Hi My Wood Crafts

We have some old friends, known experts, both professional and amateur, but mainly new contacts, which is exciting, and we look forward to input from everyone.  http://wwpdfplans.com It is good to see and I'm sure we can make this an interesting and informative forum.

I am trying to maintain the focus here on European design because it is a rich and varied legacy and not well served by organised maker-forums. Having said that it has become apparent that the influence of Chinese heritage in particular is perhaps stronger than I realised and we are exploring those roots.

Starting from centuries of craft tradition, based on functionality and available resources, design and construction has evolved through Arts and Crafts with influences of Art Nouveau and Art Deco from Europe and America into the modern age. Scandinavia had and has a huge influence in what is now popularly called "Mid Century Modern" (my own personal favourite) and the legacy of all of those has been refined and improved by generations of designers and architects whose influence is still visible. At the same time tooling and production techniques have evolved both in factories and home workshops and so called "designer" products abound (I wonder who designs the rest?). It is likely there are more small designer/makers now than at any time in history and they are generally better equipped and, in many cases more skilled, than their predecessors. Also general prosperity has increased the available market for their products, which is an essential requirement.

see this: http://pdfwoodplans.com/

The list of key individuals is endless and, of course, a personal choice, but for me the pivotal figures are Finn Juhl, who really started the Scandi mod era; Hans Wegner who made the ultimate chairs, surely the acid test of furniture making; Alva Alto with his beautiful yet simple designs which have stood the test of time and kept IKEA in business; Arne Jacobsen with his graceful chairs which became so famous (think Christine Keeler); CR Mackintosh for enduring style (if very uncomfortable); Sam Maloof for his sublime rocking chairs and philosophy; download pdf plans and last but not least James Krenov, who is truly the Marmite of furniture designer makers. He certainly wasn't 100% right and apparently a fairly objectionable person, but he opened up some wonderful avenues in furniture making and provided considerable food for thought along the way.

It would be interesting to hear your views on what has influenced your work.

I will post up members work as a header pic which will be changed regularly, so go for it, we've got some great work out there.

For now keep on posting so that we build up a body of work and information which will attract others, allow the forum to grow and generate the networking opportunities which are so valuable and enjoyable.

Please respect the ethos of this group being the philosophy, design and making of projects. It is not a sales site.

Thanks woodwork site