Working in the Studio

Working in the Studio
Originally uploaded by talinaripperarts

Jacob staining foot rests with Michael. "Yep, put 'em to work!" That is what we say. No, really, it has always been our dream to create with children underfoot, and look... We are living our dream!

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What is Wormy Maple?

Tuesday night, we attended the annual picnic at Maple Tree Glass Studio for our chapter of TACA (Tennessee Association of Craft Artists). Upon overhearing conversation among Michael and some of the other woodworkers, I was confused. I always understood "wormy" maple to be maple wood with markings left from some worm... I knew it was also sometimes called ambrosia maple. What was curious to me, is that last night I found out that is isn't worms at all that cause these markings, it is the ambrosia beetle. ( <--Warning: I don't like pictures of bugs, if you don't either, don't check this Wikipedia link)

Worm holes left from a beetle??? Even more confused, I began searching the web this morning. I found this from a site www.justthedoors.com "wormy maple aka ambrosia maple, this comes from regular soft maple trees that have been infested by the ambrosia beetle. The small beetle bores a network of tunnels and short galleries called cradles. A fungus is responsible for the black and gray streaks that accompany each tunnel and adjacent wood. The streaks add a unique look to this hardwood without affecting its structural integrity. This wood is mostly found in the central part of Eastern United States."

Still scouring the web to find more information, lastly, I found this: http://www.appalachianwood.org/species/species.htm which says NOTHING about ambrosia maple, but I like how it broke up the native Appalachian hardwoods, and it is a very informative site! Stay tuned... As I find more interesting information, I will pass it on. To check out our newest ambrosia maple cutting board, go to our Etsy shop, http://ripperarts.etsy.com

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Cherry Cutting Board

Sometimes the most simple boards are my favorite, although I do like the boards with a lot of character as well. I wanted to share our newest listing with you. This board is cherry with a maple handle. Read the full description and see more pictures on our Etsy product page. {Sorry, this board sold in the gallery today, July 2nd.} Fine art in the photo is by http://cdsaadeh.etsy.com. We are http://ripperarts.etsy.com

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New Listing!

Copied from the listing on Etsy: Give a green gift! Or treat yourself! READY TO SHIP! More recycled oak wood flooring products! These are a great size for various functions! Use as a trivet or hot plate to protect your table and countertops. Use as a coaster. It will hold an extra large cup and protect your furniture from those unsightly rings! I think they'd also work nicely as a candle holder. Let us know if you find ANOTHER use for them. All pieces are handmade by Michael. They are finished with 100% food safe exotic nut oil. They are each one of a kind but are approximately 4 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches and 5/8 inches thick.This listing is for ONE trivet. Others pictured for display only. Each trivet has Michael's "potter's mark" burned into it. The trivets will have various natural markings including knots. Vase in background was also made by Michael, look for future pottery listings soon. Click on the photo to go to Etsy and see more product pictures!

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Help with Packaging

We had an order that we shipped out on Saturday. Usually, Michael takes the cutting boards to work to package and ships via UPS. Well, this time he brought packaging material home to ship out via USPS on Saturday. We recycle packaging material whenever possible, and Michael has easy access to boxes and bubble wrap from the gallery where he currently works in Banner Elk, NC.

Sometimes, I wonder why we, as parents, even spend money on toys :) when a roll of packing tape, old box, and used bubble wrap will more than suffice and entertain. Oh, and excuse the dirty face and floppy socks, just downtime at the house. Real life with the Rippers. Living our art!

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Michael's Studio

This past weekend, when we walked through the loft, we actually walked through Michael's studio and our future gallery first. The studio/gallery will be finished before our loft. We may even be moving in to the studio next weekend (March 28).

So the first picture is the outside. Where there is plastic, there are windows. They removed the paint from the exterior exposing the building's original brick. They are accenting with dry stack stone. The second photo is in Michael's studio. You can see the original tin ceiling and amazing entrance from the outside with windows to the ceiling. The third picture is taken from INSIDE Michael's studio looking into the gallery. Pictured is the building owner and artist Cindy Saadeh. She has an Etsy shop and a separate web site http://www.cindysaadeh.com/ She will also have a studio on the other side of Michael's studio in the back of the building. The carpenter was putting shelves into niches that were old windows that had been bricked up. In the final photo you see me and Quinn in the foreground watching the carpenter. You can really see the color of the brick. You can also see how they've painted the tin ceiling black. The last major thing needing to be finished is the acid staining of the concrete flooring and then we can begin to move in. This is how close the studio/gallery is to our loft:

See the yellow pins? The loft and studio/gallery are actually on the same city block! We are so excited! It is almost surreal that the time has arrived to begin planning to move in! Wow!

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Another Center Cut!

This board is handmade by Michael, and pieces of wood are handpicked by Michael to emphasize natural beauty and contain knots and curl. This board is made from solid, mineral stained {by nature}, wormy aka ambrosia maple {if you look closely, you will see a few bird's eyes} with two handles made from black walnut! This piece has very unique markings in the wood. Dimensions are approximately 9.5" by 15.5" without handle, 23.5" long with handles, and 3/4" thick. Hole in the center is approximately 4 1/4 by 1 1/4 inches.

"What?!" You may exclaim, "You want me to buy a cutting board with a HOLE in it?!" Well, the hole serves a purpose. You can place your cutting board on top of your pot or bowl and rake ingredients into it THROUGH THAT HOLE! No more messy stoves or countertops! The two handled design also makes it the perfect size to place over your sink. Add the convenience of the hole in the center, and you can quickly and easily scrape food into a colander or your waste into the garbage disposal! Very clever, if I can brag on my husband and his ORIGINAL design.

To see more photos, go the the listing page: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22310046

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Go Green!

Sorry to have skipped yesterday's post, but I took a much needed computer vacation! Now, back to blogging...

This is what we are all about! Michael loves to re-purpose whenever possible, and here is an example. He saw this amazing wood from a shipping crate at work. He thought he could make some very cool cutting boards (yes, we have more than one) from it...

This board is made from an unknown exotic wood (sometimes referred to as "jungle wood"). It is very lightweight. There are very cool nail marks on the back (seen in last picture). Handmade by Michael and hand finished with 100% food safe exotic nut oil. The board pictured is the one you are purchasing. It measures 13" by 4 3/4" and 5/8" thick. Perfect size for use as a sandwich board! Or if you'd rather, use it as a display board. Place candles or incense on it. Decorative and functional!

If you'd like to see the listing on Etsy, click on photo. If you'd like to see the listing on ArtFire, click here. See affordable price and more pictures!

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Inspired to List

Yesterday we sold a cutting board! It was our first cutting board sale on Etsy since before Christmas. This sale inspired me to list two new items. Michael created new cutting boards last week for a custom request/sale from a repeat customer. She only wanted one cutting board, but he made three. We intended to list the other two, but hadn't gotten around to it.

When this sale came through, Michael got the email notification on his Blackberry Storm first, and texted me. I looked it up online from home on the laptop. That inspired me to pull out the poster board, camera, and new cutting boards. While Quinn was napping I photographed and listed these two new boards. I am very pleased with the photographs! One board is cherry with an ambrosia maple handle. The other board is cherry, with a beautiful knot and a mineral stained {by nature} curly maple handle. I think they are beautiful, but then again, I think ALL of my husband's work is beautiful!

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Share the Love

We are enjoying meeting fellow crafters and artisans. Etsy is such a neat community of people with ecclectic talents. Melinda in her blog, Autumn Olive, featured our Center Cut Cutting Board, Mineral Stained Maple and Cherry Two-Handled. We appreciate the feature among talented Etsy sellers. Check out her blog post and her Etsy shop, after all, it's about sharing the love--the love for all things handmade. Thanks, Melinda!

Photo is of Melinda's Pyramid Pin Cushion in Turquoise and Red.

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Affordable Handmade Solid Hardwood Cutting Boards

Perfectly priced! These cutting boards are only $20-25! Great as a housewarming gift or a wedding gift. Buy a cutting board, some cheese, crackers, fruit, wrap in cellophane add ribbon and voila!

Handmade by Michael, the first board in solid black walnut finished only with exotic nut oil, as are ALL of our boards, and is 100% food safe.
This second board is made from solid cherry hardwood. It has a lovely curved top edge and is very thick. Nice cutting area.
I saved my favorite for last. This wormy, solid maple cutting board has a unique ribbon of color through it left behind from the worm who used to reside in it.

Please read "Why Wood?" Support the arts! Buy handmade! Use functional art in your home!

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Colors of the Rainbow Crochet Clutch

Listed today! Colors of the Rainbow Crochet Clutch

ONE OF A KIND!!! This crochet clutch is just the right size to place in another bag or carry alone. Crocheted by Talina with a merino blend handspun/handdyed yarn by EvergreenCreations and then felted. It is finished off with a beautiful handmade {by Michael} maple button and various fibers/ribbons. Dimensions are approximately 7" by 5.5".

I tend to be a perfectionist, and Michael is always saying "embrace handmade" meaning to celebrate the qualities that make handmade items unique. In this piece I express colorful creativity and asymmetry! When felted the right side of the flap drew up more than the left, leaving the interesting angle. To accent that, I placed the button to the left and weaved a narrow red ribbon along the edge of the flap! The felting has made this pouch thick and cushion-y. Perfect to protect your electronics/valuables.

GO TO OUR ETSY SHOP TO SEE MORE!!!

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Why Wood?

I've been doing Internet reading about wood vs. plastic cutting boards. Why wood? Our simple answer is: It's natural. On the contrary, plastic is "synthetic" or "semi-synthetic" per Wikipedia. We choose to prepare food that our family eats on natural, wooden cutting boards.

How sanitary is a wooden cutting board? Just as sanitary as a plastic one, if not more sanitary! Studies have shown that for some reason (my guess/reasoning is Mother Nature), bacteria do not multiply on wood like they do on plastic. You might reply, "But isn't plastic easier to clean than wood?" Studies have shown that on a smooth surface, yes, plastic is easier to clean. But what are we doing on a CUTTING board? Cutting! And the same study shows that after using a knife on a wooden cutting board and a plastic board "more bacteria are recovered from a used plastic surface than from a used wood surface."

Clean your wooden cutting board with kosher salt or sea salt. It is naturally antibacterial. It not only cleans, but also removes stains and odors. Rub salt into your cutting board, add hot water making a paste, and then rub clean with a sponge.

Still can't get past the fact that you can't throw your cutting board into the dishwasher or soak it in hot water? Then do as this chef does:

I branded a small “V” on one side and an “M” on the other. V for veggies and M for meat. ALWAYS prep your RAW vegetables first, and then flip it over to prep your meats. Then, of course, sanitize when both sides when you’re finished prepping. You should never have to worry about cross–contamination if you use my method. - Hope this helps others! (4/28/08) John PaaProduction ChefWhole Foods Market (Harbor East)Baltimore, MD

Or better yet, buy TWO wooden cutting boards--one for your veggies and one for meats! Visit our Etsy shop http://ripperarts.etsy.com/ to view our various sizes, wood species, styles, and prices of our HANDMADE WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS!

Online sources:

http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/docliver/Research/cuttingboard.htm
http://whatscookingamerica.net/CuttingBoards/AllAbout.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-should-i-choose-between-a-wood-and-plastic-cutting-board.htm

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