Fall Project: Shaker Single-Step
I’m bringing back a much loved project, the shaker single step stool with handle! This ingenious design owes it’s elegance and simplicity to the Shaker Woodworking Tradition. Not familiar with the Shakers? The cool and streamlined designs of Modernism owes a great deal to these earnest, humble, god-fearing craft men and women.
Traditionally, dovetails are used, but with only 12 hours and at least 10 stools to produce, we will use screws and wooden plugs, most likely. This method is accessible to all skill levels and results in a lovely, warm, hardware free finish. Plus, this way we’ll have time to make a few spoons and finish our pieces with bees wax and walnut oil. Yum!
I love that this project involves only 4 parts! Top, lower support, end and handle! Approximate dimensions 13.5" x 7" x 33.25”, pine.
There are a lot of details, a through tenon to execute, a long elegant taper to draft and cut and still room for creative embellishments, like the three pinned crown we see on this example from Assembly Line, a design studio in Brooklyn, NY. High end stuff!
First fall workshop starts September 27, 28, Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA.
There is still room! Bring a friend! Or sign up for the October 4,5 workshop.
See you then.
Sasha