my life = great

Why carve when you can paint?

Well, maybe there's a reason we carve after all

I love my beautiful wife and the lovely babies she makes

ha!

("surprised face")

 

happy contentment

I love these little bonnet-style knit baby hats sometimes...

I can't describe how happy this picture makes me

little BeaBea's a happy camper

my life = great

 

Mona's Kitchen Remodel

A few months ago, I posted an ad on Craigslist that read something like: "Woodworker available for custom furniture, cabinetry, entry doors, etc. Visit http://gregklassen.com/ to learn more..."
A week later, a nice lady named Mona called me and said, "We are remodeling our kitchen and we're looking for someone who can create cabinets in a style that compliments our home. Are you interested?" Of course I was interested! I've never done anything like this before. I've built cabinets here and there, but nothing of this scope. What a great challenge! I immediately went to the library and checked out all of their books loosely titled "How to build cabinets." I love the library. The library is my Superman cape. What can't you do when you have all those great books there to teach you stuff?!

So, for about 2 1/2 months, starting with a set of simple 2D drawings, I drew all new, detailed plans for the whole kitchen, made cut lists, designed each individual box, drawer, door and pullout. I made a procedural plan, approached the whole project systematically, ordered my stack of lumber and plywood and dove in. The project was a nice, new excuse to buy lots of tools I'd been longing for! Unlike other cabinet shops, I made each and every part of the kitchen, by hand, one piece at a time. That includes the doors and drawers. Most cabinet shops outsource these parts. (Don't ask me how many "spare" doors I have leftover). Because I made them all myself, I was able to control the wood's grain patterns, use single-width boards where possible and so on. Yeah, I know, who cares about any of this besides me?? Well, almost no one. But, the purist in me forced me to do the very best job I could. I'm glad I did. It was a satisfying project and I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Here is the house - an old Craftsman in Bellingham.

Here are a few before pictures of the kitchen. Your typical dark brown, run of the mill prefabbed cabinets of the era.

Now, here's the after.

Farmhouse sink, handmade in England. Don't lift this puppy without an extra set of manly hands. I speak from experience.

My nifty idea - a nested drawer above the garbage pullout, for storing garbage bags and the like.

Where it is open above the countertop, there used to be a wall prohibiting light from entering from the living room. We knocked the wall out and added a breakfast bar. Under the breakfast bar was just a drywall half-wall. I replaced it with custom paneling that matches the existing trim in the house - and the doors provide access to the deep corner cabinet on the other side - the perfect spot for board games, don't you think?!

I think the hardware and light fixtures really compliment the Craftsman character of the home.

My other nifty use of a small space. A 4" wide spice pullout door next to oven, providing easy access to your favorite spices when you are cooking!

I wish this Viking gas range was in my house! What a beauty...

No title needed

Some pictures do not require explanation

Joining the Circus

This weekend I did, in fact, run away and join the circus. Yes, that's how another artist that I met described her and her husband's existence as festival attending artists. They travel around the country, selling their art at outdoor art festivals. This past weekend I participated in the 3-day Edmonds Arts Festival (outside Seattle)- described, on the festival website as showcasing "the work of nearly 240 carefully selected artist exhibitors, offering oils, watercolors, pastels, drawings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, fiber arts, jewelry, glass, metal, pottery/ceramics, toys, collectibles, and furniture. " Most of the artists at the festival skip around the country selling their craft/art at festivals like this one. When the show is over they pack up their art into vans and trailers, like circus animals, and head on to the next show.

In Edmonds, each artist displayed their work under 10x10 white canopies. The artists I talked to each had different expectations from their weekend. Some, more experienced artists, expected to take home $10-15K in sales, while others, had more modest goals, like making enough to pay for their booth fees, travel expenses and hotel stay. I, on the other hand, came just to dip my toes into the water and get a feel for what it was like to do a summer art festival. I'd say I had a good experience. I learned a lot about how to present my work and have some good ideas for changes at my next show.

I applied to 3 shows this summer - Edmonds, the Bellevue ArtsFair and Portland's Art in the Pearl. The two latter shows are considered two of the very best art festivals in the nation. I figured I would just apply to the best shows and it turns out I was accepted into each of them. Each time an artist asked me what shows I was doing next, I would tell them and then they'd do a double take, like "Really?! Wow, I've been trying for 10 years to get into that one." Then, I would feel embarrassed and explain that I was surprised to have been accepted.

I brought a mix of items to the show this weekend, from boxes and Leaf Cutting Boards to coffee tables, Bird Lamps and a Mendo Bench. I received a lot of interest in custom orders and expect to get follow up inquiries this summer. The Leaf Boards were by far my best seller and were popular wedding gifts.

Now it's time to get ready for the Bellevue ArtsFair (http://www.bellevuearts.org/fair/index.htm). I am excited about this show. Here are the vitals for Bellevue:

• Dates: July 24-26


• Location: Bellevue, WA (blocks from Microsoft World HQ - $$$ cha-ching!)
  
• 350,000 attendees in 3 days (that sounds like absolute mayhem!!)


• Booth fee: $1000 (gulp)


• 300+ artists, literally, from around the world
  

I am hopeful. I think it's going to go well. At the Edmonds show I sold cutting boards, etc. At this show I am going to dive in and just showcase my furniture designs. I think its important to send a strong message that "I'm a furniture maker and this is who I am," rather than trying to be all things to all people. This weekend I dipped my toes in the water, but in just a few weeks, I am going to walk to the edge and dive in. Here's to hoping I can swim!

Cheese Rolling

While Spain has fools come from around the world to run in front of bulls, and the USA plays host to the World Pillow Fighting Championship and Japan sees bare men run through the streets as part of its Naked Festival, Gloucestershire, England is home to a spectacle that tops them all.

I stumbled upon this video and felt it was worth sharing with a wider audience. Enjoy.

Congratulations to me

There have been many moments in our history that are noteworthy, newsmaking and memorable. Gandhi's march to the sea, Martin Luther King's "Dream" speech, Barack Obama becoming our first non-white president. Well today is another one of those days. A day that redirected the course of history; a day that fosters hope for the masses. A day to celebrate.

Today marks, for me, one year of being a self-employed furniture maker. There isn't an exclamation point or symbol great enough to follow that line. A big sigh and a pat on my own back is just how I am celebrating today. Oh, and I also bought myself a book online that my furniture has been published in - it's called "Fine Woodworking Design Book Eight: Original Furniture from the World's Finest Craftsman." I really like that last part.

If you Google, "Foolish people who start a business on a shoestring" immediately my picture pops up and you can read how I started my business with very very close to no money at all, after two years of school, without a business plan, without a permanent shop space, and no business contacts to speak of. On top of that, it was my sole responsibility to immediately be supporting my sweet wife and lovely daughter, who stay at home together because that's the way we want it.

So, what did I learn in year one? Put simply: a lot. Here are only a few of the things I learned.

• A supportive spouse is key above all. Barb supports me wholeheartedly, every day. She is intereseted in my work and encouraging.


• Gotta have a website. http://gregklassen.com/ It brings credibility and is a sales tool.


• People talk about having "irons in the fire." I say, fill that fire with every freaking iron you can find. When you are busy, don't sit down and be happy. Rather, market yourself and look for more work so you can stay busy.

People always ask me what sort of stuff I make. Well, here's a list of some of this last year's projects.

• Kitchen cabinets


• A conference table (made from recycled Teak desks)


• Poker chip trays


• Toys (inspired by Ruthie)


• Cutting boards


• Lamps (my Bird Lamp has been a top seller, having success in 5 different galleries!)


• 2 custom entry doors and a screen door


• A custom cedar fence and gate


• 4 benches


• A breakfast bar


• A front porch


• 2 workbenches (for another woodworker)


• A sweet shoe cabinet for a daycare


• 7 wall sconces


• A toy chest (for Granny Best)

And what I am working on now?

• 2 more custom entry door projects


• A custom clock


• Making lots of furniture for upcoming art festivals in Seattle and Portland


• A custom lamp


• A built in bookcase


• Working on a back porch


• A tree swing


• And, I am currently a weekly craft vendor at the Bellingham & Fairhaven Farmers Markets, locally. The Market serves as my one day a week storefront, where I can take orders, gauge interest in my work and try out new products.

Recently I was interviewed by a local TV station at the Bellingham Farmers Market.

The Bellingham Farmers Market - Greg Klassen Furniture from ENW with Deb Slater on Vimeo.

It's been a great year. It hasn't been easy, and there have been very low moments where we needed a helping hand to get back up and keep going. In my personal history, this is a really big day. I hope for many more years of living life just the way we have this last year.

Thank you to those of you who have supported me. And, lastly, congratulations to me! (This is where I pat myself on the back and get back to work)

California Vacation

A couple weeks ago we left for a California vacation. The plan: drive to visit my family in central California, and on the way stop for a couple days in Fort Bragg. Our first travel day brought us to Grants Pass, Oregon. Grants Pass is our usual stopping point for the 20 hour drive to visit my family (or, in this case, 16 hrs to Fort Bragg). We've become acquainted with the town. We know exactly how to get to the luxurious Motel 6, and where to get croissants for the early leg of our 2nd day. Day 2 returned us to the northern California coast - Ruthie's birthplace and where we spent two great years of our life, making furniture, friends and memories that have sweetened our lives. If heaven has a coastline, it will surly be patterned after this one. The air was so fresh, the ocean so active and the smell of the Eucalyptus trees made us very nostalgic. We arrived in Fort Bragg just in time to meet our friends Evan, Lundy and Josephine (who generously hosted us for 2 nights), and go for dinner at Mama Ricarda's - our favorite place for a burrito. Then, Evan and I went to the Spring furniture show at the school and Barb and Ruthie stayed back to play with the girls.

> Ruthie's first time playing in the sand

> Ruthie & Josephine were fast friends. Ruthie has an adoring, follow-them-anywhere, feeling towards "big" girls right now...

After a couple days in Fort Bragg, we left for Reedley (for those who don't know, Reedley is where I grew up and it's in the flat arid valley of Central California, known for growing much of the world's produce, and not to mention, the world's best peaches). We had a great few days spending as much time as possible playing with cousins and visiting with family.

> My great little nieces, Molly & Rebekah

> Family photo. Hey, who's that bearded guy with no neck in the back row?

> Sweet and petite little Karis. Karis is 5 weeks younger than Ruthie (they had the same due date).

> Barb and Gracie

> Casey and Gracie in action in the back yard...

> Proud Grandpa.

> And Proud Grandma. Ruthie loved Grandpa & Grandma's swing in the backyard.

> This is Rudy. He's even cuter than this picture and he could fit in a woman's purse. Ruthie giggled each time he licked her. They were fast friends.

> Each visit home must include a ride through the orchards on the Polaris. We drove up the road to a strawberry field and bought a flat. They were dark red all the way through and sweeter than you can imagine! Ruthie liked them so much, that I just kept giving them to her at every snack and meal time. She woke up the next morning covered in a nice medley of puke and strawberries. Ooops! Can we say, everything in moderation? Next time.

> Ruthie playing doctor. That's Dr. Ruth E. Klassen M.D. to you.

> Ruthie is in a big animal phase right now. She knows all the sounds and likes to point them out when we're driving. So, we took her to the zoo. She loved it! I have never seen her so happy and content for such a long period! Her cousin, Rebekah, insisted that she be the "big cousin" and push her around the zoo the whole time and Ruthie was a big fan of that.

Forty-eight hours of driving in the span of 9 days. A visit to the Redwood forest, the ocean, a stop in San Francisco, lunch at In N' Out Burger (twice), a visit to the zoo, date night at the movie theatre, separate beds at Motel 6, going to Molly's baseball game, going for breakfast and a superspeed power walk with my Dad and his friends, Rudy, several family dinners - all highlights from a short and sweet vacation. I look forward to the next one.

- Greg