Shawn, being the urban woodsman that he is, signed himself up for a woodworking class. It's right up his alley in the same way that macaron-baking seminars really speak to me. He had been admiring Gowanus Furniture's cutting boards and realized that instead of simply buying one, he should get his hands dusty and make it himself. Helpers were allowed to tag along, so I went with him last Friday, despite my misgivings about losing a finger.
The man behind Gowanus Furniture Co is Pete, a totally endearing suit-turned-artisan who makes quitting one's job to become a cheesemaker almost seem plausible. Not that I want to do that or anything. (For the story behind Gowanus Furniture, this interview is great.) Pete supplied us with local "snackage" (see? adorable), including the hottest thing I have ever put in my mouth (twice). He told us about Makeville Studios (anyone, after taking an orientation course, can schedule studio time there), explained how he sources wood, and showed us the products he sells. Obviously he described how he makes his cutting boards, and even though I didn't sign a nondisclosure agreement, I won't divulge any of his secrets.
We sorted through pine, cherry, and walnut pieces to create our masterpiece. Gowanus Furniture boards can be customized by arranging the slats in patterns to signify morse code, but ours doesn't have any particular meaning. However, if you're my friend and you get married soon, I can pretty much guarantee you'll be receiving a personalized cutting board from Gowanus Furniture Co as your wedding present.
We head back tonight to finish and oil our boards. I'll post pictures next week of the finished product. I'm awfully proud of our work-in-progress (shown with a classmate's board below), which I can't claim a whole lot of credit for (other than its design). As if the experience hasn't already been cool enough, Makeville Studios is half a block from Four & Twenty Blackbirds, bakers of my favorite pie. Like last week, we'll be swinging by on our way to class for a slice.
Have a great weekend, all (any plans?). Shawn and I are celebrating our seven year wedding anniversary, and I have to fit a 20-mile run in there somewhere too.
9 comments:
I love your 'Price is Right' style modeling of the almost-finished product.
And those peppers (why did we both have two?!) were easily the hottest things I've ever had. I hope he doesn't have more tonight. I'm afraid I will have one or two even knowing I'll regret it.
This post makes me want to pick up woodworking..almost
HAPPY HAPPY SEVEN YEARS!
Happy Anniversary!! I love that you are doing this class together what a cool cutting board!
Please come visit to enter my amazing Cross Bottle Giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
That's very cool. I can't wait to see the finished board.
Congrats on the anniversary. I'm sure there's an amazing dinner planned tonight, right?
This weekend we're celebrating my younger son's 4th birthday and I'm gonna knock out an 11.5 mile run to ramp up for my first 1/2 marathon at the end of the month.
This is great! We actually have a handmade cutting board that I bought several years back from a retired physician that does woodworking as his hobby. I bought one for myself and one for both of our parents - the details are really pretty. I'll have to show you sometime!
OH and P.S. Happy Anniversary! Celebrate it right! ;)
Looks amazing, Kate! Clearly your husband and my husband are cut from the same... board so to speak! Guess what we gave out as Christmas presents this year...:)
..and happy, HAPPY anniversary!!
This looks so fun! And it is right in my neighborhood. I'm so ashamed I've never visited their shop. Thanks for the profile. I will have to stop in sometime soon :)
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