quick shelf for my office,
Jo likes it for plants.

I’ve had a cold for pretty much all of this year it feels, which means I have spent far too much time holed up in my tiny flat. This has resulted in a flurry of redecorating, moving stuff around and buying a huge amount of vintage and retro pieces. I’m a huge fan of amazing online shop Shelf who sell the most fabulous ceramics and homewares.

images:shelf.com

snake or sine curve shelf sketch
Summer 2009 Daniel Wetmore

Cable management is a headache for all, and if unmitigated it becomes a playground for cats. [kws103] posted a project a while ago that takes care of the messy wires for electronics on pull out shelving. Channel bracket is used to house the cables and has been articulated in three places to facilitate the movement of the sliding shelf. For an added touch an outlet was built into the surface to make it easy to unplug and remove the components if necessary. The hinges for articulation use aluminum base plates and rely on rivets as a pivot point, something that might need improvement if pulling the shelf in and out is a common occurence. Add this to the Ikea based solution we looked at in August and your days of electronic rats nests may be coming to an end.

today’s shelf sketch
November 23, 2009

It was definitely a weekend revolving around the new tool (understandably), from the pickup/delivery organising on Friday, the assembly (and getting it into the shed) Saturday, and commissioning it with some real tasks on Sunday.

If you were wondering how I was going to fit a 2.5m x 1m tool in my workshop, well, you were not the only one!  With a large pry bar!  Archimedes once remarked (paraphrasing) that with a firm place to stand he could move the Earth (with a long-enough lever that is).

Makin' a Hole

Clearing space was a combination of moving the jointer to where the router table was, removing the corner bench and in future the sanders will (potentially) be on roll-outs from under the Torque, and the router table met an untimely end, with the top being amalgamated with the TWC.  A hole was born.

The Torque arrives in its new home

I did try the TWC along the back wall, but lost too much access around the unit.  The MDF top has yet to be added – will do so some time this week.

That 1300mm arm is huge – I’m going to fit the 600mm (or 900mm) arms for the majority of the jobs, and the 1300 will get used only when I need that much extension.  For some workshops it probably would remain, but that is the one compromise on space I will have to make.  Sure looks nice here (by the end of the weekend it sure ended up rather dusty!)

Adding the Router Table

Here I have added the router table (with Incra Positioner/Fence) to the end where there is some dead space (because of the way the tools are carried on the left side of the arm), so this really utilises that area. I’ve moved the bandsaw further back so I have adequate access to the router table, and it isn’t hard to swing the entire unit out from the wall if I need more in-feed area.  Since this photo, I have also replaced the first module of the top with a plain cast-iron wing – it won’t be a two-router table now (well it is, but one is overhead), and I’ve shortened the cast iron top to 3 wings from the original 5.  The MDF of the rest of the bed will be at the same height, so there is no shortage of area for the positioner now!  At 2.5m long, this may be the largest router table in the world!

The clamp roof

The clamp wall was a problem, both getting access to the clamps, and also having them interfere with the X axis of the TWC, so they have been moved to the roof.  If the clamps are any good, then it won’t be a problem where they are!  Added benefit – partway through a clamp-up, if I need another I just reach up!

Temporary Triton Mount

One minor glitch I had (and it will be rectified by the end of the week), is the router mount had support posts for a Makita (I think), and not the Triton – the Triton needs both a larger diameter and a longer post.  Converting the Triton to fit the table took a few seconds, as did reverting it back to standard operation.  I was surprised just how easy it was – a single circlip.  So that I could make use of the router before the parts arrive, I added the old Triton quick-release plate from the original Triton router table.  The setup is rather flimsy like this, but it got the job done.

Oven Doors

First job was the oven doors for the kid’s kitchen – setting the stops for the size of the opening, then routing it out.  I also used the same method for cutting hinge mortises.

Oven Shelf

The second job was creating the shelf in the oven.  Rather than just a plain shelf, I didn’t want the inside of the oven to look like a cupboard, so I cut parallel slots through using a 1/2″ straight router bit, and moved the whole setup 30mm for each pass.  Again, something that could have been done other ways, but this was a very simple (and accurate) method.  It’s like using a machine with a built-in, adjustable jig.

So that was all I had time for in the end, but already it has been demonstrating for me just how functional the concept is.

Earlier this year I mentioned how busy I was producing a new product.  And on Facebook I mentioned our recent day of “Top Model” posing for the photoshoot with Jet Photography.  Our architecture practice Assembly Architecture Ltd has released a new range of furniture for the retail market – starting with The Assembly Stackweave, an interlocking shelving unit featuring horizontal and vertical shelves – you stack it to form a woven look unit.  Check out the website and I will update you with stockists (other than our website) and magazine releases soon…

[via]

Hubby has thoughtfully designed a inset bookshelf in my kitchen, right above the small desk that will hold the phone and laptop. And, as fluke has it, a potlight is right above the shelf to add a homey and comfy glow. Love it!

I was thinking today, it would be cool to do some texture on the wall behind the desk and something creative with the inset shelf, to make it even more of a feature.

And somehow I found this link to doing wall stencils! I’m really loving on the look in the first video there. I think that might be the one.

And some cool brackets to finish off the shelf? Yep, I’m really loving this idea! I’m brilliant…

With cooler nights, fall is definitely upon us. I took these photos in the first week of November to document the passing of the seasons on our balcony garden. Above a dramatic sunset over Mt Fuji illuminates the very end of the morning glory green curtain. As you can see in the photo below, there are still many flowers, including cosmos, murasaki shikibu, cyclamen, geranium, fujibakama, a creamy daisy, and a few other annuals.

One of the satoyama unit’s plant is flowering now, while some of the deciduous plants are dropping their leaves.

The black pine bonsai I assembled at Kobayashi Kenji Sensei’s class at Sinajina is doing well.

And we put the ojizō-sama made at the ceramic studio into one of the satoyama units.

More photos of fall plants, including lemon tree, ceramics, and more images of the satoyama units after the jump.

Above is the smaller satoyama unit, which sits on a low shelf. In the bottom right you can see the small flower that is highlighted in this post’s second photo.

The larger satoyama unit rests on the balcony floor, and some of the leaves are dropping for winter. Below is the Saipan lemon tree, which still has two lemons. The fruit remains green even when ripe. I made the large ceramic pot last year at this time.

I need to clean out my garage and the basement I can’t wait when bulk day arrive so I can get rid of most of the junk I have stored. It’s been months and every time bulk day comes I completely forget to get it out. Not this month it’s going to get done. Once I clean up I’m thinking into reorganizing those areas by adding shelves.

Where can I get storage shelve at a very low price? I’m on a budget so at this moment money is very very tight.

I was thinking about looking into craiglist to see if anyone has dispose any shelving units that they may not need for free. I will definitely keep an eye out for it.

I’m also going to check out Sam’s Club being that I’m already a member. They have a variety of shelves at a reasonable price. I will check out their website during the weekend and see what they have available. But for right now let me concentrate or focus on taking out this stuff out and rearranging the garage or basement.

First off, if anyone reading this can grow a mustache, head over to Movember to grow a sexy tash to support Prostate Cancer, or donate money to my friend Dave who is doing just that! I have already sponsored him for his courageous efforts, and I hope you will think this is a worthy cause with a fun way of going about things. If I could grow a beard I would…

For a while now I have been umming and ahhing about buying a full sized Blythe doll. I went a bit mad over them last year but didnt actually buy one. I have a book about them and a pack of postcards, but not the real thing. It cant be that hard to pick one and buy it can it!? Anyway, this one really caught my attention. One like this would be great…

Some people think they are hideous or scary, but I love their big eyes and rosy cheeks. I have never been one for liking china dolls, having some as a child at night I would have to make sure they were not facing me. And I hate ventriloquist dummies…with the flapping mouths! Horrible!

I also found these amazing shelving units, designed by Thomas Wold. I would love to have something similar in my house one day. He seems to find broken and unused furniture and puts it all together in a very interesting way. I really like the colours too.

I have almost finished Batman: Arkham Asylum on the Xbox 360. I personally think it is a great game. I havent wanted to session a game for a long while and I have really gone to town on this already. 85% of all the Riddler quests completed and almost finished the storyline quests. Go team! And how HOT is Poison Ivy in this game… wowee!

Today Ryan took a half day off work, and we went to Rochester High Street to get Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising from the postoffice because I missed the delivery the other day. It also came with a t-shirt and a carabina torch… all of which I won on VGR Forums. I also bought some new fat-quarters of some very cute fabrics from Home Town, in Rochester, and a book called ‘Material Obsession’ by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke, ao that I can finally learn how to quilt properly. That will use up all the fat-quarters I have stored; I shall include photos tomorrow. We got a Subway for lunch, and I answered a questionnaire about why I was in Rochester for some small school girls. I also went to town a bit on ebay last night, purchasing a whole load of buttons and ribbons to stock up with. Cant wait for them to arrive in the post!

Work tonight and tomorrow night, and then my parents are coming over Sunday for a meal to celebrate my birthday. It is actually on Thursday, but they are unable to come for a meal that day. I am starting to feel slightly old! I know I shouldnt…

Jenn x

I figure the jars don’t have to match…and might be more fun that way, too.  You know, spaghetti jar next to colorful jars of various sizes…?  I’d use it for beads and stuff…as a matter of fact, I have ideas, now.  Hmmm….

  Idea courtesy of http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2009/02/screw-organizing.html .

prototype for S
October 31, 2009
Daniel Wetmore

Over the last few weeks I’ve been tweeting with pictures about a surfboard shelf project my wife and I have been working on. We have finally completed it, and I thought it was worthwhile to post all the pictures together with a bit of a description of the steps. I want to also point out: my wife and I never do stuff like this. I’m not a handyman nor a craftsy guy, I prefer film for my creative outlet, so we both feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment in completing this.

First off, surfboards break all the time, especially at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, where the waves can be very powerful. I took this picture a few weeks ago, thankfully it’s not my board.

This, however, is my board. I bought a longboard to try and hopefully score some more surf, as it would allow me to paddle out on small days, but it buckled one day in the water. I figured that a longboard is a huge canvas that could be somehow used for something cool, and after brainstorming a bit, we decided to go with making shelves for our guest room. As you can see, Augustus was an integral part of the observation of this project.

The first step was to cut the board down into usable parts. I took a saw and sawed along the wood stringer that runs through the middle of the board, and also made a clean line cut along the part where the board had broken. After sawing, we applied white primer to the board so that when we painted it, it would stick.

After priming, we explored designs a lot, and decided to do a Hawaiian flower, along with some traditional stripes. We found a great stencil online for a Hawaiian flower, and then cut it out with a razor.

From there, it was time to paint. We ended up going with a creamy yellow base for the board, with a blue and green pinstripe leading to our Hawaiian flower. The painting was one of the more fun steps: we set up shop in the garage, played music, and in general really enjoyed ourselves. After the paint dried, with several coat applications, we got a sealant spray can to add a bit of a glossy finish to the shelf, and also to prevent it from chipping.

Finally, it was time to install. I searched for the studs in the wall, and couldn’t find them. As such, we got dry wall anchors to put in the wall, and then screwed the brackets into the anchors. From there, it was easy: just rest the surfboard on the brackets, and we have a complete shelf! The pictures are only the first shelf, as the second shelf had a bit of paint that chipped out that we need to re-coat before installation.

Of course, we had to sign the fin, and the pictures we have up there are one of me surfing (makes sense, you can see the picture here) as well as a pretty awesome collage that a former student of mine made from pictures she took while at the Daraja Academy this summer.

Rad? I think so.

I love design, but sometimes I feel a designer may go a little too Far. Li Jianye in this concept shows, the iShelf, a shelf where by assorting CDs in the Cover Flow layout, plays the songs on that album.

Personally, I think a iPod would be a better investment. Yet, if you like music playing shelves – this is the gadget for you. However, the designing of the product is beautiful.

Visit my Mahalo page for How to Get Homework Help

Via YankoDesign

I heart spraying paint!

BEFORE

AFTER

My cousin made the artwork and the color of the shelf is Raspberry.

Liverpool’s next Champions League match has been moved to Gay TV because apparently 11 arseholes getting hammered is too explicit for Sky Sports.

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I’ve had too take a second job in a bakery, I knead the dough.

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A book just fell on my head.. I’ve only got myshelf to blame.

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I see Katie Price is up for the mum of the year award. Also on the shortlist: Joseph Fritzl for dad of the year, Michael Jackson for tour of the year, Jade Goody for hairstyle of the year.

For me, this is the city I grew up in, and there’s not much new to discover (although I love the sunlight and the colors of the skies in the Netherlands, and hope to be able to capture that on film one day!). For the cats there’s also not much to do: the backyard is a few square meters with brick on all sides. So Sidjit sits on a shelf to entertain herself.

See also Qussa.nl: Stories from Afar and Up Close