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Welcome to the new subscribers to my newsletter!
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When I hand-paint or marble book edges, one of the first steps is to put boards on either side of the book, then use clamps to hold the book and the boards together tightly. This helps keep the paint on the edges of the book, so it doesn’t seep onto the pages.
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I originally was using medium density fiberboard (MDF). This is the stuff that they use for making clipboards.
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For doing painted edges, it was good enough.
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However, the marbling involves too much water. The MDF boards were warping. I needed a better solution.
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The first thing I tried was plexiglass. It’s light weight, rigid, and waterproof. Cutting it precisely is an absolute pain in the ass, though. I have a couple of pieces of it cut to size now. The effort wasn’t worth it.
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Instead, I bought a big piece of what’s known as “hobby wood.” This particular piece was made of finished plywood, and about 2’ square, 1/2” thick. As we have a table saw, it was very easy to get precise pieces from it.
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I sanded off the rough edges, then did three coats of shellac on the boards, followed by a coat of polyacrylic. It’ll be another week or so before I can try them, as I’m heading to Portland on Monday. However, the boards are lightweight, the perfect size, and should be waterproof.
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Then it occurred to me that not everyone would know how to refinish wood that way, they wouldn’t have the tools and sealers on hand.
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My parents collected antique furniture. My dad taught me how to refinish furniture and wood when I was a kid. I learned through osmosis how to judge the quality of antique furniture. They didn’t collect many antique knick-knacks, the kind that you find at most antique stores. No, they had big pieces; like the bird’s-eye maple roll-top desk that my dad had, the dry sinks, the cherry wood harvest table, the lawyer’s bookcases, the tiffany lamp, etc.
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We used to refer to my dad as the Chair King. He had a LOT of what are referred to as spoon-back, or spindle-back chairs. When my parents moved from my childhood home, I believe that we counted twenty six of these chairs stashed away either in the garage or in the attic. This isn’t a picture of one of his chairs, but something I found on the internet that is exactly what he had in abundance.
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My dad learned how to do caning. Even taught me at one point, but this is now decades ago and I don’t really remember precisely how to do it. He knew how to do both the weaving of the cane to make a chair seat, as well as the pound-in cane. Again, random picture of a chair from the internet. We had a chair that looked just like this, that he refinished as well as did all the caning on it.
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This is one of my antique chairs. I have a set of four of them. They’re probably from the 1950s. There is a sticker on the bottom of them that says, “Louis Rastetter & Sons Co – The SOLID KUMFORT Folding Chair – Fort Wayne, Ind USA”
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I’ve never refinished them, but I did have to fix a couple of them, put in additional screws as the seat was coming loose. I love them so much. They are a connection to my childhood. My dad would have wanted me to refinish them, but he’d still be happy that I have them.
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One last picture. I figure this table is also from the 1950s. It’s not a particularly good or expensive antique, but it means a lot to me. I don’t remember when my parents bought it,. It’s been around, though, since I was a kid. It was in my brothers’ room (they shared a bedroom). After they moved out, I took possession of it. It's a small table, and both sides will fold out.
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This table was originally painted a dark red. It is the first piece of furniture that I refinished all by myself. My dad answered questions when I had them, and made suggestions, but I did all the work. I'm still proud of this table and I’ve kept it with me through all the moves and downsizing.
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And I think that’s it for today.
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What sorts of hobbies or things did you learn from your parents, that you continue doing today?
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Book Release Party! Oct 23! 4-6 PM! We Be Book'N in Monroe, WA
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I'm having a book release party for How to Wake a Sleeping Princess! Come join me at We Be Book'N in Monroe, WA on October 23, from 4-6 PM. I have specialty red and green M&Ms to give away, swag bags, and other treats! Hope to see you there!
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19602 State Route 2
Monroe, Washington 98272-1536
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Plus, the ebook will be available starting Oct 10 from the Knotted Road Press store. The print version is already available. The book will be generally available Oct 21.
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Woo and hoo! I was invited to be in ths Space Opera Sisterhood story bundle. Basically, this is a collection of FIFTEEN novels that you can get for just $30. You should go check this out, as this deal will only run for a few weeks, then it'll leave orbit forever.
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October has started, and KRP is continuing the cozy theme. So we're offering one of my other very popular cozy titles up for sale this month.
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Chocolates and Truffles and Bon Bons, O My!
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Shar Opalbender hates her life.
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Okay, maybe that’s a bit strong. Emo, even.
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Despite her Dwarven heritage, and her family’s expectations, Shar finds no joy in faceting, setting, or polishing gemstones.
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What better way to prove herself to her family (and herself) than to enter, and win, the Realms’ renowned contest, Chocolates Galore!
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And maybe, just maybe, with some magic, luck, and a little help from her friends, Shar also can discover the true meaning of life.
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If there is one beyond chocolate.
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Come enjoy this lovely cozy fantasy with low stakes, delicious chocolates, lots of breaking of the fourth wall, and utter silliness.
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This is our annual cozy issue!
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What sorts of crimes take place when students are on a spring break? Or perhaps what happens at an abandoned campus?
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Come see what the syndicate of MCM has dreamed up.
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Available at all reputable–and some not so reputable–retailers.
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