This blog shows the folkart I make, my reproduction furniture and other projects. My studio/shop is in my backyard. It's a couple of miles off the main road in West Prince County, Prince Edward Island, Canada. When you come to visit make sure you see – the "Olde Times" Garden House Museum; Grandma's Attic; the Furniture Box; Grampa's Loft (antiques, old doors, etc. in my Dad’s old barn loft); and my World's Largest Egg Beater, certified by Guinness World Records.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Wardrobes

     I made this wardrobe for a customer of mine - then made two extra for sale.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Over toilet cabinets

     I made these three cabinets to fit over a toilet - I had some small old drawers that I worked into the cabinets.  They measure 25"W x 11"D x 40"H.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Chicken Coop in a 1973 VW Bug - Part 3

     I took the outside inside to the coop and painted scenery on the door with clouds on the ceiling!  The nest box is made from an old steel bread box I had kicking around - I put a set of drawer sliders on the nest box to bring it towards me to collect the eggs.
    I carved out a fox - started with a cedar log and he's looking out for the chickens.  The feeder is made out of PBS piping.  Any of you who might be in the neighbourhood please stop by and have a look.  

     Also checkout this Youtube video about the coop!  Hear the rooster crowing!  https://youtu.be/OiuEom5zkaY

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Chicken Coop in a 1973 VW Bug - Part 2

     The out side of the reno to the '73 Super Bug. 
     I took out the headlights and replaced them with fishing buoys.  The fender medallions I made using the following: the beak is from pliers; the tail is from a set of  tongs and the body is a small fishing buoy.  Where the engine was I have made it into a feed bin  for shell grit, etc.  For the back fenders I put parts of an old lamp to add a different touch.  I put a Venmar vent on the roof to keep thing dry inside.  On the front door window I put on over racks for screening when the windows are down. 
     I will post the inside reno on the next post.

Chicken Coop in a 1973 VW Bug - Part 1

     Sometime people out there call me a redneck - I guess with my latest project proves that! 
     I've been looking for a Bug for the last six months to turn it into a "chicken coop"!  I found it - this 1973 Volkswagen Super Bug. 
     I'll post the reno's I did to it over the next few posts.
     I fixed her up!  I stripped out the inside and put down a new floor, touched up the paint and added accessories!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Sofa Table

     I had a costumer who saw a sofa table on Pinterest and loved it - they asked me if I could make something close to it.  This is what I came up with for them.
Below is what we started with from Pinterest.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Alberton Regal Hockey Team 1928-1930

   I reframed this old photograph with one of my rustic frames which I sell in my shop.  Two of these team members were related to me..in the front row is Alvie Jeffery (1st cousin of my grandfather Louis) and on the right end is Harvey Jeffery, brother of my grandfather Louis. Dad always said he was an excellent hockey player - he could have gone to NHL but took M.S.  Harve was Muriel Gillis' father.
     I put the newspaper clipping on the back.   I zoomed in on the goalie who has a patch on his eye - he must have been hit by a puck. ..note on his knee a mascot monkey with the same jersey on.

Cascumpeque Bay -framed map

     I picked up this map of Cascumpeque Bay, PEI - it was printed in 1966 the same year I was born.  I made a rustic frame for it and used plexiglas instead of glass due to its large size.  It measures 34"x44".

Friday, December 2, 2016

Island Uniquities & Antiques - open for the Holidays!

     Be sure to stop in to see our friends at Island Uniquities & Antiques in Cape Traverse (near Borden, P.E.I.) this holiday season.  Here's info from their Facebook page - that's my Santa carving!
Hey Folks,
     It's that time of year! We will be reopening for a bit of the holiday season.
AND WE'RE HAVING A 20 PERCENT OFF SALE TOO!
     We are going to be open Thursdays thru Sundays, December 1st until the 18th.
Th Fr 10am-6pm, Sa 12pm-6pm, Su 12pm-5pm.
     On Saturdays we are also going to serve hot cider!
     Come say hi to Santa, and try to get in his good books in this home stretch. Remember, if you don't believe, you won't receive!

Tables and more tables

     I thought I'd share with you another harvest table and matching bench I made for a customer.
     Also, I made three sets of night stands (or side tables) - these are 4" higher than I normally make them - they were 28" high but customers were wanting them higher because the mattress are so much higher now a days.  These night table tops measure 18"×18".

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Old Parlour Set to TV Stand/Sofa Table

     I got this old parlour set last week.  When I got it home I was close to using it for firewood because it was in such bad shape.  But then I got thinking if I cut it up and used various pieces I could make something out of it.  In the end I made a T.V. Stand / Sofa Table from the parts. 




Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Davenport Desk - modified

      I picked up this really need desk last week which I just learned is called a "Davenport Desk".  It has three drawers down one side - a very unusual piece.  The desk seemed really low - it must have had something cut off the bottom so I built a new base for it to make it desk height, then painted it.
What is a Davenport Desk?  From www.wikipedia.org
     A Davenport desk, is a small desk with an inclined lifting desktop attached with hinges to the back of the body.  Lifting the desktop accesses a large compartment with storage space for paper and other writing implements, and smaller spaces in the forms of small drawers and pigeonholes.  The Davenport has drawers on one of its sides, which are sometimes concealed by a panel. This stack of side drawers holds up the back of the desk and most of its weight. The front of the desk stands on thick legs or pillars which are often highly carved, somewhat exaggerated, thick cabriole legs, but these are not essential. 19th century Davenport desks had a variety of different leg designs.  The desk shape is distinctive; its top part resembles an antique school desk while the bottom is like one half of the supports of a pedestal desk turned sideways. The addition of the two legs in front completes the odd effect.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Stepback Cupboards

     I just finished these two stepback cupboards and have them still in my shop.
     The white one is old  - I spent the day working on it and put new glass in the top door.  I noticed on the back of a drawer, written in pencil, that it was made in 1904.
     The green stepback started as a side board, then I added the top to turn it into a stepback - it comes apart in two pieces for easy moving.
Both of these are for sale.