard-4x6-front-72" style="margin: 0px 2px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Openstudios21 Postcard-4x6-front-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rU614kQHPXk-H-bKMD2lLpGTkbIAmehW" width="180" align="right" height="260" /></a>ill be my 20th year opening my studio to the public. I am listed in the Artist Guide as Artist #253 and will be open from 11 to 5 on October 9-10 and 16-17. A preview exhibit is opening at the <a href="https://scal.org/">Santa Cruz Art League</a> on First Friday, October 1.</p> <p>What will be different this year is that my exhibit will be outside only and next to my studio. (Hopefully the rains will hold off!) The Arts Council is also suggesting visitors wear masks when visiting artist’s studios. They have given artists a set of masks to give out if necessary.</p> <p>I have several new pieces to show, and I hope to see you here on the second and third weekends in October.</p> <p>Because there was no Open Studios in 2020, the Arts Council created the <a href="https://visualartsnetworkscc.com/">Visual Arts Network</a>. It is still active online and is a good place to see the works of other Open Studios artists.</p> <p><strong>New Work</strong></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1t5iLmZ_5_oM9G1I5cGzygf0iOQzFZ_w7"><img title="Porter Dulcimer Cane w-stand" style="margin: 5px 4px 0px 3px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Porter Dulcimer Cane w-stand" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KnBKwOxIvp6luRf_C5NJclkGMY0Nhf-F" width="129" align="right" height="260" /></a>A few months ago a customer from Oregon wanted me to build her a dulcimer cane. I had built two of them before, and one sold, but, unfortunately, one was stolen from a gallery showing. My customer had seen the one I sold on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy,</a> and she wanted one similar. She uses a cane, and I asked her how high it was. I built her dulcimer cane to the same height. This one has a maple body with salvaged black walnut handle and fingerboard.<a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GQolh7ZekHhdiiVvcRWWhsEIugpIPpvl"><img title="Porter Dulcimer Cane-head detail2" style="margin: 5px 4px 0px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Porter Dulcimer Cane-head detail2" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1tD6TWSzEGNQkhgW-uRlAxPo-zF8p4X-T" width="199" align="right" height="135" /></a> There is also salvaged ebony for accents. It has a very bright tone.</p> <p>While making this commissioned piece, I decided to make a <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1WhnIGSbMR5Da-uoKk-1NMElmdsr14TeA"><img title="Dulcimer Cane2-72" style="margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Dulcimer Cane2-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rdyPS5XfDqgICJMct9nnu212pI-CtHm4" width="128" align="left" height="260" /></a>second similar one but with a different carving and several inches taller. It is made with the same woods. <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1daSrP0N0NRCA5woQbcXu1SNiIlhiQ-xM"><img title="Dulcimer Cane detail2" style="margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Dulcimer Cane detail2" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ah8oy7kFNERAaHOKSW4FS1JJ5vneDE4_" width="200" align="left" height="144" /></a>I finished it around two weeks after completing the commission and put it up for sale on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a>. </p> <p>That didn’t last long. It was on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a> for barely 10 days and sold. It’s going to a new home in Colorado.</p> <p>Other instruments that have been very popular this last year are the Saxon and Germanic Lyres (Rotes), both full sized and the smaller “mini” sizes. Because of the popularity, I had to make a few more.They are also on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a>.</p> <p>One of the newest instruments I crafted is the Mbira, also known as an African thumb piano. The first one I built sold on Etsy right away, so I made a second. It also sold right away. So, I made another. This one is salvaged mahogany sides and back, salvaged first-growth Douglas fir top, flamed maple binding, and a black walnut and maple soundhole. Like the other Mbiras I made, it has a bright lovely tone. It is available on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">Etsy</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VBoYh9jzheBeAtfRVmnWmbOmOn3v_uxB"><strong><font color="#000000">In the Studio</font></strong></a></p> <p>There are several pieces I’m currently working on. Lately, I’ve been working a little more  on my Ottavina (Octave Spinet). I added some old-style hinges to the key cover and the top. I also made a post for holding the lid up. (Like a <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-wbHNtIZsMwSn0BNQyZWBk1rXNIy3GTc"><img title="Ottavina-open" style="margin: 8px 5px 0px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Ottavina-open" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16sMbgxPBJ-ZQxgV6NMum3qFQ2zFmEedx" width="212" align="right" height="164" /></a>top on a grand <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Qh5QuIin3SosznRUjSf6W9xaqT2IpK3L"><img title="Ottavina-closed" style="margin: 5px 7px 0px 1px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Ottavina-closed" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OuSZwZTXC6IpgINU0V5MI8N3Wef2MJl5" width="214" align="left" height="166" /></a>piano.) The next “big” project is to layout for the strings, then make a rail for the jacks (plectrum) that will pluck the strings. I originally started work on this octave spinet (which is a type of harpsichord) back in the mid to late 1970s. The case I built then was not up to my standards today. I made a new case of black walnut using angled dovetails. The stand is also black walnut.</p> <p>On my workbench are parts for another teardrop-style dulcimer. Once again the woods are salvaged. The top, back, and sides are cocobolo, which is a Central American tree. I’m about ready to carve the head and tailpiece, which are hard maple. <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FsWmsbmlaBCDncDFBOMBWAblD3ZwPEa7"><img title="Cocobolo dulcimer-parts-72" style="margin: 5px 3px 0px 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Cocobolo dulcimer-parts-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zFNqYanp9yqGMNBPElwFpGCbA-CxN3vq" width="260" align="right" height="127" /></a>Once I finish carving, assembly will go fairly quickly. The whole process takes around 20 hours or so over two to three weeks.</p> <p>In addition to my studio, I have a shop in my garage where I have my large power tools, like my table saw, 17 inch band saw, drum sander, spindle sander, and a large belt and disk sander. This is where I work on larger pieces and do antique stringed instrument restorations.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rtg0qXbW9t1RLWufqnenAySlMS7nC34x"><img title="12x12-pipe organ-72" style="margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="12x12-pipe organ-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1eo5DTraWV-Mj9Q6RqWXSKkTvQ1d3MggZ" width="244" align="left" height="188" /></a>A project I’m working on now is a small pipe organ. It’s mostly maple and some black walnut. The pipes are pine and oak.  I hope to have it finished in a couple of weeks so I can enter it in the 12 x 12 (x 12) event at the Cabrillo College Gallery later in October.</p> <p>Recently I was watching a virtual American Woodturners Association Zoom-type broadcast of a woman woodturner who used power carving devices for embellishing turned vessels. One of her power carving tools was a high speed device that seemed to cut through the wood like butter. She swore by it. I had to have one. </p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PKY5e5WBX6e9ZJuvYHtl1_hfBrslkvPI"><img title="New carver-72" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="New carver-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_9P71Vi38mn69YdFMnCMLmUrIZ85fXJG" width="196" align="right" height="239" /></a>After some research, I finally found the carver at an online storefront. As the woman woodturner said, it does cut through wood like butter. My Foredom and Dremel with flex shafts run up to 15,000 rpm. My new Marathon III Micromotor runs over 30,000 rpm allowing me to make highly detailed carvings. What is also nice about the Marathon is the handpiece has a quick change feature. Extremely easy to change bits. No wrenches needed!</p> <p><strong>Restorations</strong></p> <p>Since my last blog, I’ve restored three more zithers. Two were German made concert zithers, and one was a U.S. made chord zither. </p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18LeDNZgDwaW7Krv0wDcdmqTLgWwRDxdt"><img title="Done3-72" style="margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Done3-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1NH0TfILl9R1B8b4s0nFgKrazNTDEUt-H" width="239" align="left" height="155" /></a>This one is a Circa 1900-1910 Job. Bartholomä Concert Zither. Bartholomä has been used as a last name in Germany, especially the Bavarian region, but now is more commonly spelled Bartholomew. Bartholomä is also a small town in the hills east of Stuttgart and southwest from Nurenberg. It’s very possible this zither could have been made in Nurenberg, which was a major center of concert zither manufacturing in the late 1800s to just before WWI. Stuttgart also has had some zither manufacturers but is now an industrial city where Mercedes and Porsches are made. <a href="http://www.roncookstudios.com/index_htm_files/Carol%20Webster-Concert%20Zither.pdf">Read my repair log here.</a></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gRLjISiuFNlhb45_-qP5fnOhRHZwN14l"><img title="Completed-72" style="margin: 5px 5px 10px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Completed-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1iCuVnI1YkZNCrCc63YEIOM8Oy1PkQoiY" width="240" align="left" height="144" /></a>This larger one is a Circa 1903-1917 August Schulz Concert Zither. Because of the size, it was sometimes called an Alpine zither or a harp zither. This fine zither was crafted in Nuremberg, Germany by August Schulz. What I could find from my research was that the workshop was in operation from 1902 to 1917. Operations probably ceased because of World War I. There were actually more August Schulz guitars made than zithers. August Schulz also made lutes. <a href="http://www.roncookstudios.com/index_htm_files/Kathy%20Stoltz%20Harp%20Zither-Repair%20Log.pdf">Read my repair log here.</a></p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1GhK7-dhdobJN2ptQNLC59z2DR2o86-p3"><img title="Completed-72" style="margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Completed-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1mLnSjcCNoyvXO4XA5b39UEFjgRR4DEBv" width="169" align="right" height="246" /></a> <p>This chord zither on the right is a Circa 1900 Home Educational Co. Mandolin Guitar-Harp. Of course, this is not a mandolin or a guitar. It is closer to a harp because it is plucked. </p> <p>Chord zithers, often called Guitar Zithers, were extremely popular from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. Hundreds of thousands were made by several companies, including Friederich Menzenhauer, Oscar Schmidt, and Phonoharp. Phonoharp, of East Boston, Massachusetts, made several different models of chord zither, each one manufactured in the thousands. These were primarily sold in Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs as well as door-to-door. Some Phonoharp models, called Mandolin Guitar-Harps, were distributed by the Home Educational Company of Concord, North Carolina, who applied their own labels inside the instruments.</p> <p>This zither need extensive work to restore it. <a href="http://www.roncookstudios.com/index_htm_files/Craig%20Harrison%20Repair%20Log.pdf">You can read my repair log on my website.</a></p> <p>Do you have a zither or other stringed instrument needing restoration or repair? Is is a family heirloom you want to play and/or save for posterity? If you do, send me an email, along with photos or the instrument (especially problem areas on the instrument), so I can give you a quote on my services. My email  is <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">ron@roncookstudios.com</a>. </p> <p>That’s it for now. Remember, Open Studios is coming up. My studio is open 11-5, October 9-10 and 16-17. See you then!</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-61959363913367120202021-03-18T14:37:00.000-07:002021-03-18T14:37:02.880-07:00One Year Ago…<p><font size="3">We are now one year into our pandemic self-quarantine. It seems incredible that exactly one year ago, my wife and I were in San Diego volunteering for the annual Left Coast Crime book convention and anxiously awaiting the impending excitement of it when notice was posted at the end of the first day that the event was closed and after one last evening of nervously socializing we hurried home to lock ourselves up for the duration. We're doing well and finally got our first "anti-Covid" shot a few weeks ago. We'll have our second one shortly. There have been no arts and crafts shows during this time except for a couple of virtual gallery exhibits at the end of last year. I've been making a lot of sawdust in both my studio and my shop and working on new furniture, instruments, and carvings, and also been working on antique instrument restorations for customers. I've been writing! (I have to use my gallery for <i>something</i>, after all, so I use it for writing.) To read more about what is going on in my little corner of the world, see below.</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">In the News</font></strong></p> <p><b><font size="3">50th Anniversary Dulcimer<img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; float: right; display: inline;" border="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/5de4089d-760a-4a24-82cb-e68cb1d0ced2.jpg" width="218" align="right" height="327" /></font></b></p> <p><font size="3">Fifty years ago I made my first mountain dulcimer. It was a simple coffin-shaped instrument with mechanical gears from a broken guitar. The frets were reclaimed from that same broken guitar. It was coffin shaped because I hadn't yet learned how to steam bend wood for curved sides. The woods I used were cheap mahogany and pine. I played it on stage in one of the bands I was in back then. (Photo below on the left.)</font></p> <p><font size="3">My 50th anniversary dulcimer (photo below on the right) is shaped the same, but with much better wood than my first: nice figured maple. Whereas my first had a simple head stock, this one has a head carving. It also has hand-carved tuning pegs. My first dulcimer had a very sweet sound and my new one sounds even better.</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Symphony #3</font></strong></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="3"><font size="3"><font size="3"><font size="3"><img style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline;" border="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/da2ac3fe-f6d5-4cf5-8102-2a7a634d734c.jpg" width="249" align="left" /><font size="3">This is the third of my popular "Cantigas de Santa Maria" symphonies. It is made of white oak with maple pegs, tangents (button keys), wheel and handle. The soundboard is 100+ year old salvaged first-growth Douglas fir. The tangent ends are black walnut. The bridge is laminated salvaged ziracote. The handle shaft that turns the wheel runs into the box through the wide-open mouth of a character's face that I carved out of a tagua nut. It has two melody strings and two drones.</font></font></font></font></font></font></p> <p><font size="3">Like my other symphonies, this one is also based on an image in the 13th century Spanish illuminated manuscript "Cantigas de Santa Maria" by Alfonso X, which is a series of songs and prayers to Mary profusely illustrated with images of characters playing the instruments of the time. I've made several of the instruments.</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Resonator Dulcimer</font></strong></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="3"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; float: right; display: inline;" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/48307846-c0d8-423e-a8c2-673b1c0f66e5.jpg" width="154" align="right" height="269" /></font>Before I completed my 50th anniversary dulcimer, I finished another I had in the planning stage for several years, a resonator dulcimer. The 5 inch "paint lid" resonator is hand-spun aluminum and has a biscuit bridge similar to the National Guitar style. This one is 28 inches from nut to bridge. The body is several inches longer than my traditional dulcimers and a little thicker. The resonator and the large "box" size give this dulcimer a very interesting and lovely sound.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Restoration of Aug. Richter Zither</font></strong></p> <p><font size="3"><img style="margin: 0px 17px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline;" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/c858d781-97d8-4aa2-a25f-418d64ca55d8.jpg" width="249" align="left" /><font size="3">This year started out with a restoration of a lovely German concert zither that was made sometime in the 1920's by Aug. Richter, who belonged to a family of instrument makers in Munich.</font></font></p> <p><font size="3">The owner purchased this through eBay and got a great deal on it. It had no strings, the metal bridges were lost, and five of the tuning pins were missing. Fortunately, the frame was solid and there were no cracks. I just finished restoring it, and I'm now putting together the repair log, which I'll post on my web site when it's finished.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Qih8o0cIygJaunhdC7cqDFeWCizrS2kW"><img title="Finished2-72" style="float: right; display: inline;" alt="Finished2-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Tz7UdRFLSCOH-JPYoAI3mqQU9OaT5tg_" width="184" align="right" height="240" /></a> <p><strong>Restoration of West German Jubeltone Zither</strong></p> <p>Earlier this month I was sent another Jubeltone chord zither to restore. I restored another identical instrument a couple of years ago. That one I had to totally disassemble because it had cracks on the front and back and some failed glue joints. The one I just finished was in better condition. It did have two shrinkage cracks in the back and some corrosion on the hardware and strings. It was missing only one string, and I was able to salvage all the existing strings. This brand of zither was made in the 1960s before German reunification in 1990. It even has a stamp on the back stating it was made in Western Germany. It might have been made in Munich, which was a zither manufacturing center since the 1880s.</p> <p><strong><font size="3">Etsy</font></strong></p> </font> <p><font size="3">The instruments and folk art pieces I completed in the last twelve months are all on </font><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JnEZPu2x0Y9XaL_gFkhENv8EM2fgIjsRsRQiqGGzjbVFqln8J_xCXJAvzZ_0w6qaTmBmU4ZtL2gkzjZyPNjUl1ak4shhbNKr8VI4_Z8A3oD6lRyWYRnAZ2LIcT7mS-elOvspdkh_5FHJa-v7m6nKOU4wM6sWXDNV&c=PGSnhnXSDHOkDxxE-xTgAOI6hPlYXZukzEgWwuA3AS3vq0AuN5zrvg==&ch=EPZVTpM2zblxv3eKMBPh5lLcowc9RLhmXe81yVC9xLwAFgKvtx_eWA=="><b><font size="3">my Etsy shop</font></b></a><font size="3">. More coming soon.</font></p> </p> <p><font size="3">It's been a good year, and several of my instruments have gone to good homes. I believe people who are sheltered in place have put their time to good use by playing music or learning to play music. </font></p> <p><strong><font size="3">Behind the Scenes<img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 12px; float: right; display: inline;" border="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/3fa4d21f-f821-4fb5-ba32-0bd1e75b6a2c.jpg" width="168" align="right" height="224" /></font></strong></p> <p><font size="3">I took some time out from working on instruments and medieval furniture to build a bookcase for the back of the loveseat sofa in our living room. We've accumulated so many books over the years at mystery book conferences and bookstores. They were stacked by the bed, three deep in our large built-in bedroom bookcases, and stacked in piles in the living room. Now we have much more room for them. It's all black walnut. One side had a large open knot, so I filled it with a turquoise epoxy. It turned out wonderfully. It is so wonderful that my wife wants one, too, for her craft room.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><font size="3">Hot off the Press</font></strong></font></p> <p><font size="3">Besides loving to do woodworking for over 50 years, I've always loved to write and have been writing stories since grade school. I recently published my third book, "On Guard in the General's Chorus." A semi-fictionalized memoir of my time in the army, 1966-1968, primarily during my time in Korea in the entertainment corps.</font></p> <p><font size="3">A little over a year ago, I published "A Young Upstart", a series of poems and stream of consciousness writings, along with some of the hundreds of contour drawings I made in the late 1970s. </font></p> <p><font size="3">"Onward Through the Fog", published several years ago, is a series of short stories and two mystery novelettes, many that I started writing in English classes at San Jose State back in the mid 1980's.</font></p> <p><font size="3">All three books are available at independent bookstores, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JnEZPu2x0Y9XaL_gFkhENv8EM2fgIjsRsRQiqGGzjbVFqln8J_xCXApBc0cO1NB2occajG6_UEujfaSCVCCJ8AkNLMwuvZ3jNrOfKs9Nv27mdJaHZP2yHCuuOb4BismqxM9Dsc8ojbSjckrdA_H3-GuwS45VwKSAQWZE2CaF3ljnQhlZWBxF-z0ROTGc3WlmFwOMQGqJHf8anKlSGWqbKw==&c=PGSnhnXSDHOkDxxE-xTgAOI6hPlYXZukzEgWwuA3AS3vq0AuN5zrvg==&ch=EPZVTpM2zblxv3eKMBPh5lLcowc9RLhmXe81yVC9xLwAFgKvtx_eWA=="><font size="3"><img border="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/9aa53ee2-fe70-4eb1-8d62-f01fb7a50739.jpg" width="173" height="241" /></font></a><font size="3">    </font><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JnEZPu2x0Y9XaL_gFkhENv8EM2fgIjsRsRQiqGGzjbVFqln8J_xCXApBc0cO1NB2oBRs3pND8pQjSSBlouL6JCJyRCOODKu7gif3RAgraM7XbbJKP5UC77tiwTDfASz4me3et07PBx1L06Z058tmNv6Gpm4rguP_UQ-bkvsZjz2e3Q0WbKbM9BgHLlk166f0NFpW6cks9BzOq1fLDX65CGm68YQ-Lu_wHbh_yOetQkSX31gjLVyg90_YXNno9GXcfM_rg5lINHEPCDyv51z3gDPH67FKMpbHNwOUXwBnmbzbe3A1gt0fwUHAOkzoNub7CG00XIwOlyA=&c=PGSnhnXSDHOkDxxE-xTgAOI6hPlYXZukzEgWwuA3AS3vq0AuN5zrvg==&ch=EPZVTpM2zblxv3eKMBPh5lLcowc9RLhmXe81yVC9xLwAFgKvtx_eWA=="><font size="3"><img border="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/03ca5614-3d4b-4c23-847e-f3b04ca26651.jpg" width="163" /></font></a><font size="3">   </font><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JnEZPu2x0Y9XaL_gFkhENv8EM2fgIjsRsRQiqGGzjbVFqln8J_xCXApBc0cO1NB2iQC769gZ0Vvi9s0giP2hTkw6JP4XuazhaUeoryQriH4IVVM_-UEmvuOMDO7HhDTsbaCTJS79JrcN4Rsse-0G2CMlZkSP9g66MNpiNnp7c89sHhgbxMdvqJQdvVFhEuhh46pYOM3x4N42vZAmKkCTH57VnMs4b5xF82XapSbsSFPh_k341Gc_xv9Z5VoKmrM_r3UgnxnRhP7exfg0oTS5tYsWutZZ2t9kdfEc2maZAt5sIScNGySxKCCuq69GSOLFRZbLkDUJvus=&c=PGSnhnXSDHOkDxxE-xTgAOI6hPlYXZukzEgWwuA3AS3vq0AuN5zrvg==&ch=EPZVTpM2zblxv3eKMBPh5lLcowc9RLhmXe81yVC9xLwAFgKvtx_eWA=="><font size="3"><img border="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/0b983e78001/4e8a32f2-31f6-485f-b7c7-7fdeb0375084.jpg" width="168" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">That’s it for now. Later today we’re getting our second Covid-19 shot (ouch). Now two weeks more of sheltering, then we can look forward to getting out a little more (still masked, of course). As I always say, onward through the fog…</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-31562242803042809782020-08-29T12:51:00.001-07:002020-08-29T12:51:40.851-07:00Fired Up<p>Over a week ago we had a very unusual, for our Santa Cruz coastal community, large lightning storm. According to the weather service, we had over 11,000 lightning strikes. This was the remnants of a Pacific hurricane off the Baja Mexican coast. Unfortunately, there was no rain involved, and the storm only produced dry lightning<a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1i_JSMxzy5VaCJXFFHK5V8CD4aqLQKBg4"><img title="Ash-covered Jeep-better" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Ash-covered Jeep-better" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1y5Lf1fkepwXu4xF30mExYUaU4-edGLJH" width="260" align="right" height="200" /></a>. Dry lightning on dry forests and fields. The resulting 7000 fires have now consumed over 1.4 million acres. More than 120,000 people were evacuated in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. At last count, over 500 homes and structures were lost, just in our county. Ash has fallen all over. (Notice my ash-covered Jeep in the photo.) Fortunately, we are far enough away that we were not threatened by the fires. But, added to the fires, we’ve had over five months of Covid-19 sheltering and mask wearing. Back in early July, Santa Cruz partially opened up, but that was short lived. More people tested positive, and things shut down again. Only a few restaurants and wineries with spaced outdoor seating have been able to keep partially open. This 2020 is turning out to be one hell of a year. Now, if we can just get through the Fall election.</p> <p>Sigh… Enough of that…</p> <p>Through it all, I’ve been fortunate to have a lot to do. My woodworking craft is advancing, and I’ve actually had seven Etsy sales, six of them large instruments.</p> <strong>New Work</strong>  <p>A few weeks ago, I finished carving a new dulcimer head and tailpiece for a resonator dulcimer I’d been planning to make before the pandemic locked us down. I purchased a 5 1/2 inch “paint lid” resonator <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xkJiP4EYTW24qlYjjb4USLAxFFIUVoh0"><img title="Reso-dulcimer" style="margin: 6px 0px 0px 4px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Reso-dulcimer" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=179ksmRapOQ7c5lY3jCjoH5ZLeA9hmCKP" width="260" align="right" height="147" /></a>and biscuit bridge from C.B. Gitty, and made a special dulcimer top the resonator would fit in. I just glued the top on, and I’m ready to sand it down and then add the fingerboard. This dulcimer has cocobolo top and back and figured maple sides. The head and tailpiece are walnut, and the fingerboard is maple laminated over pine. I still have binding to do then a lot of sanding.</p> <p>Waiting in the wings is another teardrop dulcimer. This will be a regular dulcimer with no additional bells and whistles…</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rNiEZJ9VrMxPiNoK-hOUsoF452ypssLn"><img title="Symphony-three photos combined" style="margin: 8px 8px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Symphony-three photos combined" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cKAoe0I6UEs82QwmBgsbJs_II607ZxXh" width="287" align="left" height="462" /></a></p> <p>Another instrument I finished recently is my third Symphony. Again, I based this on a 12th century Spanish illuminated manuscript known as “Cantigas de Santa Maria”. This one is cherry, with maple tuning pegs, tangents, and handle. The one thing different with this Symphony is the hand-carved tagua nut head with the wheel handle coming out of his mouth. </p> <p>It’s another lovely sounding instrument that harkens to the early medieval period. Picture monks sitting around chanting their offices in Latin while accompanying themselves on one of these instruments.</p> <p>Before the Symphony, which was first created around the 1100s, was the Organistrum, which took two people to play. This was the first “hurdy gurdy-type instrument” and had a crank that turned a wheel. It predates the pipe organ and was used for the same function: to play notes to help everyone sing their offices in the same key.</p> <p>Lesson time:</p> <p>If you have read (or watched) Ellis Peters’ <em>Brother Cadfael</em>, you might have read or that the Benedictine monks always chant (and pray) during the following offices:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Matins</strong> (during the night, at about 2 a.m.)</li> <li><strong>Lauds</strong> or Dawn Prayer (at dawn, about 5 a.m., but earlier in summer, later in winter) </li> <li><strong>Prime</strong> or Early Morning Prayer (First Hour, approximately 6 a.m.) </li> <li><strong>Terce</strong> or Mid-Morning Prayer (Third Hour, approximately 9 a.m.) </li> <li><strong>Sext</strong> or Midday Prayer (Sixth Hour, approximately 12 noon) </li> <li><strong>None</strong> or Mid-Afternoon Prayer (Ninth Hour, approximately 3 p.m.) </li> <li><strong>Vespers</strong> or Evening Prayer ("at the lighting of the lamps", about 6 p.m.) </li> <li><strong>Compline</strong> or Night Prayer (before retiring, about 7 p.m.)</li> </ul> <p>If you noticed, there was not much time in those days to do other work around the abbey grounds, barely two hours at a time before the bell rings for the next office. </p> <p>End of lesson.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wR0GGLIyTD4PVCzFVn5We4_JZRxSdo-S"><img title="New thumb piano" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="New thumb piano" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1OZsx6szAsorfJmw15g-s1r1AH6hxwkf5" width="235" align="right" height="182" /></a>And now for something completely different. (Not Monty Python!) </p> <p>I just started making a thumb piano, also known as a Mbira or Kalimba. I found a source for the flattened spring steel notes online and decided to order them. Many many years ago I purchased one of these at an arts festival I attended (long before I became a vendor at the same type of art festival), and have always loved the sound. Three years ago my wife went on a bus and cycling tour of Namibia. She brought back to me a primitive, but extremely lovely, hand-made Mbira, which also has a beautiful sound. Both of these inspired me to make one of my own. It is turning out to be quite a fun project.</p> <p>I have the body made, and I’m making a top with a hand-carved quatrefoil sound hole similar to what I use on my psalteries and other instruments. The top and back are from a piece of redwood burl, and the frame is black walnut. All woods are salvaged.</p> <p><strong>Restorations</strong></p> <p>Since I don’t have any current customer instrument restorations, I’ve lately been working on restoring several of my own antique and vintage autoharps and zithers. Sometime later in the year, I’ll be re-opening my Vintage Etsy shop and put these up for sale. So far, I’ve restored three antique Zimmerman autoharps, all from the 1883-1899 time period. All three autoharps were made by Charles F. Zimmermann in his Dolgeville, New York plant.</p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TZ2UZxDhDW9j7uEn2Md5Dy1ZQFrUiOKY"><img title="Z-model 2 34-1" style="margin: 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Z-model 2 34-1" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1gM_keSKUuUHingZkVWY2Rqh4Dks5UgFT" width="260" height="157" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=124sXpIBGTIZ-AwCjcbxtN2Lxzy6GuWCB"><img title="Z-model 73" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Z-model 73" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-aIroHjhmgQqJ4YgU4FvE-bi9dmqZ7q4" width="239" height="157" /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CinBWUq6SnpCx1iFvAwvz_nTpgQeZuE5"><img title="Z-model 2 34-2" style="margin: 8px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Z-model 2 34-2" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lfObGeWQ_ubeY2JEWEu2LlNL2b-AUyFq" width="236" align="left" height="158" /></a> <p>The left and middle photos are both Zimmermann Model 2 3/4 autoharps. They have five chord bars. The left one is the earliest, from around 1885-86. It has a lovely stained natural wood (spruce) top. The middle autoharp is a few years newer (1887-88) and is all black. The top is also spruce, but painted black to match the sides and back. The right autoharp is the very familiar Model 73 with 12 chords. Even though Zimmermann’s Dolgeville Company closed when he died in 1889, the Oscar Schmidt Company restarted autoharp production with this same model. The Oscar Schmidt name is now owned by the Washburn Guitar Company, and Washburn is continuing the production of several Oscar Schmidt branded autoharp models, including the Model 73. This model has been around on and off for 140 years.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1MIiyJ0QFmWUue1agLoAE2E31NbxHd1xm"><img title="Chartola Grand" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Chartola Grand" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XVG-4sfPsefvMeIa0TtNnJSa022XYnfz" width="260" align="right" height="174" /></a>I’m now working on what is known as a “gizmo” harp. The label says it is a Chartola Grand, distributed by the Chartola Grand Company, which is actually made by the Menzenhauer/Schmidt Company and has four chords that have spring-loaded “thumpers” that snap on the chords to play them. This is the before photo. I’ve just started removing the strings and tuning pins. It does have a full set of strings that seem to be in decent condition, so as I remove them I put a piece of tape on them denoting what note and number it is. That way I’ll know exactly where each string goes when I restring the instrument. Also, the zither’s body has no cracks or failed glue joints. Just a nice cleaning and waxing will suffice.</p> <p><strong>Coming Up</strong></p> <p>Because our area received so much ash fallout from the fires, I have to take off my work boots and put on slippers every time I come in the house, and vice versa when I go out so as to keep the house clean. Squatting down to put on and tie my boots is a pain for this aging body. So, I decided to make a low bench to go just outside the door into the garage and my shop. </p> <p>Eight or ten years ago, I acquired quite a bit of wood that came out of a barn in Hollister, California. The woods, several planks of them, are actually lovely pieces of teak, cocobolo, black acacia, and others. Nearly all the wood came from Gavilan College, and some had been sanded and partially finished. I’ve used quite a bit of it on furniture and instruments. What’s left are a few odds and ends that are fine for stools or benches. </p> <p>I’m just getting ready to rip and surface a few pieces for my low bench project.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VqDCQyZVm1r6WoJxtKMYFyQPRmcxKyIP"><img title="Spoons etc" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Spoons etc" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XiDxxTU-dQXxrTTVnLGJsVnxD5Eidjb_" width="260" align="right" height="165" /></a>Out back in my studio, there’s still a lot of work to be done. I have several spoon blanks cut out and started, but I need to take a day or two to just sit down and carve. Several hanging spoon racks are done and need to be filled.</p> <p>And then there’s that dulcimer I mentioned earlier… The top and back are cut out and ready for some sanding. I still have to rip and surface wood for the sides. Eventually…</p> <p>As you can see, I’ve kept busy every day working on one piece after another. I still have quite a large wood stash that’ll probably last the rest of my life.</p> <p>That’s it for now. In a month or two, I’ll give another report from the land of sawdust…</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-6489460562335082112020-07-03T11:55:00.001-07:002020-07-03T11:55:26.837-07:00Working in Place While Sheltering in Place<p>Santa Cruz County has partially (very partially) opened up. That could change at any time if more virus infections are reported. Santa Cruz County is the smallest county in California, but it is also a tourist destination because of the beaches and the Boardwalk Amusement area. Many “unmasked” tourists are here on weekends, spreading their germs on us unsuspecting locals. </p> <p>Okay, off my soapbox. Even though we’re still sheltering in place, we are fortunate that we have plenty to do during this shutdown. My wife knits, weaves, and reads. I spend my days in either my studio out back or in my garage shop. I’ve sold four instruments through Etsy since March when this sheltering started. I had one very unusual zither to restore. I’m working on several new pieces and trying to finish up one older piece.</p> <p><strong><font size="3">New Works</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Va2JCTQXhBkEcQBBf97fL3jAvaqK1vzt"><img title="pa german dulcimer-72" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="pa german dulcimer-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_cW1ycBEhyT9zF-mGRyiINqt0JpNr2U6" width="147" align="right" height="411" /></a>The first instrument I completed during the shutdown is the third of my Pennsylvanian German schietholt-style dulcimers. All that I’ve made are based on an 1845 original I restored many years ago. While restoring it, I drew up working drawings that I’ve used for my reproductions. One of my students made one from my drawings too.</p> <p>This one is olive wood. There was a large olive tree across the street at one time. It was removed, oh, now 15 years ago, when a new beautiful Craftsman-style house was built. The builder asked if I wanted some of the wood, and, of course, I said yes. This instrument is made from some of that wood.</p> <p>The head and tailpiece are salvaged black walnut, and the fingerboard and bridges are maple. </p> <p>The dulcimer tapers slightly, but it’s around 3 inches square and nearly 40 inches long. The long string length give this instrument a loud crisp tone. One thing I did differently on this dulcimer was spacing the double fretted melody strings nearly a 1/4 inch apart, similar to many French epinette des Vosges instruments. This allows the player to actually make chords on the melody strings. It’s a striking sound!</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1qlyCKXZ8j74fvPzgL7VCy6p74ux_fc-T"><img title="Dulcimer Banjo with detail" style="margin: 0px 7px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Dulcimer Banjo with detail" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1vWfAei6Us5rzfpxx-eYmA0xRDfOX1jKh" width="225" align="left" height="260" /></a>I showed this next instrument, a dulcimer banjo, in my last blog as it was nearing completion. It is now done, and does have a very banjo-like sound due to the drum head. </p> <p>Other dulcimer banjos I’ve made in the past had wooden soundboards. This is the first that I’ve used an actual drum head.</p> <p>The rim is oak and black walnut segments that I turned and polished on my lathe. The top and back are highly-figured maple (the back has a black walnut strip down the middle). The neck is hand-carved oak with a black walnut fingerboard. The head carving is tagua nut.</p> <p>The string length is the same I use for most of my regular dulcimers, around 28 inches.</p> <p><strong><font size="3">In Process</font></strong></p> <p>I have several instruments, furniture, and sculptures in process, but several are on the back burner for now. My main project now is another of my popular Symphonies. This is a box-style hurdy gurdy that predates those we are familiar with now. The Symphony is a medieval instrument that dates back to the 11th century.</p> <p>As you can see from the photos, the box is complete and assembled using hand-cut dovetails. I turned the wheel on my lathe, which I also did for the tuning pegs. After turning the tuning pegs, I carved the heads then “sharpened” the tapers with a violin peg shaper to fit the tapered holes in the head piece.</p> <p>Where the wheel rod comes out the back, I carved a tagua nut into an open-mouthed character so the rod would go through his mouth. The far right photo is the lid being prepared to be carved with my fret saw.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XTxGZW7t9jmCuhNVds7Gy4nm3fmhHBSW"><img title="symphony 3 photos in process" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="symphony 3 photos in process" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1dZzPY6_a5-zhWgag9aJ9PXwvOnPA6d-l" width="791" height="193" /></a></p> <p>This, as well as other Symphonies I’ve made, are based on a 13th century Spanish illuminated manuscript called Cantigas de Santa Maria. The many illustrations in this ancient manuscript show musicians playing the instruments of that time. Even though the characters look almost like cartoons, the instruments are fairly accurate. One image shows two characters playing Symphonies. One has a very lovely carved cover, which is the one I replicate with each of my Symphonies. I hope to complete this one in July.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1cCD-kkkGjLnHgziqE0RMviDOt1V56mne"><img title="New trestle stool" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="New trestle stool" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=16Pff4oTGuTlaOsixKwzK8SrfvRtpwqAo" width="369" align="right" height="282" /></a>The one piece of furniture I’m currently working on is another trestle stool. As with my others, this is based on a piece that is on exhibit at the Victorian & Albert Museum in London. I am in the very long process of carving all the pieces that make up the stool.</p> <p>As with all the trestle stools I’ve made, it is white oak. I always use white oak because it is similar to fresh English oak. Of course, old English oak furniture is very dark due to the chemical process known as fuming. Old oak that has been sat on for hundreds of years gets darker and darker from human use, usually from unwashed bodies and sweat. Some artists who want the darker look of old oak will fume the oak in an enclosed bag with ammonia. I keep mine looking new.</p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Restorations</strong></font></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uuELKCFbGmV1Ncp5ICwayuSCG_LXSM5u"><img title="Heath Completed1-72" style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Heath Completed1-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12yozCohjSyiqFvOqIT_HicWGP8-HbYxT" width="247" align="left" height="323" /></a>I just completed restoring a very unique zither from around 1894-1904. It is called a Harp Guitar, and it’s made by the Harp Guitar Mfg. Co. of Boston. </p> <p>What’s unique about this instrument is that has two layers of strings. The top layer is 21 diatonically tuned melody strings. The bottom layer is 20 chord strings, five chords with four strings each. The bottom layer of strings run through holes at both ends of the zither.</p> <p>Notice the wide bridge under the sound hole. That bridge has two rows of holes in it. This was for what the manufacturer called Fret Bars. These were actually sharping levers that turned against a string raising the voicing a 1/2 tone. Unfortunately, these were lost many years ago.</p> <p>The rosette and chord note decals were in very bad shape. I replicated new decals on my computer and printed them on special decal paper. It was a long process, but the result turned out great.</p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1nfdmFQvuTek8qBlV2bqlkH73s2WFXUaJ"><img title="Banjo Uke-mine" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Banjo Uke-mine" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1djztA1zIYNJMzzL_e-31cesddpg69Shw" width="260" align="right" height="200" /></a>Another restoration I’m working on is a personal one. It is a banjo ukulele from the 1920s or 1930s (there is no date or makers mark on it). This was given to me nearly 35 years ago by my wife’s brother.</p> <p>It was in bad shape, and the goatskin drumhead had deteriorated too much to be playable. I ordered a new drumhead, which I’ve still got to mount, and I’m about to start cleaning all the parts and do some refretting on the neck. There are no tuning pegs left, but I have a new set of banjo pegs I can use.</p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Something New</strong></font></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jmdCaC2OOidCcilPaextYJBfMl7lmf9K"><img title="New spindle sander" style="margin: 0px 9px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="New spindle sander" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rwoIcHvA75Qh48Bz1i0Y92YldDbZPrv9" width="188" align="left" height="244" /></a>My studio, where I’ve always done most of my work, is in the back yard. My garage shop has my big tools, and I now do all my restoration work in there. One tool I use in my studio the most is my old Craftsman spindle sander. I kept needing to use it while in my garage shop and got tired of traipsing back and forth. </p> <p>So… I did a little research and found this Wen spindle sander. I had good reviews, and I found out that a higher-end company called ShopFox offered the same sander, but for a much higher price. The Wen was a bargain, and arrived on my doorstep two days after ordering. </p> <p>It’s already been getting a lot of use. Fortunately, it uses the same sanding sleeves as my old Craftsman spindle sander. I have a good stock of sanding sleeves.</p> <p><font size="3"><strong>Just One More Thing</strong></font></p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JMCy347_QfrvrXkXhtvBrR3_bpenKN4J"><img title="Front Cover-72-better" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Front Cover-72-better" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11kR2dYKEOAs0EX7I8LNfnN8wm1WdwRkD" width="192" align="right" height="260" /></a> <p>My newest book just got published. On Guard in the General’s Chorus is a chronicle of my episodes in the Army and as an entertainer in Korea during the Vietnam era. It takes place from 1966 to the end of 1968. It’s currently available on Lulu.com, and soon to be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Look for it!</p> <p>Well, that’s about it for this Blog. I’m about to start on a couple more dulcimers, and I’ll report on them in my next Blog.</p> <p>As I always say, “Onward Through the Fog”.</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-8339363059020714332020-06-30T13:22:00.001-07:002020-06-30T13:22:50.407-07:00Hunkered Down<p><font color="#000000">What a long strange trip…</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">It’s “shelter in place” time. For us, we self-quarantined early because by the time the order came down, we were in San Diego for the Left Coast Crime Mystery Book Conference along with over 300 people from all over the country crowded in hallways and conference rooms. The conference was shut down at the end of the first day. So, we sped back, making record time through L.A. because of no traffic and hunkered down on a 14-day wait-and-see. No symptoms, thank goodness. We are doing fine, and I am spending a lot of time in </font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1DboD6lADZsJH67zRR5JPV2ey-D0_v7Cn"><font color="#000000"><img title="Finished-72" style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Finished-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12mLN8os62Sfd_pR_yTm-Aw_waPCBLySM" width="189" align="right" height="260" /></font></a><font color="#000000">my studio and shop. I have quite a stash of wood, enough for several instruments and furniture. My wife has a huge stash of yarn, so she also keeps busy knitting and weaving.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Anyway, first of all, my main project was to complete the restoration of a customer’s zither. This wasn’t a typical chord zither. It was a Celestaphone from around 1915-1920. The Celestaphone was an early version of the Marxophone. However, the hammer mechanism that a player would push to strike the strings is missing. I keep hoping to find another Celestaphone on Ebay or other auction web sites. One did show up on Ebay earlier this year, but the auction price went too high. The restoration is done, but I can’t ship it yet due to the shelter in place order. In the meantime, I’ll keep looking out for another Celestaphone I can use for parts.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">During the last four months I’ve been busy creating several new instruments. I made two </font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1XVIKR5UZylXMtKqP20j9BO6ceZ1DnIaZ"><font color="#000000"><img title="Applewood MiniRote-72" style="margin: 8px 12px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Applewood MiniRote-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1I77C0aKAXLK2YpOFAidMBgseO2oc0V8Q" width="200" align="left" height="260" /></font></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SOrn7g8_wVDUx1e4tMOxl_eMmkyS0fdw"><font color="#000000"><img title="Cocobolo Minirote-72" style="margin: 7px 12px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Cocobolo Minirote-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Q0jAVfueQqBNa4oT4N0TaJW_sqccJgPx" width="200" align="left" height="260" /></font></a><font color="#000000">new mini Saxon lyres back in December. The first has a lovely applewood top fastened to a black walnut body. The second one has a beautiful cocobolo top and back. Both have carved maple bridges and tailpieces. To read more about these lyres (and purchase), check out my </font><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Etsy shop</font></a><font color="#000000">.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Earlier this year I completed another full-sized hog-nose psaltery. I’ve made several of these over the years, and they all sold. One even went to a monastery in Switzerland.</font></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O833HG8Yj9fzthHfj2PWwrv2b7Yd7gLn"><font color="#000000"><img title="Memling 5-Front-72" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Memling 5-Front-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1FKWKJup6j0Q44012oQkwspBMevjXUrkS" width="260" align="right" height="260" /></font></a><font color="#000000">My new one has a top and back of camphor. The frame is white oak, and the rosettes are black walnut and maple. It is steel strung and has three octaves. The tone is very bright and beautiful. It is also available on my </font><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Etsy shop</font></a><font color="#000000">.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Not long after completing the hog-nose psaltery, I also finished my newest mountain dulcimer. The body is all salvaged purpleheart. The carved head, tailpiece, sound holes and binding are maple, and the fingerboard is pine with an oak fretboard.</font></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10xcpnB-rQpHKslTdqY8iKt7M9Evv8iFh"><font color="#000000"><img title="Purpleheart-72" style="margin: 2px 13px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Purpleheart-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1a7B8ydDWXERk7TnjJrmsLxyjGGcHf4L_" width="123" align="left" height="260" /></font></a><font color="#000000">The thin hourglass shape is in the style of the 1925 J. Edward Thomas dulcimer I saw in the Smithsonian Museum. J. Edward Thomas made dulcimers in Kentucky from the late 1800s up to his death in 1933. He made over 1500 dulcimers. When he first started selling his instruments in the hills and hollers of Kentucky, he delivered them in a wheelbarrow, selling them for three dollars each. Surviving instruments are in the Smithsonian, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and in museums and homes around Berea, Kentucky.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000">These four instruments were all completed before we all had to shelter in place. Now that we’re stuck at home, I’ve been continuing work on other projects.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">One project that has been going on for, oh, around 40+ years, is my</font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HNY6X4FT7YWs2pbmJA9jiggVIU2neAX6"><font color="#000000"><img title="Ottavina-72" style="margin: 8px 0px 0px 6px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Ottavina-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1wkTTAZXYgNktIbA3w0zjkKgLk2K-vpPo" width="260" align="right" height="200" /></font></a><font color="#000000"> Ottavina. An Ottavina is also called an Octave Spinet. It is a small harpsichord that is based on one in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. When I first started working on this I used wood that wasn't that good, and I was still learning cabinet building skills. When I pulled it out of my storage last year, I decided to scrap it and start over. I used nicely figured black walnut for the case and joined the sides with dovetails. I made a new, weighted, keyboard and a new soundboard. It’s looking beautiful. I’m now about ready to lay out for the strings and harpsichord jacks. Hopefully, I can finally finish it this year.</font></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TdrQ1zHjfcnzvIITER6qS4mNbKMyHmP4"><img title="Dulcimer-Banjo-72b" style="margin: 3px 14px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Dulcimer-Banjo-72b" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZUDUUNGNCX48Cbb8Fnh1GlugocUh7e50" width="260" align="left" height="139" /></a><font color="#000000">Now, my next instrument is another experiment in dulcimer construction. I am making a “banjo-dulcimer”. The body is </font><font color="#000000">segmented oak and black walnut, with a maple and black walnut back and top. The top is hollowed to fit a six inch banjo-style drum head. The long hand-carved neck is set up for a 28.5 inch scale length. It will have six doubled strings, with the low bass drone doubled with a thinner string tuned an octave higher, similar to a 12 string guitar.</font></p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HsEEMKlE-7EvYwiVAWq9WsHefCGI9Nsw"><img title="Cabrillo Class-work1-72" style="margin: 3px 0px 0px 9px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="Cabrillo Class-work1-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=13ogEBGEYtY93uqFXvGBBRCi-YJTwSo2z" width="200" align="right" height="260" /></a><font color="#000000">Back in February I gave two wood carving classes at Cabrillo College. I was originally scheduled for only one Extension class, but was told I had over a dozen people on the wait list. Cabrillo asked if I would like to do two classes over two weekends in a row, and I agreed. I had two full classes (10 people in each) that went quite well. I had students of all ages, and several were very talented even though they had never carved before.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In October of last year, I was asked to display a few of my pieces in the Bottle Jack Winery tasting room. Their new tasting room is housed in what used to be a photography studio and one wall was set up with lights for t</font><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lIzBuxK2yk3Dngl31zdanpn_VMAFNkU_"><font color="#000000"><img title="BottleJack Wall-72" style="margin: 6px 12px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" border="0" alt="BottleJack Wall-72" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=17GduT7VLqb24t567wbHY99SRlARVSDf-" width="260" align="left" height="174" /></font></a><font color="#000000">he photographer to</font> <font color="#000000">display </font><font color="#000000">his photos. Now that wall is my exhibit space. I got some very nice comments from winery customers, and I did sell one small piece. I was supposed to take it down in March, but the shelter-in-place happened and the tasting room is closed. I’m hoping to arrange with the winery owner soon to let me in to remove my pieces.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Not knowing how long we’ll be hunkered down makes it hard to plan ahead for events, like the Santa Cruz County Open Studios, which happens in October. However, it is now time to apply,and I hope things are up and running by October. I’ll keep you all posted through my blog and newsletter.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Well, it’s about time to head out to my shop and studio. I want to finish up my current projects and start on some new ones. I have plans for some medieval and early American furniture as well as a few more instruments. I want to keep busy during these weeks of sheltering. As I always say, “Onward Through The Fog”!</font></p> <p> </p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HsEEMKlE-7EvYwiVAWq9WsHefCGI9Nsw"> <br /></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1HsEEMKlE-7EvYwiVAWq9WsHefCGI9Nsw"> <br /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1TdrQ1zHjfcnzvIITER6qS4mNbKMyHmP4"> <br /></a></p> <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O833HG8Yj9fzthHfj2PWwrv2b7Yd7gLn"> <br /></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SOrn7g8_wVDUx1e4tMOxl_eMmkyS0fdw"> <br /></a> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1SOrn7g8_wVDUx1e4tMOxl_eMmkyS0fdw"> <br /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=163Tfw-O6R8-POmesfcOs4XphDwV4sQKN"> <br /></a></p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-43460327858231080702020-04-20T11:11:00.002-07:002020-04-20T11:11:28.870-07:00Hunkering Down!<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?tab=wj&blogID=6281753474320158514" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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What a long strange trip...</div>
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It's "shelter in place" time. For us, we self-quarantined early because by the time the order came down, we were in San Diego for the Left Coast Crime Mystery Book Conference along with over 300 people from all over the country crowded in hallways and conference rooms. The conference was shut down at the end of the first day. So, we sped back, making record time through L.A. because of no traffic and hunkered down on a 14-day wait-and-see. No symptoms, thank goodness. We are doing fine, and I am spending a lot of time in my studio and shop. I have quite a stash of wood, enough for several instruments and furniture. My wife has a huge stash of yarn, so she also keeps busy knitting and weaving.</div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">M</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">y main project , just before we were ordered to shelter in place, was to complete the restoration of a customer's zither. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Thi</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">s wasn't a typical chord zither. It was a Celestaphone from around 1915-1920. </span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Celestaphone was an early version of the Marxophone. However, the hammer mechanism that a player would push to strike th</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">e strings is missing. The early 20th century Sears catalog advertisement for the Celestaphone, below right, shows what it should look like.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">I keep hoping to find another Celestaphone on Ebay or other auction web sites. One did show up on Ebay earlier this year, but the auction price went too high. The restoration is done, but I can't ship it yet due to the shelter in place order. In the meantime, I'll keep looking out for another Celestaphone I can use for parts.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">During the last four months I've been busy creating several new </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">instruments. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">I made two </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">new mini Saxon lyres back in December. The first has a lovely applewood top fastened to a black walnut body. The second one has a beautiful cocobolo top and back. Both have carved maple bridges and tailpieces. To read more a</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">bout these lyres (and purchase using credit card or PayPal), check out my </span><a _mce_href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: black !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Etsy shop</a><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><br />
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span _mce_style="text-align: left; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Earlier this year I completed another full-sized hog-nose psaltery. I've made several of these over the years, and they all sold. One even w</span><span _mce_style="text-align: left; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">ent to a monastery in Switzerland.</span></span></div>
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My new one has a top and back of camphor. The frame is white oak, and the rosettes are black walnut and maple. It is steel strung and has three octaves. The tone is very bright and beautiful. It is also available on my <a _mce_href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: black !important;" target="_blank" track="on">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Not long after completing the hog-nose psaltery, I also finished my newest mountain dulcimer. The body is all salvaged purpleheart. The carved head, tailpiece, sound holes and binding are maple, and the fingerboard is pine with a</span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">n oak fretboard.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">The thin hourglass shape is in the style of the 1925 J. Edward Thomas dulcimer I saw in the Smithsonian Museum. J. Edward Thomas made dulcimers in Kentucky from the late 1800s up to his death in 1933. He made over 1500 dulcimers. When he first started selling his instruments in the hills and hollers of Kentucky, he delivered them in a wheelbarrow, selling them for three dollars each. Surviving instruments are in the Smithsonian, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and in museums and homes around Berea, Kentucky.</span></div>
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These four instruments were all completed before we all had to shelter in place. Now that we're stuck at home, I've been continuing work on other projects.</div>
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One project that has been going on for, oh, around 40+ years, is my Ottavina. An Ottavina is also called an Octave Spinet. It is a small harpsichord that is based on one in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. When I first started working on this I used wood that wasn't that good, and I was still learning cabinet building skills. </div>
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When I pulled it out of my storage last year, I decided to scrap it and start over. I used nicely figured black walnut for the case and joined the sides with dovetails. I made a new, weighted, keyboard and a new soundboard. It's looking beautiful. I'm now about ready to lay out for the strings and harpsichord jacks. Hopefully, I can finally finish it this year.</div>
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Now, my next instrument is another experiment in dulcimer construction. I am making a "banjo-dulcimer". The body is segmented oak and black walnut, with a maple and black walnut back and top. The top is hollowed to fit a six inch banjo-style drum head. The long hand-carved neck is set up for a 28.5 inch scale length. It will have six doubled strings, with the low bass drone doubled with a thinner string tuned an octave higher, similar to a 12 string guitar.</div>
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This instrument is now in the finishing stages. The tung oil varnish I use is drying, and soon I'll be polishing it up, make the bridge, and string it up. </div>
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<span _mce_style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><strong>roncook Etsy shop</strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: black;">My Etsy shop is popular all over the world! I have been "favorited" by people as far away as Latvia and China. Sales have gone to Canada, Switzerland, and Italy, as well as all over the U.S. Here's how to reach my shop: <a _mce_href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" _mce_shape="rect" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" shape="rect">https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook</a>. You may set up a free account on Etsy to preview and purchase any other items offered for sale.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><strong>New Students</strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: black;">If you are interested in learning how to carve, learning general woodworking skills, or learning about the history and construction of early European (medieval) or early American (19th century) stringed instruments, please contact me at<strong> </strong> <a _mce_href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com" _mce_shape="rect" href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com" shape="rect">ron@roncookstudios.com</a>. During the instrument course, the student will learn about the evolution of stringed instruments, research a particular instrument, create working drawings, and build it. Open to all, especially interested high school and college students. All students choose wood from my wood stash! <a _mce_href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com" linktype="2" shape="rect" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank">E-mail me for more information</a><strong>. </strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="color: black;"><strong>(Because of the Covid-19 shelter in place rules, current classes are on hold.)</strong></span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Back in February I gave two wood carving classes at Cabrillo College. I was originally scheduled for only one Extension class, but was told I had over a dozen people on the wait list. Cabrillo asked if I would be interested in adding a second weekend workshop, and I agreed to it. I had two full classes (10 people in each), two weekends in a row, that went quite well. I had students of all ages, and several were very talented even though they had never carved before.</span><br />
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Unfortunately, my May wood carving class has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 closure of schools. I'm hoping new classes will be available later in the year. </span><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">Information, when available will be available through the</span><a _mce_href="http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/" _mce_shape="rect" _mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/" linktype="1" shape="rect" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) !important;" target="_blank" track="on"> Cabrillo College Extension</a><span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
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<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the second half of last year, I was asked to display a few of my pieces in the Bottle Jack Winery tasting room. Their new tasting room is housed in what used to be a photography studio and one wall was set up with lights for the photographer to display his photos. </span></div>
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Now that wall is my exhibit space. I got some very nice comments from winery customers, and I did sell one small piece. I was supposed to take it down in March, but the shelter-in-place happened and the tasting room is closed. I'm hoping to arrange with the winery owner soon to let me in to remove my pieces.</div>
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Not knowing how long we'll be hunkered down makes it hard to plan ahead for events, like the Santa Cruz County Open Studios, which happens in October. However, it is now time to apply,and I hope things are up and running by October. I'll keep you all posted through my blog and newsletter.</div>
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Well, it's about time to head out to my shop and studio. I want to finish up my current projects and start on some new ones. I have plans for some medieval and early American furniture as well as a few more instruments. I want to keep busy during these weeks of sheltering. As I always say, "Onward Through The Fog"!</div>
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Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-12300898553402948472019-02-25T12:34:00.001-08:002019-02-25T12:34:55.870-08:00Onward into 2019Snow in the hills above Santa Cruz? Yes, it has been cold and wet, and the snow level dropped to under 500 feet. Most of it was just a dusting, but the higher elevations are still coated. More rain/snow on the way…<br />
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Since I’m not doing craft shows and art festivals anymore, most of my work is on my Etsy shop (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">www.etsy.com/shop/roncook</a>). I am still doing the annual Santa Cruz County Open Studios event the first weekends in October, which is where my larger pieces are exhibited. Hopefully, a couple of my new “larger” works will be completed by then.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvQa0j54LNM/XHROBFEg2HI/AAAAAAAANkM/yFD-eQkTGRgs8WBudC7Rgdp9R8G4V0fnACEwYBhgL/s1600/Bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="466" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvQa0j54LNM/XHROBFEg2HI/AAAAAAAANkM/yFD-eQkTGRgs8WBudC7Rgdp9R8G4V0fnACEwYBhgL/s320/Bench.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Several years ago I got a call from a fellow in Hollister, California, who had a barn full of wood, much of it stored, or rather left, by a local college. He didn’t want money for it. He just wanted it out of his way and gave it all away. I came away with a lot of slabs and lumber. Little by little, I’ve been using it up over the years. Recently, I’ve been using a slab on the following live-edge black acacia and walnut bench I’m half done with.<br />
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I turned the seven walnut posts out of salvaged black walnut and cherry. The base, legs and stretchers, will be all black walnut.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5n7nprTXzBk/XHROMFBDUBI/AAAAAAAANkE/j2Ui1w8byQAqLIVIpxbf33upCZm7XYKZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ottavina%2Bwith%2Bkeys%2Betc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5n7nprTXzBk/XHROMFBDUBI/AAAAAAAANkE/j2Ui1w8byQAqLIVIpxbf33upCZm7XYKZQCEwYBhgL/s200/Ottavina%2Bwith%2Bkeys%2Betc.jpg" width="200" /></a>This next piece isn’t really a new one. I actually started this Ottavina, also known as an octave spinet, back in 1977-78. That was too early in my wood artist career to attempt something of this complexity, so it sat… and sat… and sat, until the original case got damaged some 20 years later. So now, I’ve built a new case out of black walnut, complete with dovetail joints, and plan to finish my 40 year project this year.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cg4MmJWneU/XHROLWibxFI/AAAAAAAANkQ/gW03pqVMZJg3Y1SJmbt23iOUYjvw5PvlQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ottavina%2Bon%2Bstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="333" height="172" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cg4MmJWneU/XHROLWibxFI/AAAAAAAANkQ/gW03pqVMZJg3Y1SJmbt23iOUYjvw5PvlQCEwYBhgL/s200/Ottavina%2Bon%2Bstand.jpg" width="200" /></a>I made the stand back in 1978. It is the first wood turning project I attempted with an inexpensive lathe I purchased the year before. I was very pleased with the results, and I’ve kept the stand in storage since then. Now, it will finally be used!<br />
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I’ve made a few harps through the years. Most have been small lap harps in the medieval style, but I decided I should concentrate more on the board zither styles like mountain dulcimers and their European ancestors, which is what I’ve been making since 1972.<br />
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I made my last lap harp nearly 10 years ago, but after several years I had a problem with the body style I used, and set it aside for a while. Finally, when a customer asked about the “horsehead” harp, I decided to make a better body for it. This is the result.<br />
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The body is now all vertical grain figured maple with cherry binding. It has a light, sweet tone, and is three octaves.<br />
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The year has started out with three gallery shows. The first actually started last December, but ran into January. It’s over now, but I was pleased to have had my medieval trestle stool exhibited at the <a href="https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/">Wharton Esherick Museum</a> in Malvern, Pennsylvania. (You can see the stool in my last Blog.)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bh7YV8ezjk/XHROMW6Z6VI/AAAAAAAANkU/UgcgXkYJa8cYP3ryc1RKVS6bCvxOMCWEQCEwYBhgL/s1600/SCAL-member%2Bshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bh7YV8ezjk/XHROMW6Z6VI/AAAAAAAANkU/UgcgXkYJa8cYP3ryc1RKVS6bCvxOMCWEQCEwYBhgL/s200/SCAL-member%2Bshow.jpg" width="166" /></a>The second: This time of year at the Santa Cruz Art League is one of the members’ shows. I’m exhibiting my newest medieval wing psaltery. I completed this psaltery right after the first of the year.<a href="file:///C:/Users/ron/AppData/Local/Temp/OpenLiveWriter-274329463/supfiles14893D26/SCAL-member%20show.jpg"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFQZxptu_Xo/XHROLZF3l1I/AAAAAAAANkQ/j6nx7SRWFYEKlVCaOinc9-56kKWEdF8owCEwYBhgL/s1600/Hearts%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BArts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFQZxptu_Xo/XHROLZF3l1I/AAAAAAAANkQ/j6nx7SRWFYEKlVCaOinc9-56kKWEdF8owCEwYBhgL/s200/Hearts%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BArts.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFQZxptu_Xo/XHROLZF3l1I/AAAAAAAANkQ/j6nx7SRWFYEKlVCaOinc9-56kKWEdF8owCEwYBhgL/s1600/Hearts%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BArts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a>The third: Also this time of year is the annual “Hearts for the Arts” fundraiser for the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County, benefiting arts education. I created a special salvaged walnut and maple hand-carve wall hanging with inlayed turquoise coloring.<br />
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Well, it’s time to go batten down the hatches. A<br />
nother big storm is coming in tonight and is to last for several days.<br />
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Onward through the fog…<br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-52600124468220229782018-09-15T12:40:00.000-07:002018-09-15T12:40:58.111-07:00Open Studios 2018<p>It’s that time of year again. Cold season? (Yes, I am almost over a cold.) No, it’s Open Studios season. Time to start planning your tour.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-567S08kmx2g/W51gJ0rtj9I/AAAAAAAAJx4/3MjZ3SZplm8-rCUd2eqlhCzj7G6tpuKDQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Open%2BStudios%2BImage%255B4%255D"><img width="254" height="260" title="Open Studios Image" align="right" style="margin: 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Open Studios Image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eh-8ERka_7o/W51gKhmCw0I/AAAAAAAAJx8/iz6y7yGqdkEjIgoVtCChfOIRjh0B9EcRgCHMYCw/Open%2BStudios%2BImage_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The <a href="https://santacruzopenstudios.com/guides/" target="_blank">free guide and map</a> is now available at many locations throughout Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties. It will also be included in the Good Times entertainment newspaper. A free app (or upgrade if you have installed the app before) will be available October 1st through the Apple App Store or Google Play. I am artist number 259 in the Guide and App.</p><p>For people visiting from out of town, make it a weekend (or three)! The Arts Council of Santa Cruz County, as they say on their web site”, …partnered with <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cnO3tDKklnw/W51gLDNY1RI/AAAAAAAAJyA/FLIGmvhH78YRbJpWEhO4bNcQXRsXQGz-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Openstudios18%2BPostcard%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="224" title="Openstudios18 Postcard" align="left" style="margin: 7px 10px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Openstudios18 Postcard" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyUjSCKiIKY/W51gLyNZvaI/AAAAAAAAJyE/L67lRiXKej4lMtIYzTmsSfIbi7Pr6sbIQCHMYCw/Openstudios18%2BPostcard_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Hotel Paradox to bring an artful lodging experience to your Open Studios adventure. Request the "Arts Council" rate and save 15%. <a href="http://hotelparadox.com/">Reserve online</a> using promo code 13701 or call 877-425-7100. You can also email <a>ann@artscouncilsc.org</a> to request a guide be shipped to you.” </p><p>Open Studios runs the first three weekends in October. South County is first this year on October 6 and 7. North County (me) is next on October 13 and 14. (The Artist Guide and Maps show locations.) The Encore Weekend is the entire county, and many studios will be open October 20 and 21.</p><p>The best way to plan your tour is to first visit the <a href="https://scal.org/">Santa Cruz Art League</a> to see the Open Studios Preview Exhibit. Work from nearly all Open Studios artists will be on display September 29 through October 21. Meet the artists at a reception at the Art League on September 30th from 3 to 6pm.</p><p><strong>New Work</strong></p><p>Here’s a sampling of new work that you will see when you visit me during Open Studios. (Or other times by appointment.)</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SU1a4S00cMA/W51gMUvRbMI/AAAAAAAAJyI/xSdfc6y0wGEITp15pBYT79Maof_hPllPgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Three%2BPsalteries%255B6%255D"><img width="569" height="249" title="Three Psalteries" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Three Psalteries" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QaBvBgTo8Tk/W51gMwqzmqI/AAAAAAAAJyM/rt4IzRNY5wUz1aDHC7vTzYiFBhTL2qVwwCHMYCw/Three%2BPsalteries_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>These are three new medieval-style psalteries I recently completed. The first is the very popular “Cantigas de Santa Maria Psaltery”. I’ve sold all I’ve made and wanted another available for Open Studios. It is maple and black walnut. The middle instrument is a wing-style psaltery, based on an image in a medieval illuminated manuscript. The last photo is a smaller version of the popular “hog-nose” psaltery.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T4z_mXIeFFw/W51gNn5kIlI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/zLts5CpeYNcVh1wGsv46k-bs8zL4OiXagCHMYCw/s1600-h/Live-edge%2Bvessel1%255B6%255D"><img width="316" height="177" title="Live-edge vessel1" align="left" style="margin: 2px 10px 2px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Live-edge vessel1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QOC_bdqSc9M/W51gOFGiEpI/AAAAAAAAJyU/bMSrBGCBZzgJacvgkCK_V3RIbFVcL3DLQCHMYCw/Live-edge%2Bvessel1_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>I’m still working on quite a few sculptures, and just finished this lidded vessel sculpture. This is a salvaged piece of black walnut that was removed from a much larger piece. When sawing through the larger piece to remove this “lump”, I hit a rock that was embedded in the original tree the walnut came from. One very dull saw later, I was able to pull this piece off. The shape intrigued me, so I carved it into this vessel and reinserted the rock. The lid is also black walnut and has a tagua nut handle. The voids in the piece are filled with a turquoise-colored epoxy called Inlace.</p><p><strong>News</strong></p><p>I was excited around six weeks ago by an email I received from the <a href="https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/">Wharton Esherick Museum</a> in Malvern, Pennsylvania.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rfsQ7eb3Hb0/W51gOhfW5yI/AAAAAAAAJyY/cvkLF50w0dQV0D2tCcfmzL8ZRkEHz8BKQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Trestle%2BStool%2B1%255B6%255D"><img width="312" height="231" title="Trestle Stool 1" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Trestle Stool 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_zjB5yyf15Y/W51gPHO_tGI/AAAAAAAAJyc/R4l57mW96ioufzQG-45iUr4J6dlCe2j-ACHMYCw/Trestle%2BStool%2B1_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>One of my pieces was accepted in the annual woodworking show at the museum. This year’s theme is “Stools”, and my “Medieval Trestle Stool” was chosen from around 200 applications. Only 18 stools are in the show. I feel very fortunate to be in this show at this location. (This is actually my second acceptance for this annual show.)</p><p>For those not familiar with Wharton Esherick, <a href="https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/about/">here is a link to the museum web site with a description of the great woodworker</a> and designer.</p><p>Well, that’s about it for now. I hope to see you all at the Santa Cruz Art League for the Open Studios Preview Exhibition reception on September 30 and at my own Open Studio on October 13, 14, 20, 21.</p><p>Onward…</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-12655128907509170132018-01-03T15:55:00.000-08:002018-01-03T15:57:58.135-08:00Happy New Year!<p>Well, 2017 is over (whew), and a hopeful 2018 is just beginning. I’m finally on the tail end of a two-week-long bad cold, and finally able to get back in the studio.</p><p>It’s finally raining here in Santa Cruz after a totally dry December. We’re enjoying the patter of rain drops on our roof, and I’m sure our garden is enjoying it more.</p><p>About 2018. Last year I retired from active craft shows and art festivals. I did do Open Studios in October, and, if I’m accepted again this year, for the 18th time, I’ll do it once more before retiring from that too. After that I’ll participate in the occasional gallery exhibit, and I plan to keep my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> going, which has done quite well this year. <br></p><p>A lot of my work last year was spent on antique instrument restorations. However, I did get one more dulcimer completed in November. This is not one of my traditional dulcimers. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3haMLzMFb4o/Wk1tUDAfOTI/AAAAAAAADGg/VZZNugoyoHoGFK9bDslpdC3mSs6EBFEvQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Elect-Dulcimer%255B5%255D"><img width="371" height="213" title="Elect-Dulcimer" align="left" style="margin: 8px 10px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Elect-Dulcimer" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LXo2XWLHT00/Wk1tUtwf9-I/AAAAAAAADGk/u5qkiwSQvDAsRYFzGEH9G79Z7BRIKrofACHMYCw/Elect-Dulcimer_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>This one is a solid body electric dulcimer made from a single piece of salvaged ash. The three-pole pickup is perfect for the string spacing, and when plugged into a small portable guitar amp, the dulcimer sounds wonderful.</p><p>Just before my cold laid me up, I started turning more dulcimer noter blanks. The following photo shows all the noters and several spoons ready for carving.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--og2ssM4fDE/Wk1tU_46MII/AAAAAAAADGo/t8NpJJife_YlFCX798HFTnYQE_WK9QvuwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Noters%2Band%2Bspoons%255B9%255D"><img width="370" height="227" title="Noters and spoons" align="right" style="margin: 5px 5px 5px 10px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Noters and spoons" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bweg4vMfUhs/Wk1tVDpu1zI/AAAAAAAADGs/UbCq9l_msLs3EijZ7_KEyP8sRncsjde-wCHMYCw/Noters%2Band%2Bspoons_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>I have a couple of projects in process for our home. The main one is another redwood burl side table. I made one nearly two years ago that’s next to our sofa, so now I’m making another for the other side. I picked up both redwood burls at the same time about four years ago. They were given to me by someone I met through Open Studios. </p><p>There is a large void I need to seal with a piece of maple, then I’ll insert three walnut “butterflies” over that. Several of my recent furniture pieces have legs that undulate and flow. This one will too.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JYOEgsD9RwM/Wk1tVYcBXcI/AAAAAAAADGw/MXaRwF1IjzgcEo6fg_M0NN65pLYKgjSxQCHMYCw/s1600-h/RW-side%2Btable2%255B3%255D"><img width="385" height="236" title="RW-side table2" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="RW-side table2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xbLs1mWt1h4/Wk1tV8RgOHI/AAAAAAAADG0/0fClKMfPLSMXW_VZHFw6rM4jKlNYgS1UQCHMYCw/RW-side%2Btable2_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jpfh0R490jE/Wk1tWCN4OKI/AAAAAAAADG4/IVCSig4OYz8_YjoKCcjEy8prlINi9tmRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/RW-sidetable%2Blegs-rungs%255B6%255D"><img width="303" height="235" title="RW-sidetable legs-rungs" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="RW-sidetable legs-rungs" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dxzQZirJC48/Wk1tWZQ76jI/AAAAAAAADG8/vNyXCS33TLY1zUJNKNFIPT1z7SDy03hVQCHMYCw/RW-sidetable%2Blegs-rungs_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Five or six years ago I was contacted by a fellow in Hollister who had a barn full of wood he wanted to give away. I still have quite a few pieces left, including this large black walnut burl. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jmXuKZC4_Bk/Wk1tW2HiBwI/AAAAAAAADHA/zzEZEny0WtI1c5JSSnheLpN-36qcxDAGgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Coffee%2Btable%2Bslab%255B6%255D"><img width="246" height="305" title="Coffee table slab" align="right" style="margin: 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Coffee table slab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nuNC74tMQ0U/Wk1tXKu-AwI/AAAAAAAADHE/P2XehJi8ct47DJ004N-1fDXohJIUPBrBQCHMYCw/Coffee%2Btable%2Bslab_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>It had an odd half-sawn projection on the back that kept me from doing anything with it. I finally used a hand saw and had it nearly cut off, when I heard my saw hit something awfully hard. I broke part of the projection off and found a large rock embedded in the wood. Of course, my hand saw was ruined. It will need some severe sharpening to get it going again. </p><p>Once I finally pried the rock out, I was able to use another hand saw and finish cutting the projection off. I plan to make a coffee table out of the burl.</p><p><strong>Other News</strong></p><p>I got one new piece of equipment late last year: a Craftsman 10-inch bandsaw. I <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eTikSw8D_IA/Wk1tXbhtLxI/AAAAAAAADHI/FdH74TuYafMG5wdt55_PZ6CqmQJGItJIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Craftsman%2B10in%2Bbandsaw%255B6%255D"><img width="225" height="346" title="Craftsman 10in bandsaw" align="left" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Craftsman 10in bandsaw" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hoRzm_HojUE/Wk1tXxfaOiI/AAAAAAAADHM/uAajcpxFvEE7bttBaDCGCh5AaEMj7tL8QCHMYCw/Craftsman%2B10in%2Bbandsaw_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>had an old 12-inch Craftsman that finally broke down after 30 years of continuous use. I do have a large bandsaw in my garage shop that I use for resawing, but I needed a smaller one in my studio for general cutting, like for prepping turning blocks.</p><p>I did a lot of research on 10-inch bandsaws, and this one and a Rikon were rated high. Both the Craftsman and Rikon were manufactured identically, but the Craftsman was always less expensive.</p><p><strong><br></strong></p><p><strong>Restorations</strong></p><p>This has been a big year for restorations. I’ve had one or two zithers or ukuleles on my workbench at a time. Currently, I have a wonderful circa 1890-1900 Zimmerman autoharp that’s almost done. It’s actually made by Zimmerman for the Phonoharp Company. It’s also an unusual 8-chord bar autoharp known as the Model 72 7/8. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uUtFtKvdBHY/Wk1tYCBSLAI/AAAAAAAADHQ/OzFxKV9s8Q0Gb_ZoOtrkG0cr06za3z2TgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Zimmerman%2Bautoharp%2B72-7-8%255B7%255D"><img width="313" height="174" title="Zimmerman autoharp 72-7-8" align="left" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Zimmerman autoharp 72-7-8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JXj3zO7avCg/Wk1tYaszG1I/AAAAAAAADHU/8zHep_6qgToGk1MFyZKI5aNmxu8baqPbgCHMYCw/Zimmerman%2Bautoharp%2B72-7-8_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The real Model 72, made around the same time this was manufactured had 12 chord bars. Oscar Schmidt still makes the Model 72 today.</p><p>My other restoration project just arrived last month. It’s a beautiful harp-style concert zither that’s heavily inlaid with wood, mother of pearl, and abalone. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dmmgxLwUXEA/Wk1uA9xD1nI/AAAAAAAADIA/Rkmh7V6H1CA-I-p2BSb8WOW042s7xgxGQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Concert%2Bzither%255B7%255D"><img width="302" height="203" title="Concert zither" align="right" style="margin: 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Concert zither" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qkhAk0AfbFA/Wk1tYx8JuMI/AAAAAAAADHc/voBiUxZyxdwJGjgKQh5UbNZo-ANbxuJsACHMYCw/Concert%2Bzither_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>It has some failed glue joints and a badly warped top. I’ll have to remove the back so I can steam the top flat from the underside. As soon as I finish up the autoharp, I’ll concentrate fully on the concert zither.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P-2zRo10QCk/Wk1uBUJfq0I/AAAAAAAADIE/k5TEh7mIegIAqwE1RyRUg1ukTq_GEsi1wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Concert%2Bzither%255B6%255D"><br></a><p><strong>And…</strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kpMS3nrRpWY/Wk1tZl8pFiI/AAAAAAAADHk/qDV5NlT8zwA5qaU-4zZB6nzJof5vPY2EACHMYCw/s1600-h/New%2Bbike%255B7%255D"><img width="287" height="221" title="New bike" align="left" style="margin: 5px 8px 5px 6px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="New bike" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MAEjQN64xIE/Wk1tZ2lq66I/AAAAAAAADHo/kxudDONfeh8mP6KGVV0H0TeZDOtFmeGewCHMYCw/New%2Bbike_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>For my birthday, my wife got me a new bicycle. </p><p>My old one, which I’d had for 20 years or more, never really fit me well, so I didn’t ride it very much. </p><p>While visiting our favorite bike shop for some items my wife, who is an avid bicyclist, I started looking around at the new bikes. One thing led to another, and the bike shop pulled a bike out and set it up to fit me. I tried it out, and found I loved it. My wife got it for me. I’ve ridden this bike more in the few months I’ve had it than the last few years on my old bike. Fun!</p><p>That’s about it for now. Again, Happy New Year to everyone out there. Here’s hoping that for all of you 2018 will be productive, healthy, and full of joy.</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-34672059846442037652017-09-25T12:08:00.000-07:002017-09-25T12:36:45.901-07:00It’s Autumn! Nearly Open Studios Time Again!<p>It’s a beautiful time of year in Santa Cruz. The fog has disappeared, it’s pleasant outside, and the sky is blue with a few puffy white clouds over the hills. Hopefully, it will stay that way for the first three weekends in October when the Open Studios Art Tour 2017 takes place. I am in North County, and I am artist #25. North County is the first Weekend, <a href="http://www.artscouncilsc.org" target="_blank"><img width="210" height="260" title="Artist Guide Cover" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Artist Guide Cover" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I79HfB9Iau4/WclT6pGUamI/AAAAAAAACfc/h-6NYvcwcfI1IzS-U_BUWmRuhwwvAcmBQCHMYCw/Artist-Guide-Cover6?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>October 7-8. The next weekend is South County (October 14-15), so I’ll be able to get out to see some of the fine arts and crafts in that area. I’ll again be Open the third weekend, October 21-22, for the All County art tour (aka Encore Weekend).</p>Be sure to check out the preview exhibit at the <a href="http://www.scal.org" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Art League</a>. The exhibit opens September 30, and the public reception is Sunday, October 1, from 3 to 6pm. Pick up the free Artist & Tour guide while you’re there so you can plan your trips while looking at the wonderful pieces (including mine) from over 200 talented artists.<p>There’s also a satellite exhibit at the <a href="http://www.rblitzergallery.com" target="_blank">R. Blitzer Gallery</a> for the remote artists in the County. There’ll be a First Friday reception there on October 6th from 5 to 9pm. </p><p>So I hope to see you all here.</p><p><strong>Other News</strong></p><p>The <em>Sculpture Is 2017</em> show at the <a href="http://www.sierraazul.com/">Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens</a> in Watsonville, California, has one more month to go. I was pleased to see my birdhouses used in a promo piece for the show. </p><p>To recap: <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L03JA5tpFdA/WUw138SlCkI/AAAAAAAACTM/3YlTEbUz0UAq-AN2ABDW9_YCY5Wh2PN-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="226" title="Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72" align="left" alt="Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRWnUWTQSTM/WUw14C6ibMI/AAAAAAAACTQ/23wzhyAU7LoNBXggCDSmt03ZBeA6CdQvQCHMYCw/Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Sierra Azul has a two acre sculpture garden where the nursery and <a href="http://www.pajarovalleyartscouncil.org/">Pajaro Valley Arts Council</a> have put on a five-month exhibit of garden sculptures for the last 10 years. There’s every type of sculpture on exhibit: wood, metal, ceramic, glass. Some are kinetic, many are stationary.</p><p>My birdhouses are salvaged birch, poplar, and cherry, all urban forest cuttings. They are coated with a UV protective finish, so they can be placed outside. Other birdhouses I’ve made and carved have ended up inside homes as sculptural artwork.<p>The show will be ending the end of October. If you haven’t checked out this beautiful nursery and gardens yet, there’s over a month left.</p><p><strong>New Work</strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XSjcDh6v5m4/WclT7GdIcfI/AAAAAAAACfg/4BfBaWy8UtU7RRMLRx3JYsh5dC-dGEa4QCHMYCw/s1600-h/12-x-12-zither14"><strong><img width="260" height="235" title="12 x 12 zither1" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="12 x 12 zither1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yc4XXruMk2o/WclT7TutoeI/AAAAAAAACfk/yE5LuuFIUqwnWTOb4hygq8eFmWrnr4tBgCHMYCw/12-x-12-zither1_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong></a>Finally! I finished some projects. It took some time, but I finally knuckled down and completed a few pieces. </p><p>The first is a two inch thick, perfectly square 12 inch by 12 inch zither. The 15 diatonically tuned steel strings ring out and sustain beautifully. A square zither might seem odd, but historically, it’s not. Way back in the 13th century, an image of one similar to mine is shown in the Spanish illuminated manuscript Cantigas de Santa Maria.</p><p>The front and back is black walnut that is some of the remainder of wood used on our new dining room table. This is wood milled many years ago (not sure how long ago), and stored in a barn in California’s Central Valley in Gustine. The slabs were so filthy, it was impossible to see what the wood looked like underneath. When resawn for the table, the walnut showed incredible flame streaks and grain. This zither shows some of the wood’s beauty.</p><p>The sides are sycamore laminated over the maple frame.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zZLQX8hAnRA/WclT7yAKluI/AAAAAAAACfo/HnlWXWOKFIAdZl-0lx0c46OfCs_8nvXwQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Dulcimer-Hurdy-Gurdy4"><img width="260" height="143" title="Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vBo9LYGM8Eg/WclT8EvTePI/AAAAAAAACfs/FIvpA0cGVXQIZ3aIvM8iTEjo5OMR7WA7wCHMYCw/Dulcimer-Hurdy-Gurdy_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>One project that I had been working on a little at a time is finally finished. This is my Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy. The whole body is bookmatched cocobolo over a maple frame. The heads and tail end are also maple as is the wheel. The crank is black walnut.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TiR870s5TA8/WclT8jpUNWI/AAAAAAAACfw/jz4SGQg7vrcDSzu6HX0p4N4VCXZ7hlHiQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Dulcimer-Hurdy-Gurdy-Head4"><img width="237" height="260" title="Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy Head" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy Head" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z79acKG-J1s/WclT86bR28I/AAAAAAAACf0/ouMlQvDGviI9TBDTl7qCj2BcZ-4j9xbMQCHMYCw/Dulcimer-Hurdy-Gurdy-Head_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Many years ago, I purchased a set of geared violin pegs that I was going to use on a custom instrument that never came about. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n1_9sZMZEwI/WclT9TzGREI/AAAAAAAACf4/-Yo1C0jfIXkteIWtagEbMj0u7ZiAx5Y0QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Dulcimer-Hurdy-Gurdy-green-man4"><img width="260" height="220" title="Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy green man" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Dulcimer Hurdy Gurdy green man" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sjo9Jxj_Zds/WclT9geDqgI/AAAAAAAACf8/GxwpLHZYQPYM9ULdjuZU5grujJfLTqknwCHMYCw/Dulcimer-Hurdy-Gurdy-green-man_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>I decided to use these on this instrument. They seem to work quite well and hold tuning better than standard friction pegs. </p><p>One reason this project took so long to finish was all the carving I did on the heads and the green man tail piece. I’m pleased with how they came out.</p><p><br></p><p>Ten or more years ago I picked up a bunch of free wood out of a barn in Hollister, California. One of the pieces was a one inch thick slab cut across a black walnut trunk. From that I made a small table at coffee table height. </p><p><img width="260" height="224" title="Walnut mini coffee table" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Walnut mini coffee table" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QbG2wgI7uXI/WclT-JSkO9I/AAAAAAAACgA/Cz8s50NBaX8jcZdMD_b9yRUbDDK1-s1zQCHMYCw/Walnut-mini-coffee-table_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0">The slab did have a crack running part way through it, but I knew it would go no farther, since the wood was very dry. However, I did add two maple butterflies across the crack on the top and bottom. Most of the voids I filled with a turquoise epoxy resin. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qWPqLG9oUus/WclT-Zm6yyI/AAAAAAAACgE/P7m6fBl3WGMOuIlQeg8iKo7Qw-lnEWPSgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Walnut-mini-coffee-table-legs4"><img width="260" height="200" title="Walnut mini coffee table legs" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Walnut mini coffee table legs" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KrLe1C9pwOg/WclT-4Kwp8I/AAAAAAAACgI/cvJI0fvMhVEgvyTstq0RQv7LzEFk5T-RwCHMYCw/Walnut-mini-coffee-table-legs_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>The wavy legs are black walnut that is left over from the countertop I installed in our kitchen.</p><p>This would be a lovely coffee table for a small living room or apartment, or as a base for a sculpture.</p><p><strong>Work in Process</strong></p><p>One piece I’m working on is a secret. I hope to have it done by the end of October for a gallery show. Once in the show, I’ll explain what this experimental piece is. Stay tuned.</p><strong><img width="260" height="200" title="IMG_6699" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="IMG_6699" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UK1adUpHc_8/WclT_Kpqt5I/AAAAAAAACgM/KnZzp_YCxwYxUBumHY-U8GwE-IxNuvknQCHMYCw/IMG_6699_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong>Another long-term project has been my Baroque Hurdy Gurdy. This has been one of my more complicated pieces, and I’ve worked on it a little at a time trying to get things right. I’m working off of blueprints (actually whiteprints) I purchased from the Guild of American Luthiers. (I’ve been a GAL member for over 40 years now!) The drawings are based on a museum piece, and the draftsman took a few liberties to “modernize” the instrument. I’ve been trying to “unmodernize” it back to it’s original Baroque style. I’m close, but it is taking time.<p>I did finally get the crank done. The wheel moves quite freely with no internal friction. I’m very pleased with that.</p><p><strong>Restorations & Repairs</strong></p><p>Not<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KZGrpxYn0Dk/WclT_nkrFiI/AAAAAAAACgQ/wZiAxkQVS7YAADnbFE0lymJqe8pyziL3wCHMYCw/s1600-h/Kamaka-uke4"><img width="167" height="260" title="Kamaka uke" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Kamaka uke" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dp9BDGJKO00/WclUAIJtzaI/AAAAAAAACgU/Md5QJzKvLT0b7aILPT-Oo_s9GKfCvWI_gCHMYCw/Kamaka-uke_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> too long ago I finished restoring a lovely Kamaka Pineapple Ukulele. This interesting koa ukulele was made by the Kamaka family in the 1930s. Kamaka ukuleles are still being made by them. This is the only Hawaiian ukulele company from the early 20th century that is still in business. The “pineapple” shape does give this uke a lovely sound.</p><p><strong><img width="260" height="182" title="Phonoharp repair" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Phonoharp repair" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xVHt7peGHVc/WclUAeJ-iVI/AAAAAAAACgY/PSk2HH-K_9g9ueSDkS_VClNlqiSYew1xACHMYCw/Phonoharp-repair_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></strong>Currently I’m restoring a Columbia Special Zither made by the Phonoharp Company in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I believe this one is from around 1890-95. What is unique about this chord zither is the label. It says “Pacific Zither Company, Home Office, San Francisco, Cal, Manufactured by the Phonoharp Co.”</p><p><br></p><p>The Phonoharp Company was actually in New Jersey. This <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5xh4GJvV9wc/WclUA0TjUfI/AAAAAAAACgc/PkKErOulApoeap185J-C8iqPmK_j7WlvQCHMYCw/s1600-h/Photoharp-label"><img width="260" height="238" title="Photoharp label" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Photoharp label" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NB_QmziVeYE/WclUBHsT69I/AAAAAAAACgg/yqycFF8Mq_ooiLAppHX7VGbVAAEabGDnACHMYCw/Photoharp-label_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>zither probably was sent from New Jersey unstrung, and the Pacific Zither Company added the label then strung it up.</p>This is the first time I’ve seen this particular label.<p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I48hAc5YbbA/WclUBpIqj9I/AAAAAAAACgk/y79VFDLzdYMjcIV3mjgrwkT7pQEpF44QQCHMYCw/s1600-h/IMG_66994"><strong><br></strong></a></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><p><strong>In the Shop</strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loS799z545w/WclUCL6forI/AAAAAAAACgo/A664pcgH7EYTw0fFa1KLHAv3wn4CFp9CwCHMYCw/s1600-h/New-Drill-Press"><img width="210" height="260" title="New Drill Press" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="New Drill Press" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cea6T2_qBEo/WclUCeEqHLI/AAAAAAAACgs/Xo49LjRwM8QFwIMs8a13bi8Fd-JWCg98ACHMYCw/New-Drill-Press_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>While in Sacramento visiting an old friend, he took me to a brand new Harbor Freight store. I’d purchased a couple of items from them online, but had never been to a store. Quite an experience. Prices are pretty low to begin with, but with coupons, they’re even lower. However, remember the old saying “you get what you pay for”? Well, quite a few items in the store are not for real professional crafts people. Some obviously wouldn’t hold up. But…</p><p>If you shop there wisely, there are good items there. I’ve been looking at this drill press for a while online, and while in Sacramento at my friend’s home, he had an older version of this someone gave him. I checked it out and decided to get it. Gee… all of $49 with a coupon. </p><p>Shortly after I got home, I set it up and tried it out. Definitely powerful enough for my garage shop. (I have a large old Craftsman floor drill press in my studio for serious drilling.) I’m pleased.</p><p><strong>And Finally…</strong></p><p>While my wife went on her group bicycle trip in Namibia, Africa, I took a short jaunt with my best friend to Yosemite. I usually stay at the Wawona Hotel, but it was totally booked up for the days we wanted to go. Instead, we rented a <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ZUm_AhlBeM/WclUCxz3-7I/AAAAAAAACgw/NmvrACxzt-UieZ7kEhlE10_jkom1nqCNACHMYCw/s1600-h/Yosemite%2BCabin"><img width="260" height="155" title="Yosemite Cabin" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Yosemite Cabin" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yKpHUx8GOGM/WclUDBgzDNI/AAAAAAAACg0/0-D3kbOFr84fKhn76jmlCV_-EhJjCRTCQCHMYCw/Yosemite%2BCabin_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>cabin in the community of Wawona. Many cabins are available through The Redwoods in Yosemite service. The one we got was right next to the North Fork of the Merced River. Real nice two bedroom cabin.</p><p>We took our bikes and rode the Meadow Loop trail, and around the Yosemite Valley area. Fun. One problem: when we got there, large fires were still burning up on Glacier Point Road (closed while we were there) and by Fish Camp, which had closed highway 41 into the south end of Yo<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pk7o28tQYhY/WclUDjM2Q-I/AAAAAAAACg4/aJolR5Fw5hEgVY8RHhOCTIeETB8lVcVEwCHMYCw/s1600-h/4-wheeling%2Bit"><img width="260" height="155" title="4-wheeling it" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="4-wheeling it" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F1hBccT96SE/WclUD7foieI/AAAAAAAACg8/mHe0vIDz8U8NqB5-DN1cUdp4-YhDdWsIgCHMYCw/4-wheeling%2Bit_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>semite. We drove into the valley on the way to Wawona, and couldn’t even see Half Dome. But,the first night we were there, we had thunderstorms with heavy rain. That actually cleared the air of all the smoke. When we returned to the valley, it was incredibly beautiful.</p><p>On the way back to Sacramento, we did some 4-wheeling with my new Jeep. Right across the street from the Wawona Hotel, in the middle of the golf course, is the Chowchilla Mountain Road. It runs 30-40 miles through the wilderness on an unmaintained dirt road that used to be the stage route to Yosemite in the olden days. Lots of ruts, rocks, and streams to ford. Lots of fun! It comes out on Highway 49 between Oakhurst and Mariposa.</p><p>Now I’m back and working hard on new pieces, restorations, and in and around the house. Got to get ready for Open Studios. Be sure to stop by and see me the first and third weekends in October.</p><p>Until next time…</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-73240606222464028632017-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:002017-06-22T14:30:22.385-07:00Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…<p>Welcome to the first full day of summer. I’ve been working hard, trying to get old work done, new work started, and restorations out of the way. Now it’s time for some nice R & R. My wife is off to Tahoe with a bicycling friend, and I’m leaving tomorrow for Sacramento to visit an old friend. Yes, hot, hot, hot Sacramento. Today it’s supposed to get up to 108, but cool down to 101 tomorrow after I get there. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DkVGhwmuTyA/WUw13DvmU-I/AAAAAAAACTE/JlxZRtA1WPU0_K1kfW1uy7VtrbR3etmVQCHMYCw/s1600-h/IMG_5599%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="200" title="IMG_5599" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="IMG_5599" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7FVmbsAZcC8/WUw13vQqtUI/AAAAAAAACTI/tmPhUTrbKy0OGtwWBpadkvD920qRY1DUwCHMYCw/IMG_5599_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>But… it will be a cool ride. I finally traded in my 20+ year old Jeep Cherokee for a brand new Jeep Wrangler. It’s a beautiful blue ride with all the amenities: air conditioning, USB connection for smart phones, Ipods, or thumb drives (which I have set up with tons of music), and satellite radio. It came with oversize tires, and the ride is smooth and zippy. Let’s see, where can I go 4-wheeling?</p><p><strong>News</strong></p><p>I got accepted once again to the San Francisco American Craft Council Show, but I decided this year to retire from active craft shows and arts festivals. I’d cut back on the number of shows I did a few years ago (from 6-7 a year to a couple), and now I’ll only be doing our local Open Studios Art Tour in October, and a gallery show whenever I can.</p><p>That said, yes, I did get accepted to be a part of the <a href="http://www.artscouncilsc.org/open-studios/" target="_blank">Open Studios Art Tour 2017</a>. I’m artist #25 this time, and my studio will be open the first and third weekends in October. More on the Art Tour in the next Blog.</p><p><a href="http://www.artscouncilsc.org/open-studios/" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="231" style="border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/1e42dba4601/755944df-16a7-4967-93e0-06fcb18096c6.jpg" border="0"></a></p><p>As for gallery shows, I’m currently in two! </p><p>For the first time, I was accepted to exhibit at the <a href="http://www.sierraazul.com/" target="_blank">Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens</a> in Watsonville, California. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L03JA5tpFdA/WUw138SlCkI/AAAAAAAACTM/3YlTEbUz0UAq-AN2ABDW9_YCY5Wh2PN-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="226" title="Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72" align="left" style="margin: 5px 10px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRWnUWTQSTM/WUw14C6ibMI/AAAAAAAACTQ/23wzhyAU7LoNBXggCDSmt03ZBeA6CdQvQCHMYCw/Sierra-Azul-Birdhouses-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Sierra Azul has a two acre sculpture garden where the nursery and <a href="http://www.pajarovalleyartscouncil.org/" target="_blank">Pajaro Valley Arts Council</a> have put on a five-month exhibit of garden sculptures for the last 10 years. There’s every type of sculpture on exhibit: wood, metal, ceramic, glass. Some are kinetic, most are stationary.</p><p>My birdhouses are salvaged birch, poplar, and cherry, all urban forest cuttings. They are coated with a UV protective finish, so they can be placed outside. Other birdhouses I’ve made and carved have ended up inside homes as sculptural artwork.</p><p>The other gallery show is at the <a href="http://rblitzergallery.com/" target="_blank">R. Blitzer Gallery</a> here in Santa Cruz. The event is the Santa Cruz Art of Guitar Exhibition & Festival.</p><img width="260" height="202" title="Ron and Charles at Guitar Show-72" align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Ron and Charles at Guitar Show-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UeVpaLnLl68/WUw14dEvhKI/AAAAAAAACTU/P9xjXmrTdMkU1rv1hrD1g89BbMApyzEqQCHMYCw/Ron%2Band%2BCharles%2Bat%2BGuitar%2BShow-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0">It started June 2nd, and runs to July 16th. I was invited by Rob Blitzer to exhibit in his office area along with fellow luthier Charles Sutton. We are an addition to the main show in the three rooms of the gallery. There are concerts, demonstrations, and workshops every weekend of the show. The exhibit features not only the cream of Santa Cruz County luthiers, but also an educational section with a workshop with woods, work in progress, and a video on guitar building.<p><strong>Work in Process</strong></p><p>There’s several things happening in both my studio and workshop.</p><p>Little by little, I’m getting down to the final stages of the Baroque hurdy gurdy. I finally set up the crank. I still need to <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wApcflWzV4c/WUw148Mp2YI/AAAAAAAACTY/wcVx4Gt1dIAcj800robN3ipW9GoagcFHgCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hurdy%2BGurdy1-72%255B5%255D"><img width="232" height="213" title="Hurdy Gurdy1-72" align="left" style="margin: 5px 8px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Hurdy Gurdy1-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YGOwcleeBk/WUw15CtfknI/AAAAAAAACTc/MlqS5GKtv7sYZ97d4HvAlwxb1dG5XukAACHMYCw/Hurdy%2BGurdy1-72_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>make one more drone bridge, layout for the string holes into the peg head, set the tailpiece, and test it before applying the tung oil varnish. It <u>WILL</u> be done by Open Studios in October. I looked at my timesheets and this instrument has been in the works for over six months. Seems like other things keep getting in the way, oh, like vacations, teaching (here and at Cabrillo), presentation at the Diablo Woodworkers, preparing for two gallery exhibits, writing, and a couple of restoration projects. It’s no wonder my “real” work gets pushed to the back burner once in a while.</p><p> I’ve also got another “hurdy gurdy" type of project going now. I’m making a dulcimer hurdy gurdy. <img width="260" height="189" title="New-dulcimer-gurdy-72" align="right" style="margin: 8px 0px 0px 13px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="New-dulcimer-gurdy-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rl6NQZZXIL4/WUw15PR9LvI/AAAAAAAACTg/Y1fqWq-9Rhk8Xg5563n2pGOQTCm1VE83ACHMYCw/New-dulcimer-gurdy-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0">The fingerboard is played just like a regular dulcimer, but instead of strumming the strings, you crank a wheel that rubs the strings like a violin bow. There are quite a few dulcimer players who use a violin bow. My dulcimer hurdy gurdy does the same but with a rosined wheel. It’s going to be a straight-sided instrument in the style of the Pennsylvania/Ohio German-style dulcimers. I’m using salvaged cocobolo for the top, back, and sides. <img width="260" height="200" title="Carving bench-72" align="left" style="margin: 5px 12px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Carving bench-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tpoGI6muReI/WUw15emRYZI/AAAAAAAACTk/zk_NgCjKNTQmbCJtuKDPHowEFxRS7cp6gCHMYCw/Carving%2Bbench-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0">This wood was salvaged out of a barn in Hollister, where it had been once used and stored from Gavilan College. The frame, head, tailpiece, and wheel are maple.</p>Meanwhile, out in my studio, there are still quite a few noters, whistles, spoons, and other pieces just waiting for me to sit down for a couple of days and carve away. Most of them are rough carved and just need finishing up. One of these days…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VFhAd4s-eAU/WUw15vO91wI/AAAAAAAACTo/-4ZoV3h3-D8af4qqGD7hNcvzwDFbYELQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/New-dulcimer-gurdy-72%255B4%255D"><br></a></p><p><strong>Restorations & Repairs</strong></p><p>I just finished restoring a nice Menzenhauer/Schmidt chord zither. It’s the model 2 1/2, with five chords and 21 melody strings. It was in pretty sad shape when it arrived. The glue joint at the pin block had failed and because the strings were still tight, the top pulled up and cracked in several places. <img width="199" height="260" title="Chord zither-72" align="left" style="margin: 6px 10px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Chord zither-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJYU5B7s6_E/WUw158dY0vI/AAAAAAAACTs/2bp_NBGsEag_dgGtaoJ943R6wwEioJi0ACHMYCw/Chord%2Bzither-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0">To repair the zither, I had to remove the top. This way I was able to close up and stabilize the cracks, and fix any internal problems with the frame and bracing.</p>This zither was heavily played at one time, obviously with finger picks, because the top was pitted and scratched at the playing area. The “note” decal, the long decal with all the notes and chords on it, was nearly 1/2 destroyed. I created a new one to replace it. I’m pleased how it came out, and very pleased how the restoration came out.<p>When I gave my presentation to the Diablo Woodworkers, I took a couple of my pieces for show and tell. My walnut medieval three-leg chair was one of them. I hadn’t noticed that one of the top rungs had broken until someone sat in it and it became obvious there was a problem. <img width="260" height="200" title="Three-leg-chair-break-72" align="right" style="margin: 4px 0px 0px 6px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Three-leg-chair-break-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iq8akrtBl8s/WUw16AE41RI/AAAAAAAACTw/v196xApnfVgg_ca0-wa3L-XDkQRDrjKVgCHMYCw/Three-leg-chair-break-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0">I do remember sitting in the chair at a desk while working on my laptop and hearing a creaking sound. I think the rung cracked then. When I got home, I immediately took a good look and found that the rung had a bad fault at a knot and the rung cracked diagonally. </p><p>It took several days, but I was able to fix and stabilize the rung by judicious gluing and clamping. I also turned two new upright spindles to help strengthen both side top rails. I was worried I would have to take all the rush seating off to repair the chair. Fortunately, I found a work-a-round. </p><p>Do you have an antique stringed instrument that’s very special to you? A family heirloom? A collection piece? I have one more opening this year for you! To see the types of instruments I’ve worked on, check out my Repair Logs on my web site at <a href="http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html">http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html</a>. </p><p><strong>Teaching</strong></p><p>One of my students has been steadily working on violin forms, steam bending and some assembly to prepare for a violin making class she’s taking in Los Angeles. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nn5dM1JIgdE/WUw16aJxfPI/AAAAAAAACT0/D_kzzBhEMSIEBKKcjtkroO0su8XamORNwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Annette-violin%2Bform-72%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="190" title="Annette-violin form-72" align="left" style="margin: 6px 9px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Annette-violin form-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s8MvYp-xz3U/WUw16ru7P3I/AAAAAAAACT4/Qp34n5onHFEETJgizkP8uDF9DEwzasgngCHMYCw/Annette-violin%2Bform-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>By now, she’s back from that class, and I’m anxious to see the results. I saw a little of her progress on her Facebook page. </p><p>Another student returned after a long hiatus, and is working on general woodworking skills on items for her home and family. </p><p><img width="260" height="187" title="Cabrillo-carving-class-72" align="right" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Cabrillo-carving-class-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xiY5UD80TkU/WUw16lExBeI/AAAAAAAACT8/bE4i7TkyRtwpN1f64dj8xRCeW_6QItl4wCHMYCw/Cabrillo-carving-class-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0">Early in June I once again taught an elementary hand carving class at Cabrillo College. I had nearly a full class, and each of them learned quickly and completed several relief carvings using templates I supplied. I also supplied the basswood carving blocks and carving tools. Several of the students showed real talent. One would like to continue at my studio later this year.</p><p><strong>And Finally…</strong></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qzMBG9xHRds/WUw16x3zR1I/AAAAAAAACUA/6RGZBaORvskkcrgiROlANqMnWTC8klGdgCHMYCw/s1600-h/At%2BTapa%2BBar-Honolulu%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="196" title="At Tapa Bar-Honolulu" align="left" style="margin: 0px 11px 0px 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="At Tapa Bar-Honolulu" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O45ELkZHcKE/WUw17AwlakI/AAAAAAAACUE/EyslQA8TwQQYfqY74rSqcu_szDcN1wdhACHMYCw/At%2BTapa%2BBar-Honolulu_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>My wife and I took a wonderful, and well deserved, vacation in Hawaii a few months ago. We went to the Left Coast Crime Conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tyA3AXerpEw/WUw17Ri-SyI/AAAAAAAACUI/S2e-DHKiab4JGX_ZjRg6a-6BncVeXuPJwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hula-72%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="209" title="Hula-72" align="right" style="margin: 6px 0px 0px 6px; float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Hula-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cbhIJ985DbQ/WUw17tyQDjI/AAAAAAAACUM/CooqM-tGWJcvridhod_LNWTSQ3Q49RjJgCHMYCw/Hula-72_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We got to meet world-famous authors and attended four days of panel discussions and book signings. I even got to finish my own book while there! For relaxation, I hung out at the Tapa Bar and listened to really good bands playing everything from Hawaiian music to oldies and contemporary.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tyA3AXerpEw/WUw17Ri-SyI/AAAAAAAACUI/S2e-DHKiab4JGX_ZjRg6a-6BncVeXuPJwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hula-72%255B4%255D"><br></a>Today, my wife headed to Lake Tahoe with a friend to knit and ride their bicycles. Tomorrow, I’m heading to hot, hot, hot Sacramento to visit an old friend and do some wine tasting and listening to live music by a guy we know. When I get back to cool Santa Cruz, I’ll have to move some projects from the back burner to the front and finish them. </p><p>So, for now, that’s all the news that’s fit to print. Onward…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tyA3AXerpEw/WUw17Ri-SyI/AAAAAAAACUI/S2e-DHKiab4JGX_ZjRg6a-6BncVeXuPJwCHMYCw/s1600-h/Hula-72%255B4%255D"><br></a></p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-61410171992480986592017-01-07T14:05:00.000-08:002017-01-07T14:52:04.792-08:00Happy New Year<p>A new year is upon us! It looks to be a very memorable one, what with the political environment and its potential outcome. The shock of last November lingers, but… we must keep a positive attitude and strive to help make our lives better… or at least status quo!</p> <p>Through it all, I am still creating and planning to create artwork, teach, and plan for future shows and events.</p> <p><strong>In The Studio</strong></p> <p>I have been very busy in my studio and shop working on new instruments, folk art, furniture (mainly for the home), and sculptural pieces.</p> <p>As for instruments, I completed several new psalteries and another Germanic rote.The small trapezoidal psaltery on the left is my second steel-string version of a larger one in an image in the Spanish <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SPq0C_iWtWY/WHFmAttg6MI/AAAAAAAACIY/zKsXivPftV0/s1600-h/Mini-psalteries-72%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mini-psalteries-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mini-psalteries-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fjg2d6lYAUI/WHFmA7A4ljI/AAAAAAAACIc/Q59S4uYhB2U/Mini-psalteries-72_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" align="right" height="163"></a>illuminated manuscript, Cantigas de Santa Maria. It has a salvaged Douglas fir top, salvaged oak back, salvaged purpleheart bindings, and maple frame and bridges.. The mini hognose psaltery on the right is my small version of those that were popular in Europe as early as the 1100s. It is salvaged black walnut on top and back, cherry frame, and maple bindings and bridges.</p> <p>Below is my new full-size hognose psaltery. It has cherry top and back, maple frame, black walnut bridges and soundhole roses, and purpleheart bindings. This one is <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9k_9MEM9dw0/WHFmBKmPmPI/AAAAAAAACIg/ZtRfrRuAEjo/s1600-h/Memling%252520Psaltery%2525204-72%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Memling Psaltery 4-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Memling Psaltery 4-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Uz6HaJsNcY/WHFmBfW6ExI/AAAAAAAACIk/SNslB4dvpJo/Memling%252520Psaltery%2525204-72_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" align="left" height="259"></a>based on a psaltery depicted in an alterpiece painting by Hans Memling in the 15th century.</p> <p>All instruments of this style are related to Persian/Moorish/Arabic instruments that date from Biblical times.</p> <p>Several years ago, during a lull between shows, I cut out and fabricated tops and backs to nearly a dozen instruments, setting <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-azv6gZ1pykM/WHFmBsc0WBI/AAAAAAAACIo/26A4F5ByZDg/s1600-h/Dulcimer%252520wood%252520blanks-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Dulcimer wood blanks-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Dulcimer wood blanks-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fDHl9PFkp6A/WHFmCky4V2I/AAAAAAAACIs/TqDTPV0ML2M/Dulcimer%252520wood%252520blanks-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="194"></a>them aside until I needed them. Last year while cleaning my studio and sorting my stash of woods, I came across all the cut out pieces. I decided it was time to take these pieces and start using them. These three psalteries are the first from my stash.</p> <p>As I was completing these, I was also working on another mini Germanic rote (lyre) out of cherry and with an apple top. The highly figured apple, which I’ve used on several <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xr-ZAIe-O-Q/WHFmCxaXebI/AAAAAAAACIw/Gfb2vvHlXUE/s1600-h/Mini%252520Germanic%252520Rote%2525202-72%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mini Germanic Rote 2-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 9px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mini Germanic Rote 2-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ncnWPjF-30/WHFmDNoLc8I/AAAAAAAACI0/95lDOEMPx-4/Mini%252520Germanic%252520Rote%2525202-72_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" align="left" height="317"></a>mini rotes, makes a striking instrument.</p> <p>All the lyres I make are based on instruments discovered in burial mounds and archeological sites in England and Central Europe. The mini rotes are approximately 3/4 sized versions of the larger ones I make. All my mini psalteries and rotes are very portable and popular with renaissance fair attendees as well as reenactment groups like the SCA.</p> <p>Currently on my workbench is a full-size hurdy gurdy that is based on one in the Germanisches National Museum in Nuremberg. It’s considered to be of the Baroque period of the 1700. My version is koa, cherry and purpleheart, with maple bracing. I <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0E0KGTVeNPo/WHFmDU1zHoI/AAAAAAAACI4/TLZDZ1aEYJo/s1600-h/Hurdy%252520Gurdy-Jan-2017%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Hurdy Gurdy-Jan-2017" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Hurdy Gurdy-Jan-2017" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_rlENQwlVAs/WHFmDsCBV2I/AAAAAAAACI8/4G4irKQ3Zz0/Hurdy%252520Gurdy-Jan-2017_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" align="right" height="228"></a>recently completed the keys and fit them in the new key box. I have already turned the wheel, but I still need to fit all the mechanics together before glueing the top and key box on.</p> <p>Besides the new instruments, I took a little time to make a new bench for our bedroom. We had no low seating to put on our shoes, so I used the last piece of black walnut of the huge pieces I used on our counter, mantel, and coffee table. I scooped out a seat and made a trestle style base. This last piece of walnut had a <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9IoXHLY_RWQ/WHFmD-j6iPI/AAAAAAAACJ0/D_o8IqIZODoSbfs4JeRHd62DBQLm9NlkACHM/s1600-h/Shoe%2Bbench%255B6%255D"><img title="Shoe bench" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Shoe bench" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mEjNvZXwcDw/WHFmENb-gdI/AAAAAAAACJ4/bwH34G_jDa02JPdaJN2CobK5JnW3jVCAwCHM/Shoe%2Bbench_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="253" align="left" height="191"></a>large crack in it, so I inserted a butterfly, a la George Nakashima, filled voids with turquoise epoxy resin, and finished it with several coats of tung oil. It’s now a nice, low, comfortable place to put on socks and shoes.</p> <p>The specialty lumber yard I frequent, Jackel Enterprises in Watsonville, had a big inventory reduction sale in December. I popped in the first day of the sale and picked up some nice claro walnut, black walnut, urban forest elm (from San Jose State University), and a little more cherry. With my current stash and these new woods, I should have enough to last me the rest of my life.</p> <p><strong>Folk Art</strong></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hr6mJUyIe0M/WHFmEdDKrxI/AAAAAAAACJ8/u4zjZdzeqLMDCzY8jG9ekaJgdOw6jHwCwCHM/s1600-h/Egyptian%2BBowl-72%255B6%255D"><img title="Egyptian Bowl-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Egyptian Bowl-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AXRVVDrqsdQ/WHFmEn3XsVI/AAAAAAAACKA/ubWFFyQxQ9QW7Ghi9a0YCZFU4Vbn54N1wCHM/Egyptian%2BBowl-72_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="262" align="left" height="234"></a>Some other pieces I worked on to complete before 2016 ended were a pair of vessels. The largest actually started out as a different project that turned out bad. I rep<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RRFuPmTc0PY/WHFmEw-9uQI/AAAAAAAACKE/zcBNHyvYazcbvxub2uqXft4am2yhmaUAQCHM/s1600-h/Odd%2Bwalnut%2Bbowl-72%255B5%255D"><img title="Odd walnut bowl-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Odd walnut bowl-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lyfafwHKINI/WHFmFJOvW3I/AAAAAAAACKI/G1kW_EapO14dtB4LCcD9_Ly2r89qnPaZACHM/Odd%2Bwalnut%2Bbowl-72_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="238" align="right" height="176"></a>urposed the coopered cocobolo section as a large lidded bowl with a tagua head on the handle. I think it turned out rather well. </p> <p>Usually, I turn bowls on my lathe. I had a piece of scrap black walnut that had an interesting, odd shape. I decided to carve it. I did turn the insides and the lid, but not the outside of the piece. Again, I carved a tagua nut for the handle.</p> <p><strong>Restorations and Repairs<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XPnr7ppg8fA/WHFmFXwAeeI/AAAAAAAACJY/G3q62Z6qkxQ/s1600-h/Tom-Jill%252520Violin%252520being%252520repaired%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tom-Jill Violin being repaired" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Tom-Jill Violin being repaired" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YJ0BMWyjA7E/WHFmFiRMOoI/AAAAAAAACJc/6di-Ye0cwq8/Tom-Jill%252520Violin%252520being%252520repaired_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" align="right" height="205"></a></strong></p> <p>The last year was busy for me in the instrument restoration field. I had zithers, both concert and chorded, and ukuleles. I’m currently working on a 100+ year old German violin.</p> <p>I also started working on some zithers and autoharps from my own collection. I do plan on selling these once they’re restored. I recently finished an 1885-1890 Zimmermann autoharp, model 2 3/4. It had a couple of small cracks, and all the chord buttons were missing. Here’s the result of my restoration:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zo91FzsdNvI/WHFmF25KJ4I/AAAAAAAACKM/-pwgs9lu7f0k04hTQHzG35a1KMLb7uYEgCHM/s1600-h/Zimmermann%2B2%2B3-4-72"><img title="Zimmermann 2 3-4-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Zimmermann 2 3-4-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PGzsAimhPLY/WHFmGD9uPHI/AAAAAAAACKQ/5mVng9TQ_xgkyZa7Pvxi58QP4prnYQWygCHM/Zimmermann%2B2%2B3-4-72_thumb?imgmax=800" width="279" align="left" height="166"></a></p> <p>I have one more Zimmermann autoharp to restore, as well as several “gadget” zithers, like a Marxolin and Ukulin.</p> <p>I work on my own during the lulls between restoration jobs.</p> <p>Do you have an antique stringed instrument that’s very special to you? A family heirloom? A collection piece? I have openings in 2017 for you! To see the types of instruments I’ve worked on, check out my Repair Logs on my web site at <a href="http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html">http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html</a>. </p> <p><strong>Teaching</strong></p> <p>Yes, I’m still teaching. I have one student at my studio, and I am scheduled this Spring to teach hand carving at the Cabrillo College Extension courses. More to come on that later.</p> <p><strong>Shows</strong></p> <p>T<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XqOVw4tgCGY/WHFmGZtjArI/AAAAAAAACJo/CyV67mvM4GI/s1600-h/Ron%252520w-barrel%252520organ-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ron w-barrel organ-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ron w-barrel organ-72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wh_ziF6RWjk/WHFmGkNv-yI/AAAAAAAACJs/bXwlRE1Zd8k/Ron%252520w-barrel%252520organ-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="198"></a>he last show I was in was the 12 x 12 (x12) exhibit at the Cabrillo College Gallery. My one piece sold right away, which was exciting, and I also won 3rd place in the voting for favorite pieces. Fun!</p> <p>Well, time to return to the studio and make more sawdust! </p> <p>That’s all for now. Once again, Happy New Year!</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-2174014210359607792016-09-13T13:55:00.000-07:002016-09-13T14:06:44.648-07:00Where’s Summer?<p>We’re a little over a week away from the end of Summer, and we’re still waiting for warm weather. While other parts of the country are still roasting, Santa Cruz has been under a cloud of fog since June. The few sunny days we’ve had were barely in the 70s. </p> <p>Usually, during the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour in October, we have beautiful weather. Fingers are crossed!</p> <p><strong>Open Studios 2016</strong></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hSeQ_vv9y90/V9hnn2bZ3wI/AAAAAAAACFg/b1ChxJIRjvU/s1600-h/Molly%252520Malone%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Molly Malone" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Molly Malone" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g86QVDRayfg/V9hnoL2n7gI/AAAAAAAACFk/XVFjEYwKUCw/Molly%252520Malone_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" align="right" height="355"></a>And speaking of Open Studios, this year my studio will be open the second and third weekends, October 8, 9 (North County), and 15, 16 (Encore weekend). My studio number in the artist guide this year is 220. </p> <p>The Artist Guide and the App (Apple and Android) are again free this year, and the Guide will be distributed in the September 19 issue of Good Times and available throughout Santa Cruz County. </p> <p>For more information, check out <a href="http://www.artscouncilsc.org">www.artscouncilsc.org</a>.</p> <p><strong>Anne and Mark’s Art Party</strong></p> <p>Coming up the last two weekends this month is the big Anne and Mark’s Art Party. It takes place at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The Gala Opening is Saturday, September 24, and gallery viewing days are September 25, 30, and October 1.</p> <p>For more information, check out <a title="https://artpartysj.com/" href="https://artpartysj.com/">https://artpartysj.com/</a>.</p> <p><strong>New Work</strong></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4sK0i5ig7II/V9hnodQUvlI/AAAAAAAACFo/VWb_gY9DW8Y/s1600-h/Number%2525201%252520Fan%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Number 1 Fan" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Number 1 Fan" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-41XodJ0wcwU/V9hnomguQkI/AAAAAAAACFs/oMAT6r2H_J4/Number%2525201%252520Fan_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="174"></a>I premiered several pieces of new sculptural work at the American Craft Show in San Francisco last month. The first is “My Number 1 Fan”. It is salvaged black walnut with a turquoise epoxy filler in the cracks and voids. It is approximately 6 inches high, 9 inches long, and 1 1/2 inches deep.</p> <p>The second is “My Biggest Fan”. It is also salvaged black walnut. It is 11 inches high, 16 inches long, and 5 inches deep at the base.</p> <p>I carved both of these sculptural pieces using my mini-chainsaw rotary carving <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIaPETV9ulw/V9hno_rdoVI/AAAAAAAACFw/28dekxCfvLY/s1600-h/Biggest%252520Fan1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Biggest Fan1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Biggest Fan1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u4B8TSg0mfA/V9hnpCrJenI/AAAAAAAACF0/X78meIYA_aE/Biggest%252520Fan1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="199"></a>tools. The Arbortech carver is the more powerful and can cut through hard woods with ease. The Merlin 2 carving tool is primarily for softer woods, but I did use the sanding disks on these pieces.</p> <p>I’ve spindle turned and carved candle sticks before, and they’ve sold quickly. This time I decided to do barley twist candlesticks. The barley twist is totally hand carved with circular rasps after turning the shafts as spindles.</p> <p> </p> <p>Again, these are black walnut. They are 15 inches tall, and the turned base is 5 1/2 inches in<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q6ZQ3n36-Hc/V9hnpYi7suI/AAAAAAAACF4/nVdaDEnV3hI/s1600-h/Barley%252520Twist%252520Candlesticks%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Barley Twist Candlesticks" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Barley Twist Candlesticks" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bJyQwHFZaF0/V9hnplv6uDI/AAAAAAAACF8/DdZq0yLFgcU/Barley%252520Twist%252520Candlesticks_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" align="right" height="260"></a> diameter. After carving the shaft, I hand carved the king and queen heads. Because these are salvaged woods, there are some voids. I again filled them with the turquoise epoxy.</p> <p>The new sculptures have been well recieved, and I’ll have others on display at my Open Studios in October.</p> <p><strong>In Process</strong></p> <p>I have two major projects in process right now. The first is a new Mountain dulcimer. The dulcimer has always been one of my favorite stringed instruments to make. I love the tone and the simplicity of playing, which is the purpose of these old folk instruments. Everyone can play one quite easily.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pLM1s_BJcWQ/V9hnp4TQ-jI/AAAAAAAACGA/UoPe9VxPV-U/s1600-h/New%252520Dulcimer%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="New Dulcimer" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="New Dulcimer" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RXfOp2pvYBI/V9hnqU93FHI/AAAAAAAACGE/tcDsXaITZn8/New%252520Dulcimer_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="left" height="199"></a>I had carved the head several years ago, and put it aside while working on other new pieces and on antique instrument restorations. (More on that later.) The body is koa, and the trim, not yet on, will be purpleheart. The head and tailpiece are a light walnut. It is the same size as my others, 36 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. I hope to have this finished by Open Studios.</p> <p>I’ve made well over 100 dulcimers since I started making them in 1972. Including other stringed instruments I’ve made, the number tops 200.</p> <p>The photo is from last week when I glued the top on.</p> <p>Another stringed instrument that has done well is my Symphonies, small hurdy gurdies. I made my first hurdy gurdy, some 25 years ago, from a kit, so I could <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-19iQ2nxMn8U/V9hnqsTCIgI/AAAAAAAACGI/0N5e_pum84s/s1600-h/Hurdy%252520Gurdy%252520in%252520process%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Hurdy Gurdy in process" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Hurdy Gurdy in process" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0zPZb5aAGO8/V9hnq3RZDDI/AAAAAAAACGM/Eye3tPGENTU/Hurdy%252520Gurdy%252520in%252520process_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="180"></a>learn how they work. Since then I’ve made two symphonies based on drawings in the 13th century Spanish illuminated manuscript called Cantigas des Santa Maria. Both sold.</p> <p>Now I’m working on a replica of a Baroque-style hurdy gurdy, which is much larger than the small symphonies. This is a long-term project, because there is much to do to the mechanics and decorations as I put it together. More news on this later.</p> <p>The photo shows the top and wheel being dry fitted to test the sizing. The head piece isn’t in place yet.</p> <p><strong>Restorations and Repairs</strong></p> <p>I recently finished restoring another Kumalae ukulele, my sixth, and another very fancy chord zither. I have two more Franz Schwarzer zithers scheduled through the end of this year, but the first won’t arrive until later this month or October.<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wzm_KxhrW0c/V9hnrBXjByI/AAAAAAAACGQ/5-Ytz5KdPFA/s1600-h/Zimmerman%252520autoharp%252520to%252520repair%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Zimmerman autoharp to repair" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Zimmerman autoharp to repair" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAgtFGFWhF8/V9hnrdm-c8I/AAAAAAAACGU/pfaLEAxxjOo/Zimmerman%252520autoharp%252520to%252520repair_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="169"></a></p> <p>In the meantime, I decided to start restoring some of the many antique zithers I have in storage. The first is a Zimmermann autoharp, model 2 3/4, from around 1895. It has a small crack in the back, but the frame is solid and there are no failed glue joints. It drastically needs cleaning, and some new buttons on the chord bars. This should take a few weeks at the most.</p> <p>Do you have an antique stringed instrument that’s very special to you? A family heirloom? A collection piece? I have openings in 2017 for you! To see the types of instruments I’ve worked on, check out my Repair Logs on my web site at <a title="http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html" href="http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html">http://www.roncookstudios.com/ron-cook-studios-repair-logs.html</a>. </p> <p>Well, that’s about it for now. The light rain has stopped, and the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. Time to get back into my studio!</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-48664676867750504982016-05-22T12:18:00.000-07:002016-05-22T12:24:55.032-07:00Santa Cruz Woodworkers Closing Reception at R. Blitzer Gallery<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>You are all invited to meet the artists and see their works once more at the closing reception of the Santa Cruz Woodworkers Exhibition at the R. Blitzer Gallery in Santa Cruz, Friday, May 27, from 5 to 9 pm. <p align="left">I'm also happy to say that due to the popularity of the show, it has now been extended through the Memorial Day weekend. Hours 12 to 5pm each day.<br></p> <p align="right"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/40392bd1-7ae3-4e76-b930-a80de27ec8da.jpg" width="321" height="408"></p></td></tr> <tr> <td> <p>Mountain Dulcimer: "Molly Malone"</p></td></tr></tbody></table></p> <p align="left">Exhibiting artists are Om Anand, Ron Cook (me), Ron Day, Roger Heitzman, Joshua Salesin, Michael Singer, Patrick Stafford, Gary Stevens, and Matthew Werner.</p> <p>Invited craftspeople are woodblock artists Andrea Rich and Aaron Johnson who will be displaying wood block prints along with some of the wood blocks they carved to create them. <p align="left">The exhibition is taking place at the R. Blitzer Gallery, second floor in the old Wrigley Building (follow the signs), at 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz. <p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/0230a7af-1de0-4dcf-9393-89b19cebe616.jpg" width="545" height="399"></p> <p>Hope to see you all there!</p></td></tr></tbody></table>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-89820496955125997752016-04-29T14:32:00.000-07:002016-04-29T14:33:32.881-07:00It’s Showtime!<p>After planning and scheduling for nearly two years, the <a href="http://www.santacruzwoodworkers.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Woodworkers</a>, of which I’m a founding member, will be exhibiting at the <a href="http://rblitzergallery.com/" target="_blank">R. Blitzer Gallery</a> in Santa Cruz during the month of May. The show runs from First Friday, May 6, through May 28th. The First Friday reception is from 5 to 9 pm.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wygoUljaWTI/VyPS7Kp-ihI/AAAAAAAAB3o/3MHZTYYakAo/s1600-h/SCWW%252520Blitzer%252520postcard_5x7-final2-72dpi%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="SCWW Blitzer postcard_5x7-final2-72dpi" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="SCWW Blitzer postcard_5x7-final2-72dpi" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eOLt9ZY3MGM/VyPS7bcJG8I/AAAAAAAAB3s/8miNOSf1IX0/SCWW%252520Blitzer%252520postcard_5x7-final2-72dpi_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="350"></a></p> <p>And on a similar note, the new May/June issue of <a href="http://www.woodwest.com/" target="_blank">Woodworker West</a> arrived the other day. In it is a feature article on the Santa Cruz Woodworkers and the R. Blitzer Gallery Show.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6HbTHGKUDQA/VyPS7sP5DQI/AAAAAAAAB3w/xuUhlfeRPzA/s1600-h/Woodworker-West-page1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Woodworker-West-page1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Woodworker-West-page1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6cIxACV3xjg/VyPS7-W9h_I/AAAAAAAAB30/jI3lyghTd7w/Woodworker-West-page1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="682" height="897"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mWNV_gVYmjk/VyPS8Ij5D2I/AAAAAAAAB34/Yg1TCE1sP6E/s1600-h/Woodworker-West-page2%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Woodworker-West-page2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Woodworker-West-page2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0F_OTLhnUOo/VyPS8vUfPhI/AAAAAAAAB38/MRU5ptO79KQ/Woodworker-West-page2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="685" height="937"></a></p> <p>That’s it for this time! Onward through the fog…</p>Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-87638850226187390152016-04-02T14:27:00.000-07:002016-04-02T14:27:07.695-07:00All the news that’s fit to print…<p><strong>Santa Cruz Woodworkers Exhibition</strong> <p>Santa Cruz Woodworkers are moving along with new works in preparation for the upcoming exhibition of custom woodworks by the nine-member group: Om Anand, Ron Day, Roger Heitzman, Joshua Salesin, Michael Singer, Patrick Stafford, Gary Stevens, Matthew Werner, and myself, Ron Cook. We are very excited to be back together again for a show five years after the extremely successful one we had at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. <p>Invited craftspeople are woodblock artists Andrea Rich and Aaron Johnson who will be displaying wood block prints along with the wood blocks they carved to create them. <p>The exhibition will take place at the R. Blitzer Gallery, in the old Wrigley Building, at 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, May 6 through 28. The reception is on First Friday, May 6, from 5 to 9 PM. <p><strong>Recent Shows</strong> <p><strong></strong> <p>I was very pleased to have been one of three winners of the People's Choice award at the annual 12 x 12 (x 12) show in the Cabrillo College Gallery. My kinetic wall sculpture is the first of a fun new direction I'm taking in my work. <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" hspace="0" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/50aa0727-f85d-4d49-b5a7-0b1b84bb83db.jpg?ver=1457031271000" width="420" height="288"> <p align="center"><strong>Kinetic Sculpture #1 - Heads and Gears</strong> <p><a name="LETTER.BLOCK6"></a> <p><strong>In The Studio</strong> <p>I try to take time each day to work on new pieces in my studio. This doesn't always work out, what with antique instrument restorations (see below), and finishing up the remodeling of my garage workshop, but at least I think about working on new pieces every day. (Ok, every other day!) <p>There's a "surprise" musical sculpture I'm working on that I plan to have completed for the Santa Cruz Woodworkers Exhibition in May. (You'll have to see it to believe it!) <p>As you can see in the following photo, I have a lot of carving to do. Dulcimer noters, spoons, framed figures, whistles, and barley-twist candlesticks. <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/d4709767-6f7b-41c2-8bd2-5628f0ef5344.jpg" width="386" height="288"> <p>My garage workshop houses the large power tools: table saw, band saw, drum sander, belt and disk sander, and jointer. To keep dust out and away from the side of the garage where my wife keeps her car, I recently built a wall down the middle and installed all new electrical outlets and lighting. Now I won't be tripping circuit breakers any more! <p>I have a dust collection attachment on my shop vacuum, but I do plan to install a dust collection system that will attach to each power tool, similar to what I have in my carving studio. <p><a name="LETTER.BLOCK10"></a> <p><strong>Old Instruments and Repairs</strong> <p>I've been surprised by the number of antique instrument restorations that have come my way so far this year. I recently completed another 1890-1900 German concert zither, and today, hopefully, I'll finish a 1924 Kulmalae Ukulele. Another German concert zither arrived a few weeks ago with an 1881 date penciled inside, and I'm expecting a chord zither to be delivered later this week. <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" hspace="0" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/18d34cfc-ea41-4675-b1d7-1d1473fc23d5.jpg" width="319" height="202"> <p align="center"><strong>German Concert Zither</strong> <p>I often receive e-mails and calls from people who have recently purchased or found antique zithers, dulcimers, and other stringed instruments. Some were inherited from parents or grandparents, and some are from collections or are personal favorites. As old as they are, the instruments quite often need restoration or repair to make them playable again. If the instrument is only to be displayed, conservation is an option. <p>I'm always interested in restoring, repairing, or conserving unusual and different instruments with a history. My basic fee starts at $350 for major work. (For minor repairs, such as new strings, small crack repairs, cleaning, etc., contact me for costs.) Please send photos of areas that are damaged or in need of TLC to me at my <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">email address</a>. For major repairs, I provide a complimentary repair log. <p>If you have <strong>inherited</strong> a stringed instrument, such as a zither, dulcimer, or other zither-style instrument, or even old ukuleles, or know of someone who has, it is tremendously easy to have the instrument made a functional part of living history for a very modest investment, whether it is ever played again or displayed as a family heirloom. If you have old photos of family members playing the instrument, be sure to send them along as well. <p><strong>Behind the scenes:</strong> <p><strong>roncook Etsy shop</strong> <p>My Esty shop is popular all over the world! I have been "favorited" by people as far away as Latvia and China. Sales have gone to Canada and Italy, as well as New Hampshire, Illinois, and Georgia and as close by as Salinas, just down the highway! Here's how to reach my shop: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook">https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook</a>. You may set up a free account on Etsy to preview and purchase any other items offered for sale. <p><strong>New Students</strong> <p>If you are interested in learning how to carve, learning general woodworking skills, or learning about the history and construction of early European (medieval) or early American (19th century) stringed instruments, please contact me at<strong> </strong><a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">ron@roncookstudios.com</a>. During the instrument course, the student will learn about the evolution of stringed instruments, research a particular instrument, create working drawings, and build it. Open to all, especially interested high school and college students . All students choose wood from my wood stash! <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">E-mail me for more information</a><strong>.</strong> <p><strong>Folk Art Corner: Items from special wood</strong> <p>If you have some wood that has come from a "special tree" or are planning to remove a tree that has played an important role in your life or your family's life, please contact me to see what we can create to memorialize it. Suggestions: spoons, small instruments, small stools. <p><strong>Shows</strong> <p>After taking a break last year from doing shows (other than Open Studios), I will be returning to the San Francisco American Craft Council Show at Fort Mason, August 5-7. This is always an exciting show, with over 200 fabulous craft artists who come from far and wide. More news to come. Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-46455672236711152542016-04-02T10:36:00.000-07:002016-04-02T10:36:19.049-07:00All the news that’s fit to print…<strong>Santa Cruz Woodworkers Exhibition</strong>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Santa Cruz Woodworkers are moving along with new works in preparation for the
upcoming exhibition of custom woodworks by the nine-member group: Om Anand, Ron
Day, Roger Heitzman, Joshua Salesin, Michael Singer, Patrick Stafford, Gary
Stevens, Matthew Werner, and myself, Ron Cook. We are very excited to be back
together again for a show five years after the extremely successful one we had
at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Invited craftspeople are woodblock artists Andrea Rich and Aaron Johnson who
will be displaying wood block prints along with the wood blocks they carved to
create them. <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The exhibition will take place at the R. Blitzer Gallery, in the old Wrigley
Building, at 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, May 6 through 28. The reception is
on First Friday, May 6, from 5 to 9 PM.
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> <div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Recent Shows</strong>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was very pleased to have been one of three winners of the People's Choice
award at the annual 12 x 12 (x 12) show in the Cabrillo College Gallery. My
kinetic wall sculpture, "Heads and Gears" is the first of a fun new direction I'm taking in my
work.
<img border="0" height="288" hspace="0" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/50aa0727-f85d-4d49-b5a7-0b1b84bb83db.jpg?ver=1457031271000" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="420" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>In The Studio<br /></strong>I try to take time each day to work on new pieces in my studio. This doesn't
always work out, what with antique instrument restorations (see below), and
finishing up the remodeling of my garage workshop, but at least I think about
working on new pieces every day. (Ok, every other day!)
There's a "surprise" musical sculpture I'm working on that I plan to have
completed for the Santa Cruz Woodworkers Exhibition in May. (You'll have to see
it to believe it!)
As you can see in the following photo, I have a lot of carving to do.
Dulcimer noters, spoons, framed figures, whistles, and barley-twist
candlesticks.
<img border="0" height="288" hspace="5" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/d4709767-6f7b-41c2-8bd2-5628f0ef5344.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" vspace="5" width="386" /><div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
My garage workshop houses the large power tools: table saw, band saw, drum
sander, belt and disk sander, and jointer. To keep dust out and away from the
side of the garage where my wife keeps her car, I recently built a wall down the
middle and installed all new electrical outlets and lighting. Now I won't be
tripping circuit breakers any more! <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have a dust collection attachment on my shop vacuum, but I do plan to
install a dust collection system that will attach to each power tool, similar to
what I have in my carving studio. <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Old Instruments and Repairs</strong><div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been surprised by the number of antique instrument restorations that
have come my way so far this year. I recently completed another 1890-1900 German
concert zither, and today, hopefully, I'll finish a 1924 Kulmalae Ukulele.
Another German concert zither arrived a few weeks ago with an 1881 date penciled
inside, and I'm expecting a chord zither to be delivered later this week. <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="202" hspace="0" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/18d34cfc-ea41-4675-b1d7-1d1473fc23d5.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="319" />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I often receive e-mails and calls from people who have recently purchased or
found antique zithers, dulcimers, and other stringed instruments. Some were
inherited from parents or grandparents, and some are from collections or are
personal favorites. As old as they are, the instruments quite often need
restoration or repair to make them playable again. If the instrument is only to
be displayed, conservation is an option. <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm always interested in restoring, repairing, or conserving unusual and
different instruments with a history. My basic fee starts at $350 for major
work. (For minor repairs, such as new strings, small crack repairs, cleaning,
etc., contact me for costs.) Please send photos of areas that are damaged or in
need of TLC to me at my <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com"><span style="color: #c77016;">email
address</span></a>. For major repairs, I provide a complimentary repair log.
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you have <strong>inherited</strong> a stringed instrument, such as a
zither, dulcimer, or other zither-style instrument, or even old ukuleles, or
know of someone who has, it is tremendously easy to have the instrument made a
functional part of living history for a very modest investment, whether it is
ever played again or displayed as a family heirloom. If you have old photos of
family members playing the instrument, be sure to send them along as well. <div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><strong><br />roncook Etsy shop</strong>
My Esty shop is popular all over the world! I have been "favorited" by people
as far away as Latvia and China. Sales have gone to Canada and Italy, as well as
New Hampshire, Illinois, and Georgia and as close by as Salinas, just down the
highway! Here's how to reach my shop: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook"><span style="color: #c77016;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook</span></a>.
You may set up a free account on Etsy to preview and purchase any other items
offered for sale. <br /><strong>New Students</strong>
If you are interested in learning how to carve, learning general woodworking
skills, or learning about the history and construction of early European
(medieval) or early American (19th century) stringed instruments, please contact
me at<strong> </strong><a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com"><span style="color: #c77016;">ron@roncookstudios.com</span></a>. During the
instrument course, the student will learn about the evolution of stringed
instruments, research a particular instrument, create working drawings, and
build it. Open to all, especially interested high school and college students .
All students choose wood from my wood stash! <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com"><span style="color: #c77016;">E-mail me for more
information</span></a><strong>.</strong> <strong>Items from special wood</strong>
If you have some wood that has come from a "special tree" or are planning to
remove a tree that has played an important role in your life or your family's
life, please contact me to see what we can create to memorialize it.
Suggestions: spoons, small instruments, small stools. <strong>Shows</strong>
After taking a break last year from doing shows (other than Open Studios), I
will be returning to the San Francisco American Craft Council Show at Fort
Mason, August 5-7. This is always an exciting show, with over 200 fabulous craft
artists who come from far and wide. More news to come. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-67835209650279473432015-09-18T14:32:00.001-07:002015-09-18T14:32:46.343-07:00Sabbatical: Planned & Unplanned!Toward the end of last year, I was planning on taking a sabbatical from my
craft for at least the first half of 2015. Our home was about to be remodeled,
and we had to pack up and move temporarily to another Santa Cruz location. By
the end of June, we moved back into our wonderful "new" home, and I was ready to
get back to work. Also, I was getting ready to teach another woodcarving class
at Cabrillo College the end of July.
Now for the "unplanned" part of my sabbatical: I "blew out" my back! After
all the moving, I started to have severe back pain that laid me up for several
weeks. I had to cancel teaching at Cabrillo, as well as cancel my own students
here at my studio and cancel my appearance at the American Craft Council Show. I
couldn't even go see it, much to my huge disappointment. Turns out I have a
ruptured disk in my lower back. It is naturally healing now, and the pain is
gone. However, it takes approximately 6 months to heal. I'm back in the studio
again carving and woodturning and getting ready for Open Studios (see below for
more information). I'm also finally finishing up another zither restoration
(also see below), but I have to watch my posture and not do any heavy lifting.
As the old saying goes, "time heals all wounds."
But other than that, we are ecstatic about our remodeled home. New formal
entry, larger kitchen, office nook, and, for Ron Cook Studios, a permanent
gallery in the back of the house right next to my studio. Here's the before and
after pictures of the front with the new formal entry. We waited a long time for
this. <br />
<br />
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Before
After</td></tr>
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Onward and upward... <br />
<br />
<strong><u>Open Studios Art Tour 2015</u></strong> <br />
<br />
<img align="right" border="0" height="334" hspace="5" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/65a1b20f-b47e-4c43-88b9-caf0b9185721.jpg" vspace="5" width="216" />Yes, it's that time of year again. The<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f8vc5NR-tNs4Ur7jN8sFMmojmE-gx8rqyAuc_jSzCb4Lvu9cZdDp7SMTetzqnd93gx5jcSTJXpj5pABVEBiibwtC8z_uGmZJTaoDR9f-DJhcAD772R3FCbCN1H867sskNskAfDZYumU="><span style="color: #c77016;">
Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour</span></a> is coming up on the first three
weekends in October. Events leading up to the Tour begin with the opening of the
Preview Exhibit at the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f8vc5NR-tNs4Ur7jN8sFMmojmE-gx8rqyAuc_jSzCb4Lvu9cZdDp7SMTetzqnd93gx5jcSTJXpjxXc2YHbllOvseRTXE4Kg-wEuHcE_958U="><span style="color: #c77016;">Santa
Cruz Art League</span></a> on September 26th, and the "meet the artists" reception on
Sunday, September 27th from 3 to 6. At the reception you can meet many of the
Open Studios artists, see a representative sample of artists' works, listen to
live music, and enjoy tasty treats and libations.
The Open Studios Art Tour happens throughout Santa Cruz County. This is a
juried event showcasing around 300 of the best artists in the county. With so
many to see, the tour is divided between North County and South County artists.
I am in North County, and my studio will be open from 11 to 5 on October 3 and
4. I will also be open for the Encore Weekend, October 17 and 18. Note that
South County artists will be open October 10 and 11.
For information on all artists, with maps directing you to them, get the
Artist Guide ($5) at locations throughout the county. The IOS and Android apps
will be available soon. The guide will also be available for free in the
September 30th issue of the Good Times. For more information, visit the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f8vc5NR-tNs4Ur7jN8sFMmojmE-gx8rqyAuc_jSzCb4Lvu9cZdDp7SMTetzqnd93gx5jcSTJXpj5pABVEBiibwtC8z_uGmZJTaoDR9f-DJhcAD772R3FCbCN1H867sskNskAfDZYumU="><span style="color: #c77016;">Arts
Council of Santa Cruz County website</span></a>.<br />
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<strong><u>Cabrillo College Fall Arts 2015</u></strong>
<strong>Wood Carving with Rotary Carving Tools</strong><br />
<br />
Because students
like my carving classes and consistently give me good reviews, I was asked to
teach a new two day woodcarving class at Cabrillo College for the Summer Arts
extension courses. Because of my severe back problem, I sadly had to cancel this
class. I'm doing much better, so the Wood Carving with Rotary Carving Tools
class is now rescheduled for the Fall Arts extension program on two Sundays,
October 25 and November 1. <br />
<br />
I will be teaching carving using hand-held rotary carving tools, like the one
seen in the photo below. The class isn't full yet, so if you'd like to learn
carving, or increase your carving skills, sign up on the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f8vc5NR-tNs4Ur7jN8sFMmojmE-gx8rqyAuc_jSzCb4Lvu9cZdDp7SMTetzqnd93gx5jcSTJXpgOKrfUuJ9p_s2vLVC6RP68QyLzzFeijYUO98MPFWhKWifWTJvKhL1lRyLOlLXAXryQmPGhUm6qAauww_jKhW1GGiEx6JJjscU="><span style="color: #c77016;">Ca</span></a><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f8vc5NR-tNs4Ur7jN8sFMmojmE-gx8rqyAuc_jSzCb4Lvu9cZdDp7SMTetzqnd93gx5jcSTJXpgOKrfUuJ9p_s2vLVC6RP68QyLzzFeijYUO98MPFWhKWifWTJvKhL1lRyLOlLXAXryQmPGhUm6qAauww_jKhW1GGiEx6JJjscU="><span style="color: #c77016;">brillo
Extensions Fall Arts web page</span></a>. <br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="432" hspace="5" src="https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/0b983e78001/cf37e3d7-f4a1-4aed-84ea-fa8fc328241c.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" vspace="5" width="324" />
<br />
In this 2-day workshop, beginning students will learn the fundamentals of
wood carving using powered rotary carving tools, and intermediate students will
be guided in additional power carving techniques and styles. Participants will
work on small sculptural carvings using flex-shaft-style rotary carving tools.
Topics covered are safety, types of carving tools, the best woods and materials
for carving, styles, and finishing. After instruction and demonstrations on the
properties and characteristics of different woods and materials, students will
practice what they have learned on examples to be taken home.
Cabrillo has a selection of rotary power carving tools and bits with which to
experiment. If you prefer, you can also bring in your own rotary tools. Practice
materials will be included, but bring your own ideas so that we may discuss
them. <br />
<br />
<strong>Class is limited to 12 students, so register soon!</strong><br />
Fees:
$195, plus $25 materials fee (payable upon
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<strong>Meanwhile, In The Studio</strong> <br />
<br />
Ch-ch-ch-changes.
After moving back into our remodeled home, I had to start getting the new
gallery space arranged, rearrange the attic for Ron Cook Studios storage, and
lay new paving stones leading into the studio. I also planned to finish several
small carvings and start several more, all for Open Studios, and finish a zither
restoration. Of course, first I had to let my back heal, which made me a little
anxious about being able to get everything done in time. Well, my back got
better, so I finished the gallery, laid paving stones, got some carvings done,
and I'm finally stringing up the restored zither.<br />
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Student with Turned and Hand-carved
Whistle<br />
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During the late summer I had a new 12-year-old student who wanted to increase
her woodturning knowledge. She enjoyed several lessons during her time between
Summer camps and school. She's young, but already knew the basics of
woodturning. Seeing her work, and seeing the results of her work, makes me
believe she is a budding woodcraft talent.
My other student is getting close to finishing a lovely tenor ukulele. She's
at that long sanding and finishing process that will soon give the uke a very
smooth surface. <br />
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Student Project: Ukulele. Lots of
Sanding<br />
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Starting early in 2016, I will have space for one or two more students at my
studio. I teach wood carving, musical instrument building, wood turning, and
general woodwork. I encourage each student to develop his or her own style.
Outside my studio the walkway and flagstone patio area was filled with small
pebbles that always got scattered and caught in "waffle-stomper" shoe soles.
After our front walkway of cobble stones was finished, we had quite a few odd
sizes and shapes left over. I decided to use them to redo the walkway to my
shop.<br />
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Sweeping Sand to Fill Voids</div>
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I used special "filling" sand to fill all the joints and small openings
throughout the cobbles. I also prepped the flagstone (weeded and opened joints)
and filled them with the same sand. This type of sand has a binding agent in it
that when moistened hardens like concrete. Turned out nice.
Meanwhile, in the new Gallery, I finally finished and installed all the new
instrument hangers. I designed them to include tracks for track lighting to help
illuminate my pieces when showing them for Open Studios. I picked up some very
nice 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 poplar that I ripped down and sized for each wall in the
gallery. I'm happy with the results. </td></tr>
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<td><strong>Old Instruments and Repairs</strong> <br />
<br />
I've been embarrassed that my current zither repair has taken so long.
Between moving twice during our home remodel and having my back problem, it's
taken much longer to finish the zither than usual. I'm glad to say that now that
my back is doing better, I've been able to spend some time finishing the
instrument. I'm now stringing it up, and I should be done by the time you read
this. Now I have to sit down and write the repair log!<br />
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Installing New Strings</div>
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I still occasionally get e-mails and calls from people who have recently
purchased or found antique zithers, dulcimers, and other stringed instruments.
Some were inherited from parents or grandparents, and some are from collections
or are personal favorites. As old as they are, the instruments quite often need
restoration or repair to make them playable again. If the instrument is only to
be displayed, conservation is an option for them.
I'm always interested in restoring, repairing, or conserving unusual and
different instruments with a history. My basic fee starts at $350 for major
work. For minor repairs, such as new strings, small crack repairs, cleaning,
etc., contact me for costs. Please send photos of areas that are damaged or in
need of TLC to me at my <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com"><span style="color: #c77016;">email
address</span></a>. For major repairs, I provide a complimentary repair log.
If you have <strong>inherited</strong> a stringed instrument, such as a
zither, dulcimer, or other zither-style instrument, or even old ukuleles, or
know of someone who has, it is tremendously easy to have the instrument made a
functional part of living history for a very modest investment, whether it is
ever played again or displayed as a family heirloom. If you have old photos of
family members playing the instrument, be sure to send them along as
well.</td></tr>
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<td><strong><u>Behind the scenes:</u></strong>
<strong><u>roncook Etsy shop</u></strong> <br />
<br />
My Esty shop is popular all over the world! I have been "favorited" by people
as far away as Latvia and China. Sales have gone to Canada and Italy, as well as
New Hampshire, Illinois, and Georgia! Here's how to reach my shop: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001f8vc5NR-tNs4Ur7jN8sFMmojmE-gx8rqyAuc_jSzCb4Lvu9cZdDp7SMTetzqnd93GUB26mWQ5Vvn30zatzc4_1WQBG2NrnV-8NRWMeTbRaVY_euCRD-jnrVH91Q2FO7N"><span style="color: #c77016;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook</span></a>.
You may set up a free account on Etsy to preview and purchase any other items
offered for sale. <br />
<br />
<strong><u>New Students</u></strong> <br />
<br />
If you are interested in learning how to carve, learning general woodworking
skills, or learning about the history and construction of early European
(medieval) or early American (19th century) stringed instruments, please contact
me at<strong> </strong><a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com"><span style="color: #c77016;">ron@roncookstudios.com</span></a>. During the
instrument course, the student will learn about the evolution of stringed
instruments, research a particular instrument, create working drawings, and
build it. Open to all, especially interested high school and college students .
All students choose wood from my wood stash! <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com"><span style="color: #c77016;">E-mail me for more
information</span></a><strong>.</strong>
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Folk Art Corner: Items from special wood</u></strong> <br />
<br />
If you have some wood that has come from a "special tree" or are planning to
remove a tree that has played an important role in your life or your family's
life, please contact me to see what we can create to memorialize it.
Suggestions: spoons, small instruments, small stools. <br />
<br />
<strong><u>Recent Shows</u></strong> <br />
<br />
I said no shows this year, but I was in three already, proudly showing my
new sculptures and one new instrument, completed just before the remodel
started. I also did not plan to do Open Studios this year as part of my
sabbatical, but... I did apply and was accepted for my 14th year. I am Studio #
30, and open October 3 & 4, and 17 & 18.
As I mentioned above, I will be at the The Open Studios Preview Exhibit
Public Reception, Sunday, September 27, from 3 to 6, at the Santa Cruz Art
League, 526 Broadway, in Santa Cruz. Be sure to stop in to see my piece and say
hello. There will be hundreds of other great Santa Cruz County artists there
too. (All pieces are for sale at the Art League.) Get the Artist Guide ($5 at
many stores and galleries, or free in the Good Times September 30th) and plan
your visits to view and purchase wonderful arts and crafts, and learn how
artists work and create those pieces. Above all, get out and have
fun!</td></tr>
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Onward…</td></tr>
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Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-58492354938211200572014-12-26T17:07:00.001-08:002014-12-26T17:07:25.770-08:00Happy Holidays 2014<p>It was a beautiful, sunny, cool Christmas day here in Santa Cruz. The sun is a welcome respite from the drenching we received for several weeks. We do need much more rain (we’re still in drought mode), but hopefully it won’t come in torrential downpours like it did a few weeks ago.</p> <p>So, what’s been happening here since my last blog entry? In my last blog, I was just getting ready to be part of the Open Studios Art Tour. Unfortunately, after 13 years of decent sales, this was the first time there were no sales. Well, try, try again next year.</p> <p>At the end of October and start of November I once again taught a woodcarving class at Cabrillo College. It was a small class of six people who all showed some talent that, with practice, could someday be very good carvers. One who exhibited very good talent is now one of my students here at my studio. I have three wonderful students who come nearly every week for two hour sessions. Classes range from carving, to wood turning, to instrument making, to general wood working. It’s great to see the progress each of them make.</p> <p>In November, after teaching, I took a break. A friend of mine and I went on a short vacation. I started by driving to his place in Sacramento where we had a great time sampling craft beers and eating at new up-and-coming pubs and restaurants. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YUqX7Kmubx8/VJ4GMO2f0qI/AAAAAAAABjs/tifSn95Ftjs/s1600-h/Mercey-Hot-Springs12.jpg"><img title="Mercey Hot Springs" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 6px 16px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mercey Hot Springs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYImgWaYMcc/VJ4GMi_5UGI/AAAAAAAABjw/Sk-LM94t6AI/Mercey-Hot-Springs_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" align="left" height="217"></a>The next day we drove to Mercey Hot Springs, which is 20-30 miles south of Los Banos. There is an artesian mineral hot spring there that Indians have known about for hundreds of years. In 1912 a land developer bought the property and began building cabins and baths. In the photo, the two left cabins are where my friend and I stayed. These are originals built around 1915. Small, cozy, with gas heaters and a front porch with table and chairs, where we had wine, cheese, French bread, etc. The water in the baths is slightly sulfurous, but warm (around 102-105), and pleasant.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FhgKovfnFFg/VJ4GNHWpemI/AAAAAAAABj4/7eyw2H66S6Q/s1600-h/Pinnicles%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pinnicles 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 11px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pinnicles 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QoZXRXcofpY/VJ4GNVeyZSI/AAAAAAAABkE/4lVIUEibiQQ/Pinnicles%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" align="right" height="433"></a>We did some hiking at Mercey, but the next day we went all out! We drove first to Tres Pinos for breakfast, then, by 10am, we were starting our 10 mile hike at Pinnacles National Park. We first hiked through the caves, then up and over the Ridge Trail. It threatened rain all day, but held off for the six hours we were on the trails. The Pinnacles are nice to visit any time of the year, but Spring time is really the best, with incredible wild flowers in bloom and the chance to see some of the growing population of California condors. Summer can be very hot, so bring lots of water. (Bring water anyway if you’re hiking any time of year.)</p> <p>We spent the second evening at Mercey and left the next morning for the ghost town of New Idria, on the end of a rough, unmaintained road high in San Benito County mountains. New Idria was a quicksilver (mercury) mine that ran from the gold rush days up into the 1970s. Because of the mercury and lead contamination, that is still leaching out of the mines, machinery, and tailings, the main part of the town was fenced off in 2011 as a Superfund site.The creek that flows through New Idria is a sickly orange color. Contaminants from the mine have been traced as far away as the San Jaoquin River, which flows to the San Francisco Bay. Hopefully, a cleanup will happen soon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ozUIcREtIZs/VJ4GN0An6bI/AAAAAAAABkI/8WWZEIU11wg/s1600-h/New%252520Idria1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="New Idria1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="New Idria1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f5lsiCwE7hk/VJ4GOb_1E2I/AAAAAAAABkU/lnSSo-Dr0ys/New%252520Idria1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" align="left" height="264"></a></p> <p>This was a fun trip. Mercey Hot Springs was so remote, it is totally off the grid. For a relaxing time away from electronic devices, television, phones, etc., this is the place to go. For great hiking, camping, or picnicking, head for Pinnacles National Park. (It’s only a few hours from San Jose! Day trips are big there.) New Idria? It is a piece of gold fever history. However, there are no signs, no historical references, or no one around to ask about it. There are many references online, but nothing at the site.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Recent Work</strong></p> <p>Not much recent work happening on the instrument and furniture side of my crafting life. My wife and I are getting ready for a major remodel of our home, and we’ve been packing everything away and putting it in storage. I’m taking a sabbatical from Ron Cook Studios for at least 6 months, while I make new furniture pieces for our new home. I’ll be creating several live-edge pieces, including a new mantel for the fireplace, new coffee and end tables, and a raised live-edge counter on the kitchen island.</p> <p>To keep the sawdust flying, I recently finished what is called The Milkman’s Workbench. I saved an article from the June, 2013, issue of Popular Woodworking, last year because I thought I’d like to make it. I found enough good pieces of wood in my stash to put one together, so I decided to finally do it. It took only a few days to make. This type of workbench is small, but handy for craftspeople who work in small spaces, like apartments or tiny workshops. It’s also handy for taking along for carving demonstrations.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vzm4tNcAH38/VJ4GOl5oRvI/AAAAAAAABkY/1Bd1WTa5Q78/s1600-h/Milkman%252520workbench%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Milkman workbench 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Milkman workbench 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KLatXIOpI-c/VJ4GPDjJzxI/AAAAAAAABkg/yit5ifNeSQ0/Milkman%252520workbench%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="224"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aDo5gmv0MEQ/VJ4GPWqQ3PI/AAAAAAAABks/Aq5dquaooVI/s1600-h/Milkman%252520workbench-magazine%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Milkman workbench-magazine" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Milkman workbench-magazine" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1rdrkP2FCyE/VJ4GP5WDmiI/AAAAAAAABkw/rtPkMgU7REA/Milkman%252520workbench-magazine_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="225"></a></p> <p align="left">The kitchen part of our remodel will have two new sinks. There’s a regular kitchen sink, and a bar sink on the island. To be able to cut vegetables over the sink, I’m putting together a cutting board that <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9HaeNdIBN0/VJ4GQXBqvYI/AAAAAAAABk8/lkUKBWlb5VQ/s1600-h/IMG_0888%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0888" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 3px 0px 0px 7px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0888" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-emZwAObF-8U/VJ4GQi3HCII/AAAAAAAABlA/0jolENhDi_M/IMG_0888_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="199"></a>will fit nicely over one of the sinks. It is all salvaged urban forest wood from an old apple tree. The tree died and the owner gave me the trunk and a couple of thick branches. The tree had rotted in the middle, but I was still able to salvage some very good sections. I ripped it into boards and it has been drying for over a year. A few months ago I cut a couple of the boards into one inch square pieces, then started gluing them together. I’ll finish this after we get the sinks so I can fit it properly.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VXOIkGyaQa4/VJ4GRIHWHBI/AAAAAAAABlI/9Lg_Q-80cMA/s1600-h/Pen%252520turning%252520set%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pen turning set" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pen turning set" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rPkZO7b2NRo/VJ4GRTR0UBI/AAAAAAAABlQ/8KfjrCRP6oA/Pen%252520turning%252520set_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" align="left" height="249"></a></p> <p>I’ve been doing a lot of woodturning, and a couple of my students have too. For smaller turnings, like pens, small spindles, or the noters like I do, I picked up a set of mini carbide turning tools. (Christmas present for myself!) These stay sharp much longer than standard turning tools and work well on my mini lathe.</p> <p>Another present I got for myself is a new set of 8 inch dado blades for my table saw. I’ve been using an old 6 inch set for 30 years, and it’s been too hard to keep sharp. After nearly “burning” my way through a project, I bit the bullet (when a sale popped up) and got a new set of Freud dado blades. They cut through maple like going through butter! </p> <p>Well, that’s about it for now. When I start working on the new furniture pieces for our remodel, I’ll be posting pictures of the processes, from start to finish, on my blog. Stay tuned!</p> <p>I hope everyone has had a wonderful Holiday Season, and, to everyone, Happy New Year!</p> Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-88379633355081334572014-09-27T11:05:00.001-07:002014-09-27T11:09:07.740-07:00Ch…ch…changes!<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="100%"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Boy, it seems like Summer flew by here in Santa Cruz! It wasn’t the warmest, or sunniest, of Summers, and I am looking forward to the warm, clear Fall days we usually have in September and during the Open Studios Art Tour in October. Open Studios is just one thing happening in my arts & crafts world. Read on...</p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong><u>Upcoming Soon!</u></strong> <p><strong></strong> <p><strong><u>Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour</u></strong> <p><strong></strong> <p>It's that time of year again. The first three weekends in October are when the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019D77SscX-Z2V6tO-q950tAbwn0dg8CNxG7lYnZV1Ofj45NrkF5kIpJ_Syn_DFgg8wHnAwWWb2jP27fISlL173ILucZxHpRi1I90q4qGSwg2-C2UXPUfKgeho2N-iRCpXPOhzNmDkpeHoj8wHH2LUG3DIGFTcqTA_-0y_f7zPP04foMV6l5bzScl2E037hvqrG-fwZ_epas8=&c=MTBGontPfV68UswTU_lest9Viy3Sfzbo7B5MyxxHghf0PcJ3KkIGow==&ch=1vLKRqAqouK-Vfd9EdpBmcqvYLF-VkzMtr_pHT8s_oEvgkcyTrDmfg==">Open Studios Art Tour 2014</a> happens! This is a juried event, so you can be sure you will be seeing the best artists and craftspeople in Santa Cruz County. The first weekend, October 4 & 5, is for South County artists. The second weekend, October 11 & 12, is for <p>North County artists (where I am). The third weekend, October 18 & 19, is Encore Weekend, which includes artists in the entire county.<img style="float: right; display: inline" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs151/1101791463856/img/232.jpg" width="303" align="right" height="320"> <p>You can start your tour now by purchasing the <strong><i>Open Studios Art Tour 2014 Guide </i></strong>or the<strong><i> Open Studios Art Tour App</i></strong> (iTunes and Google Play). With either, you can pick the artists you want to see and chart your course on the enclosed maps or your device. Guides are available at many locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties. For more information on Open Studios and where to find guides and the app, go to the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019D77SscX-Z2V6tO-q950tAbwn0dg8CNxG7lYnZV1Ofj45NrkF5kIpJ_Syn_DFgg8wHnAwWWb2jP27fISlL173ILucZxHpRi1I90q4qGSwg2-C2UXPUfKgeho2N-iRCpXPOhzNmDkpeHoj8wHH2LUG3DIGFTcqTA_-0y_f7zPP04foMV6l5bzScl2E037hvqrG-fwZ_epas8=&c=MTBGontPfV68UswTU_lest9Viy3Sfzbo7B5MyxxHghf0PcJ3KkIGow==&ch=1vLKRqAqouK-Vfd9EdpBmcqvYLF-VkzMtr_pHT8s_oEvgkcyTrDmfg==">Arts Council Santa Cruz County website</a>. <p>To help you decide which artists to see, a preview exhibit, showing pieces by nearly all Open Studios Artists, is at the Santa Cruz Art League September 27 through October 19. An artists' reception is on September 28, from 3 to 6, at the Art League. You can also purchase guides at the Art League. <p><img style="float: left; display: inline" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs151/1101791463856/img/239.jpg" width="207" align="left" height="303"></p> <p>My studio, number 269 in the Tour Guide, will be open from 11 to 5 on the second and third weekends, October 11-12 and 18-19. <p>I will be showing most of my furniture and instruments from the last few years, plus a few surprises. As a little personal preview, the following is one of my newer pieces on the front of my Open Studios postcard. (Pick up postcards at the Santa Cruz Art League!) <p>This is my newest piece of furniture. It is a medieval-style 3-legged chair I'll have on display at my Studio. It is hand-turned, hand-carved black walnut, with a hand-woven rush seat. This is based on a similar chair in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. <p>So come on by and visit me October 11, 12, 18, or 19! Everything will be available for purchase! <p> <p><b><u><br><strong>Fall Woodcarving Class at Cabrillo!</strong></u></b> <p>Once again I've been asked to teach a two day woodcarving class at Cabrillo College for the FallArts extension courses. This year it will be on two Sundays, October 26th and November 2nd. The class isn't quite full yet, so if you'd like to learn carving, or increase your carving skills, sign up on the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019D77SscX-Z2V6tO-q950tAbwn0dg8CNxG7lYnZV1Ofj45NrkF5kIpIGtz1Ao-_K3PgNZUV4q68d9Osr7hrYLIp0glEuwtqq4bRmKpISwOy3T1btq6s_Ib0XsGE4Bje9PTnHcG90BJeymdU2YWSJyFsI0Vb8YOzPknD_lWeFhodKYREwgrLSUEAfph_zvzwf9Pz3AZ2QUzsbM0diLxkACsJGkWhUFtait&c=MTBGontPfV68UswTU_lest9Viy3Sfzbo7B5MyxxHghf0PcJ3KkIGow==&ch=1vLKRqAqouK-Vfd9EdpBmcqvYLF-VkzMtr_pHT8s_oEvgkcyTrDmfg==">Cabrillo Extensions FallArts web page</a>. <p><strong><u>Cabrillo College Gallery 12 x 12 (x12) Exhibition!</u></strong> <p>Starting October 6th at the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019D77SscX-Z2V6tO-q950tAbwn0dg8CNxG7lYnZV1Ofj45NrkF5kIpJ_Syn_DFgg83UPqJ-8P-vNMwSjbiZAOvRIksHiSSqaFKttyfXp9Q0LQXZ8cbNwLVS5FDjV3XM6Wvx62Ov9BxxHUle3B44ExF8ezH9IkqmAvLAeDMimgv4enruOtIcobt_PMsRNHqz3nZncmnXb5qXc=&c=MTBGontPfV68UswTU_lest9Viy3Sfzbo7B5MyxxHghf0PcJ3KkIGow==&ch=1vLKRqAqouK-Vfd9EdpBmcqvYLF-VkzMtr_pHT8s_oEvgkcyTrDmfg==">Cabrillo Gallery</a> on the Cabrillo College Campus is a fascinating collection of art and craft works all sized 12 inches by 12 inches. (Some are also 12 inches deep!) I just completed two brand new pieces that conform to these sizes. They will be on display from October 6 through October 31. A reception will be on Saturday, October 4th, from 4 to 6pm. Stop by after your Open Studios Art Tour!</p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><a name="148a4b65b8fef133_LETTER.BLOCK6"></a> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>In The Studio</strong> <p>There have been a few changes around my studio over the last month and many about to happen. Not long after Open Studios, our house will be remodeled. Fortunately, my studio is not part of the remodel, so I can continue working on new pieces and finishing up one or two that have been on the shelf for a couple of years. <p><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs151/1101791463856/img/240.jpg" width="366" align="right" height="258"></p> <p>A big change for me is my new carving tool. I recently picked up a miniature chain saw carving device called The Merlin 2. It's a small angle-grinder type of device with a 2 inch circular chain saw blade. It is made specifically for carving medium to large sculptures. <p>My first piece turned out quite well. Come to my Open Studio to see my carving tool up close, and to see the results! <p>The other change is an addition to my carving workstations. A couple of years ago, I made a small carving bench with a vise that I use inside my studio for my smaller works. For larger pieces, I needed a bigger and sturdier bench able to hold hundred pound pieces of wood. <p>Here it is! <p><img style="float: left; display: inline" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs151/1101791463856/img/241.jpg" width="231" align="left" height="316"> <p>The top section is for small to medium carvings. It swivels and tilts in many directions so carving can be done easily on all surfaces. It is removable, so larger pieces can be attached directly to the bench top, or clamped in the vise. There is another device that attaches to the bench, but you'll have to come to Open Studios to see that!</p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><a name="148a4b65b8fef133_LETTER.BLOCK10"></a> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Old Instruments and Repairs</strong> <p>I continue to get e-mails and calls from people who have recently purchased antique zithers, dulcimers, and other stringed instruments. Some were inherited from parents or grandparents, and some are from collections or are personal favorites. These instruments, being as old as they are, quite often need restoration or repair to make them playable again. If only to be displayed, conservation is an option for them. <p>I'm always interested in restoring, repairing, or conserving unusual and different instruments with a history. My basic fee starts at $350 for major work. For minor repairs, such as new strings, small crack repairs, cleaning, etc., contact me for costs. Please send photos of areas that are damaged or in need of TLC to me at my <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">email address</a>. For major repairs, I provide a complimentary repair log. <p>I have openings in my schedule starting in November of this year and into 2015. Check with me for scheduling! <p>If you have <strong>inherited</strong> a stringed instrument, such as a zither, dulcimer, or other zither-style instrument, or even old ukuleles, or know of someone who has, it is tremendously easy to have the instrument made a functional part of living history for a very modest investment, whether it is ever played again or displayed as a family heirloom. If you have old photos of family members playing the instrument, be sure to send them along as well.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><a name="148a4b65b8fef133_LETTER.BLOCK7"></a> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>More ... Behind the Scenes - Folk Art Corner - </strong><strong>Hot off the Press</strong> <p><strong><u>Behind the scenes:</u></strong> <p><strong><u>roncook Etsy shop</u></strong> <p>My Esty shop is popular all over the world! I have been "favorited" by people as far away as Latvia and China. Recent sales have gone to Canada and Italy! Here's how to reach my shop: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019D77SscX-Z2V6tO-q950tAbwn0dg8CNxG7lYnZV1Ofj45NrkF5kIpPSfDyUH7SVF3L5sEVqJhnBd92N1P8qmz_rCyY5rr4Addewj8n2Q0t_GcbTHJiklQD1khpxKeEjvHEqdvODX2AhtYsZi1g4fAV0FzjJZenigwNkNHmjqCN7odBazqc1HVkhc-zz7UgFn&c=MTBGontPfV68UswTU_lest9Viy3Sfzbo7B5MyxxHghf0PcJ3KkIGow==&ch=1vLKRqAqouK-Vfd9EdpBmcqvYLF-VkzMtr_pHT8s_oEvgkcyTrDmfg==">https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook</a>. You may set up a free account on Etsy to preview and purchase any other items offered for sale. <p><strong><u>New Students</u></strong> <p>If you are interested in learning how to carve, learning general woodworking skills, or learning about the history and construction of early European (medieval) or early American (19th century) stringed instruments, please contact me at<strong> </strong><a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">ron@roncookstudios.com</a>. During the instrument course, the student will learn about the evolution of stringed instruments, research a particular instrument, create working drawings, and build it. Open to interested high school and college students. All students choose wood from my wood stash! <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">E-mail me for more information</a><strong>.</strong> <p><strong><u>Folk Art Corner: Items from special wood</u></strong> <p>If you have some wood that has come from a "special tree" or are planning to remove a tree that has played an important role in your life or your family's life, please contact me to see what we can create to memorialize it. Suggestions: spoons, small instruments, small stools. <p> <p>That’s it for now! I’ll have some photos of “new” pieces I’m working on. A new direction… <p>More later! Onward through the fog…</p></td></tr></tbody></table></p></td></tr></tbody></table> Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-65313246121080860352014-02-25T11:45:00.001-08:002014-02-27T10:11:41.969-08:002014—A New (Dry) Year<p>For California, this “rainy season” has been the driest on record. Here in Santa Cruz, right next to the Monterey Bay (1/2 block from my studio), we’ve had barely an inch of rain in three months and temperatures have often been in the sunny 70s. Hopefully that will soon change. We need the water.</p> <p>On the plus side, I’ve been able to do a lot of work in my studio, including applying finishes that dry in hours instead of days. (Wet weather slows drying time.) I’ve been able to complete new pieces and restorations in less time than normal during this Winter.</p> <p><strong>Events</strong></p> <p>For the 10th year I’ve been juried in to the <a href="http://shows.craftcouncil.org/sf" target="_blank">American Craft Council Show in San Francisco</a>. The show will run this year August 8-10. Booth assignments aren’t available yet, but when they are you can check on the <a href="http://shows.craftcouncil.org/sf" target="_blank">American Craft Council San Francisco</a> web site.</p> <p><strong>New Work</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DBPU2WNUUwA/UwzyrjlxGmI/AAAAAAAABfo/EDYtoVR0qQE/s1600-h/3-legged%252520chair-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="3-legged chair-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 4px 0px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="3-legged chair-72" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sqDBdNx4E0Q/UwzysJw0AgI/AAAAAAAABfs/nQHD8wh3ZGU/3-legged%252520chair-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" align="right" height="260"></a>It’s been a long time coming, but my second medieval-style 3-legged chair is almost done. Since January 1, I finished all the spindle turning, drilled all the angled holes, and glued the whole thing together. All I have left to do is weave the rush seat, which is usually a two-day job.</p> <p>To recap, my 3-legged chair is based on one in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The original was English oak, which darkened with age and use so it looks more like black walnut then oak. Since I had quite a bit of salvaged black walnut, I decided to use that for this chair. Other then my head carvings on the front legs, this one looks almost identical to the original. The turnings and wood color are very similar.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tqZ3Gnzccu0/UwzysinjvcI/AAAAAAAABf0/CsEWM1q4MAc/s1600-h/Germanic%252520rotes-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Germanic rotes-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Germanic rotes-72" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7la6zZTMBKo/UwzytOw5yfI/AAAAAAAABgA/Yzu-EFK1mxo/Germanic%252520rotes-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="left" height="222"></a>In my last blog I showed two new “mini” Saxon rotes (lyres). I decided last week to make a couple of “mini” Germanic rotes. Like the Saxon rotes, these Germanic ones are smaller versions of the full-sized lyres I often show at crafts shows and Open Studios. The small Saxon lyres have been popular on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>, and when I finish the Germanic ones, I’ll put them on Etsy too.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>New Tools</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pOYApX2EnLg/Uwzyttoz3gI/AAAAAAAABgE/Q1jItKQaKwI/s1600-h/Table-saw-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Table-saw-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 2px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Table-saw-72" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T4jB1nSlEl0/UwzyuPwLbiI/AAAAAAAABgM/Lut2lbRfavU/Table-saw-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="178"></a></p> <p>Back in December, my old Craftsman table saw stopped working. Bearings went out in the arbor and the saw blade started wobbling dangerously. Getting new parts was not only expensive, but would take quite a few hours to repair. So, I started doing some research on new saws and decided on a Laguna hybrid. This is like the larger cabinet saws, but built more for small shops. This new model is wired for 110, which is good since I don’t have 220 in my shop. It has a dust port on the side that I hook up to my portable dust collection system, and the motor is quiet and powerful. I’ve used it quite a bit already, and I have no complaints. It’s a well-made hybrid table saw. And… it was on sale!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PlzyMt7Ps54/Uwzyurfso9I/AAAAAAAABgY/_sQMq3GiKF8/s1600-h/Bandsaw-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bandsaw-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 13px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bandsaw-72" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ixfyUMWF_sA/Uwzyvd3YkgI/AAAAAAAABgg/5-COVxmzGmA/Bandsaw-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" align="left" height="260"></a>I also have a Craftsman 12-inch band saw that I’ve been using for the last 20 years, resawing all the woods I’ve used in my instruments and furniture. Resaw capacity was a short 6 inches, so I wasn’t able to cut anything thicker. This saw was also getting a little old and cranky, and my resawing was taking much longer to accomplish. The motor kept straining too hard and sometimes would even stop in the middle of work—even with a new blade. </p> <p>Well, again, Laguna was rated pretty high, and like the table saw, it was on sale too. I ordered it on January 2nd, but since it was on back order, I just got it last week. This is a new 14 inch model, also wired for 110, that has a 13 inch resaw capacity. And it came with a very good and tall resaw fence. I got a 3/4 inch, 3tpi (teeth per inch) Timberwolf blade for resawing, and it worked great with my first resawn pieces of wood. It cut through 8 inch wide cherry and mahogany like it was butter. And the motor is incredibly quiet! I’m very happy with it.</p> <p><strong>Restorations</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yzcLl13HhOY/Uwzyv3JM4NI/AAAAAAAABgk/4r8u5jhQEw8/s1600-h/Kumalae-before%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kumalae-before" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 2px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kumalae-before" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QN38efzyWPw/UwzywJIxfkI/AAAAAAAABgs/2cEKsfLgpE0/Kumalae-before_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" align="right" height="228"></a>The work keeps coming. Since the first week in January, I’ve been working on two antique instruments. One I just finished is another Kumalae ukulele from around 1920. It is the same model as one I restored back in December, with the same type of fancy “rope” binding, and lovely figured koa wood. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0xv78k_8eGE/Uwzywng8iXI/AAAAAAAABg0/yJOieX-KEXw/s1600-h/Finished%2525203-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Finished 3-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Finished 3-72" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mxsxLGj0Dq0/Uwzyw6nEW5I/AAAAAAAABhA/iktkTpSBF8Y/Finished%2525203-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="128" align="left" height="260"></a>This one was definitely more of a challenge, because the neck had broken off from the body. It had the appearance that someone might have sat on it. On the body, where the neck broke off, the wood was cracked and torn and some pieces were missing. The top was warped and several glue joints around the body had failed, leaving warped openings.</p> <p>But I love a challenge. I disassembled, repaired, reassembled, and refinished it in around 6 weeks. It now looks like nothing ever happened to it.</p> <p>It’s now fully restored and playable.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OBGj8XDbtKY/UwzyxkQEmzI/AAAAAAAABhI/LoFXzC4M41A/s1600-h/chord-zither-72%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="chord-zither-72" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="chord-zither-72" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RbcsV2kSkm0/UwzyyGOMt8I/AAAAAAAABhM/cmYmy2kFv4I/chord-zither-72_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="166"></a>Also on my restoration workbench is a Schmidt and Menzenhauer Niagara Special model chord zither from around 1900-1910. Like many zithers I’ve restored, this one was also coming apart and the tail pin block was curling up from the string tension. It was pretty dirty, and the old strings and tuning pins were all rusty. (The photo is a before shot.)</p> <p>I removed the back to be able to repair and strengthen all the internal bracing, and it’s now back together, clean, and I’m putting the finishing touches on it. I hope to string it up next week.</p> <p>Do you have a unique stringed instrument, one that’s been in your family, or one you picked up somewhere, that needs a little TLC and needs to be repaired or restored, contact me for a quote. I specialize in antique zithers (concert and chord), ukuleles, dulcimers, and some guitars and other stringed instruments. My e-mail is <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">ron@roncookstudios.com</a>. </p> <p><strong>Teaching</strong> <p>I will be teaching at Cabrillo again for the next Spring Arts program, April 6 and 13, 2014. The Spring Cabrillo College Extensions Catalog is now available. You can check it out at <a href="http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/"><strong>http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/</strong></a>. <p>As of this writing, my class is full. However, there’s a possibility I may be teaching a week-long wood carving course this Summer. Stay tuned!</p> <p>As I look out the window, I see a few clouds drifting my way. Starting tomorrow, it is supposed to rain for the next five days. Hopefully, we’ll get enough rain to put a little water in the reservoirs.</p> <p>Onward…</p> Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281753474320158514.post-60263629408700768772013-12-10T19:49:00.001-08:002013-12-10T19:55:11.848-08:00Happy Holidays!<p>It’s been a while since my last blog. The year is rapidly coming to an end, so I thought it was time for an update.</p> <p>After an extended “Indian Summer”, Winter finally arrived. However, the rains haven’t arrived yet, but the temperature, even here right next to the Monterey Bay, has been in the 20s and 30s at night. Yes, no rain. So far, 2013 has been California’s driest year on record. But, with the heater going in my studio, I’ve kept very busy with all my projects and teaching. </p> <p><strong>Events</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pp3s4TAbzOw/UqfgqZ4e-6I/AAAAAAAABc0/KZam0zaKMTQ/s1600-h/Ron%252520at%252520Stephanie%252520Studio%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ron at Stephanie Studio" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ron at Stephanie Studio" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I1-N-lsjAw4/UqfgrHN_3aI/AAAAAAAABc4/H6qRDhjEGLk/Ron%252520at%252520Stephanie%252520Studio_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="right" height="183"></a>Since November I’ve been exhibiting at the <strong><a href="http://www.tanneryartscenter.org/" target="_blank">Tannery</a></strong> in <strong><a href="http://www.stephanieschriver.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie Schriver’s Gallery and Studio</a></strong>. I’ll be there until December 20th. The Tannery is a complex of studios, plus live/work apartments, in the former Salz Tannery complex just a short distance from downtown Santa Cruz. Many of the historic old buildings have been renovated and divided into large and small studio spaces, offices, and a restaurant, and another historic building will soon be a new performing arts center. Stephanie’s Gallery and Studio is #122 and located at the <strong><a href="http://www.tanneryartscenter.org/" target="_blank">Tannery Arts Center</a></strong>, 1050 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA. 95060. Come on by.</p> <p>Last October was the annual juried <strong><a href="http://www.artscouncilsc.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour</a></strong>. I was open one weekend this year, and it was successful for me. Art aficionados were out in force to visit me and the 250+ artists on the tour. For information on the recent Open Studios Art Tour, as well as other on other events, on arts education, and on grant information, go to the <a href="http://www.artscouncilsc.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Arts Council Santa Cruz</strong></a> website.</p> <p>At the <strong><a href="http://www.scal.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Art League</a></strong> a new show called <strong>“Small Wonders”</strong> will be opening December 14th and running until January 5th, 2014. Artwork on display is all 14 inches and smaller. Prices are usually smaller too. This is a great place to find an artistic craft piece, painting or photograph to give to that special someone this Christmas. The opening reception is on December 14th, 3-5pm. <a href="http://www.scal.org/" target="_blank">The Santa Cruz Art League</a> is located 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.</p> <p><strong>New Work</strong> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i4ske4t5-zA/UqfgraIlS_I/AAAAAAAABdA/Lk_hxEpLSYo/s1600-h/Mini%252520Saxon%252520Rotes%2525205%252520and%2525206%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mini Saxon Rotes 5 and 6" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 19px 13px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mini Saxon Rotes 5 and 6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-quQixMVaP10/Uqfgr1HLqQI/AAAAAAAABdI/o_ogTdrX52c/Mini%252520Saxon%252520Rotes%2525205%252520and%2525206_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" align="left" height="277"></a>The two “mini” Saxon Rotes (lyres) that I created early this year (mentioned in the last Blog post) were both recently sold through my <strong><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a></strong>. Last month, I created two more. Both are carved out of beautiful flamed maple. The top of one is a lovely figured salvaged black walnut, and the top of the other is an equally lovely piece of spalted maple. The hand-carved medallions, bridges, tailpieces, and tailpiece holders are maple. These are now available through my <strong><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a></strong>. <p>Since Open Studios I also completed two more “mini” items. I made one more mini hog-nose psaltery and a small trapezoidal psaltery. Both have 15 steel strings, tuned to a 2-octave C-major scale. The hog-nose psaltery’s top and back are nicely figured pieces of black walnut. The frame is maple. The trapezoidal psaltery’s top and back are salvaged flamed white oak. The frame is also maple. This white oak is some more resawn from the top of a broken drop-leaf table I was given a few years ago. Both of these psalteries are available through my <strong><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a></strong>. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hhvnTXhWouI/Uqfgsb1YhxI/AAAAAAAABdU/CU15A6JUBaE/s1600-h/Folding%252520Stool-72dpi%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Folding Stool-72dpi" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Folding Stool-72dpi" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vUCLHMbNwq8/Uqfgs3UqEQI/AAAAAAAABdY/hNkuWZYuFs4/Folding%252520Stool-72dpi_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" align="right" height="173"></a>Around July I came across plans for a medieval-style folding chair. The design for this chair actually goes back to ancient Egypt. Folding chairs were easy to carry along for travels and on campaigns. My design is based on examples dating from the late medieval to early renaissance periods. As usual, I added some of my facial carvings on the arms as well as floral carvings on the legs and frame. This was a challenge to get all the pieces positioned right, but I’m happy with the results. It folds up quite nicely. The perfect accessory for a Renaissance Fair or SCA gathering. <p><strong>Still in Process</strong> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qzqkHR34HtE/UqfgtWo8g9I/AAAAAAAABdg/UJlTQiLcTZU/s1600-h/3-legged%252520chair%252520in%252520progress-72dpi%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="3-legged chair in progress-72dpi" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="3-legged chair in progress-72dpi" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9FqJx-7D4HM/Uqfgt7nCriI/AAAAAAAABdo/tcLWabD3OGo/3-legged%252520chair%252520in%252520progress-72dpi_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" align="right" height="203"></a>I’m finally gluing up the black walnut medieval 3-legged chair I’ve been working on for over a year. I recently had to re-turn one of the back pieces, because the one I did earlier this year had too many faults in the wood. I was dissatisfied with it, so I did another. Today the main part of the chair frame is all glued up. Now I have to turn 10 more spindles for the arm rests and diagonal back pieces. <p>Just to give you an update, the 3-legged chair is based on one that’s housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZukhaXHejdM/UqfguAg5jrI/AAAAAAAABdw/S_3yaubq69c/s1600-h/Symphony%2525202-in%252520progress-72dpi%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Symphony 2-in progress-72dpi" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 6px 13px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Symphony 2-in progress-72dpi" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-puvwnbS7cNs/UqfgutEKJGI/AAAAAAAABd4/mLmkaFUoNVY/Symphony%2525202-in%252520progress-72dpi_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="left" height="157"></a>Once more I’ve started working on my next Symphony. No, I’m not composing a new concert piece. A Symphony is a small hurdy gurdy that was used, primarily by European monks, back in the 12th and 13th centuries. I’ve mentioned this instrument before, but to recap, I started maybe two years ago, on this, my second symphony based on one in the illustrations in the 13th Century Cantigas de Santa Maria illuminated manuscript. I’ve actually done more work in the last week than I’ve done in the last year. (Distracted by too many commissions, restorations, and shows.) I’m determined to finish this by the end of January. <p><strong>Restorations</strong> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PdXUowzm8-Q/UqfgvCIkzPI/AAAAAAAABeE/rdPwMiz6-j4/s1600-h/Schwarzers-2013_edited-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Schwarzers-2013_edited-1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Schwarzers-2013_edited-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n5pTWS25fv0/UqfgvkMwKEI/AAAAAAAABeI/6QsXafXvYhc/Schwarzers-2013_edited-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" align="right" height="260"></a>I’ve been extremely busy with my antique stringed instrument restoration business this year. Since July, I completed the restoration of not one, but two Franz Schwarzer zithers. One was an incredible 1889 harp-like concert zither, one of Schwarzer’s finest, with a lot of mother-of-pearl inlays and a fancy scrolled head, and the other was one of Schwarzer’s standard models, from 1908, also very beautiful with mother-of-pearl inlays around the sound hole. <p>On my workbench now are two very old ukuleles. The first is another Kumalae ukulele, <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tK7E4bRUWpQ/Uqfgweni_0I/AAAAAAAABeU/04JK0eADRYk/s1600-h/Ukes-2013_edited-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ukes-2013_edited-1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 7px 12px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Ukes-2013_edited-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UcWeuZlyMco/UqfgwzwnRNI/AAAAAAAABeY/SjCkbR4hlsM/Ukes-2013_edited-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" align="left" height="260"></a>one of the older ones and with the original wooden friction tuning pegs. I believe this one is from around 1920-25 or so. This is the third Kumalae I’ve worked on. The second one is a Cox Koxolele. Where most ukuleles are all koa and made like tiny guitars, the Koxolele has a koa top, but the body is two joined cocoanut halves. From my research, it seems to be from the 1930s. Pretty unique. <p>Do you have a unique stringed instrument, one that’s been in your family, or one you picked up somewhere, that needs a little TLC and needs to be repaired or restored, contact me for a quote. I specialize in antique zithers (concert and chord), ukuleles, and some guitars and other stringed instruments. My e-mail is <a href="mailto:ron@roncookstudios.com">ron@roncookstudios.com</a>. <p><strong></strong> <p><strong>Teaching</strong> <p>As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I taught a two day extension course on woodcarving at Cabrillo College for the Spring Arts program.Since then I taught another for the Fall Arts program. I was happy to find out that both classes filled up. For last Spring and Fall I taught both hand and power carving. <strong>NEWS FLASH!</strong> I will be teaching at Cabrillo again for the next Spring Arts program, April 6 and 13, 2014. When the Spring Cabrillo College Extensions Catalog becomes available, you can check it out at <a title="http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/" href="http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/"><strong>http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/extension/</strong></a>. You can sign up for my class online. <p>That’s about it for now. Have a very Happy Holiday Season! <p>Onward… Ron Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800688101269300366noreply@blogger.com0