Staked Stool Project - Revision history

Wprecht at 03:15, 25 March 2021

2021-03-25T03:15:44Z

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 Lately, I've [[#Books Read|read a lot]] about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century [[#Vernacular Furniture|vernacular furniture]]. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items, what you see in museums and historic houses, cause folks to think that the 18<sup>th</sup> Century was all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.
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-"Nice" chairs (like the Philadelphia side chair above) are built off the rear legs and most chairs are still made this way today. If the rear of the chair extends from the floor all the way to the crest rail (top), this is what I am talking about. That rear frame is the structural heart of the chair. You hang a seat frame off that and connect a couple of legs to that and you have a chair.
+Staked chairs are different. Instead of building around the rear frame, the chair (or table or whatever) is built around a think plank. This is the seat in a chair or reinforced sections of the top on a table. Legs are mortised into the plank and the back/arms (if any) are also mortised into it, but separately from the legs. Examples of this style are Windsor chairs and their tough country cousins, the Welsh stick chair. See below for a few examples
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-Staked furniture isn't limited to seating and it wasn't a "new" invention. A lot of medieval furniture is staked. Basically, all stools that depend on the seat for structure, many of the tables, including trestle tables are staked as well as all known workbenches from Roman times to the 15<sup>th</sup> Century.
+Making a stick chair is a significantly different enterprise than back chairs. For one thing, you need relatively few tools. You are not limited to dried timber. You can use green wood. You don't even need all four legs. You get by fine with just three and that has the advantage of being stable on uneven floors (as might be typical in rural or lower class homes). You also don't need to be quite as fussy with the angles things connect at. Back chairs have to be built with a certain level of precision or they will quickly fail. Stick chairs are sturdy and if they require repair, it's usually a simple matter. Or it's firewood.

Wprecht at 02:47, 25 March 2021

2021-03-25T02:47:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:47, 24 March 2021
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	While I got my start producing furniture by making stuff to use at SCA events, I've grown interested in historical furniture in general. Turns out there were lots of interesting things made between the Renaissance and the advent of industrial furniture making (about 1850 in England and America).		While I got my start producing furniture by making stuff to use at SCA events, I've grown interested in historical furniture in general. Turns out there were lots of interesting things made between the Renaissance and the advent of industrial furniture making (about 1850 in England and America).

	Lately, I've read a lot about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century [[#Vernacular Furniture\|vernacular furniture]]. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items, what you see in museums and historic houses, cause folks to think that the 18<sup>th</sup> Century was all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.		Lately, I've [[#Books Read\|read a lot]] about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century [[#Vernacular Furniture\|vernacular furniture]]. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items, what you see in museums and historic houses, cause folks to think that the 18<sup>th</sup> Century was all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.

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Wprecht at 02:46, 25 March 2021

2021-03-25T02:46:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:46, 24 March 2021
Line 5:		Line 5:
	While I got my start producing furniture by making stuff to use at SCA events, I've grown interested in historical furniture in general. Turns out there were lots of interesting things made between the Renaissance and the advent of industrial furniture making (about 1850 in England and America).		While I got my start producing furniture by making stuff to use at SCA events, I've grown interested in historical furniture in general. Turns out there were lots of interesting things made between the Renaissance and the advent of industrial furniture making (about 1850 in England and America).

	Lately, I've read a lot about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century vernacular furniture. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items, what you see in museums and historic houses, cause folks to think that the 18<sup>th</sup> Century was all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.		Lately, I've read a lot about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century [[#Vernacular Furniture\|vernacular furniture]]. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items, what you see in museums and historic houses, cause folks to think that the 18<sup>th</sup> Century was all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.

	{\|		{\|

Wprecht at 02:44, 25 March 2021

2021-03-25T02:44:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:44, 24 March 2021
Line 5:		Line 5:
	While I got my start producing furniture by making stuff to use at SCA events, I've grown interested in historical furniture in general. Turns out there were lots of interesting things made between the Renaissance and the advent of industrial furniture making (about 1850 in England and America).		While I got my start producing furniture by making stuff to use at SCA events, I've grown interested in historical furniture in general. Turns out there were lots of interesting things made between the Renaissance and the advent of industrial furniture making (about 1850 in England and America).

	Lately, I've read a lot about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century vernacular furniture. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items ~~and~~ what you see in museums and historic houses, ~~many~~ folks think the ~~18th~~ Century is all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.		Lately, I've read a lot about late 17<sup>th</sup>, 18<sup>th</sup>, and 19<sup>th</sup> Century vernacular furniture. This is the stuff the common people made and used. Because of the preservation bias of high-style items, what you see in museums and historic houses, cause folks to think that the 18<sup>th</sup> Century was all mahogany high boys and cabriole feet. Sure, it was...for the well to do, that early 1%. For the rest of the folks, it was a little more mundane.

	{\|		{\|

Wprecht at 02:42, 25 March 2021

2021-03-25T02:42:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 24 March 2021
Line 40:		Line 40:


	~~Define~~ Vernacular Furniture		===Vernacular Furniture===

			'''Vernacular Furniture''' is a term used to describe items of furniture made in local rather than cosmopolitan traditions of design and construction. They were intended for everyday use and reflect the direct needs of ordinary people’s lives. Vernacular furniture is thus part of the culture of communities, and its place and function achieve meaning as a direct reflection of the context and use for which it was made. This is in opposition to "high style" or cosmopolitan styles which changed as fashions changed in the urban centers. Vernacular furniture changes very slowly, if at all. It's a product of the people and the environment in which it is made. And as such, changes when those conditions change rather than ephemeral urban fashions.

Wprecht: /* Books Read */

2021-03-25T02:32:20Z

Books Read

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 24 March 2021
Line 45:		Line 45:
	===Books Read===		===Books Read===

	* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.<br />		* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.<br /><br />
	* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />		* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />
	* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />		* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />

Wprecht: /* Books Read */

2021-03-25T02:32:02Z

Books Read

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 24 March 2021
Line 45:		Line 45:
	===Books Read===		===Books Read===

	* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.		* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.<br />

	* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />		* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />
	* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />		* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />

Wprecht: /* Books Read */

2021-03-25T02:31:46Z

Books Read

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 24 March 2021
Line 45:		Line 45:
	===Books Read===		===Books Read===

	* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.		* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.

	* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />		* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />
	* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />		* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />

Wprecht: /* Books Read */

2021-03-25T02:31:30Z

Books Read

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 24 March 2021
Line 46:		Line 46:

	* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.		* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.
	~~<br />~~
	* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />		* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />
	* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />		* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />

Wprecht: /* Books Read */

2021-03-25T02:31:16Z

Books Read

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 24 March 2021
Line 46:		Line 46:

	* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.		* '''''Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown''''' (Christopher Williams, Lost Art Press, 2020)<br /><br />This book was my first exposure to John Brown. He was a Welshman who plied various trades in his life until he settled on making stick chairs. His inspiration came from one he spotted in an antique shop and resolved to learn to build these chairs and sell them. Along the way over the next 30 years or so he basically revived the craft and inspired many other chairmakers around the world to take up this form. He wrote a short book (see below) and he wrote columns for the British woodworking magazine Goo Woodworking for many years. He was quite an interesting character. This book is by someone who was basically an apprentice who approached JB and asked to learn how to make these chairs and ended up spending the next decade working with him. The book covers their time together and walks you through the entire process including tool and stock selection. So, in that sense, it is a woodworking book, but there are no measured drawings in it. It's something of the philosophy of making these chairs that no two are alike. In fact, John Brown insisted that even when he tried, he couldn't do it. So you can use this book to make a chair, but you won't be following a recipe. I found the book very fascinating. It's what got me really interested in chairmaking in particular and led me to explore vernacular furniture. I read it in 2 days? I think. For a pretty thought-provoking book, that's very fast.
	~~<br />~~<br />		<br />
	* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />		* '''''The Welsh Stick Chair: A Visual Record''''' (Tim and Betsan Bowen, Pethe Press, 2020) <br /><br />A smallish book by the owners of one of the better known Welsh antique dealers. After decades in the business, the authors provide an interesting cross-section of the many variations on the Welsh Stick Chair. Over 100 color (or as they would say colour) photos. This will probably become good source material for designing chairs down the road.<br /><br />
	* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />		* '''''Welsh Stick Chairs''''' (John Brown, 1990, reprinted Lost Art Press 2020) <br /><br />Not sure how to classify this book. It is nominally a guide to building Welsh Stick Chairs, but it's not a how-to. You see all the steps, and it's probably enough if you're an experienced chair builder (I'm obviously not). It's also part philosophy. Kind of like some of James Krenov's books. It's not a long book, but you do get some insight into the notoriously cantankerous Welshman.<br /><br />