Ben
I have always enjoyed woodworking. The entire process, from the milling to the finished product is intriguing to me. That's the reason I bought an Alaskan Mill, which is an attachment for your chain saw that allows you to cut lumber. (Check out the video.)
As I have aged, like a fine wine, I obtained more resources and knowledge, and therefore wanted to expand my projects. There are only so many coffee tables you can build.
I was looking around for new projects and discovered resin tables. After some experimentation, I realized I spent more time and effort on the resin than the wood. I wanted the focus to be on the wood.
My wife was working with copper for jewelry and some other projects. I suggested that we combine our interests. I could build unique wood frames, she would build a unique piece, and use the resin as a highlight to our work. Despite what my wife tells you, this was my idea.
All of the woodworking is unique, and built from lumber I have milled (made into boards from the tree) or resourced.
For example, some frames are Spalted Maple, taken from a tree in our backyard that used to hold our children’s treehouse. Poplar boards from that same treehouse have been used for frames and furniture.
Two coffee tables are re-sourced tongue and groove pine from a 1700’s house that stood in Carlisle, PA. I will be making some shadow boxes...soon.
There is a fallen oak that I have milled. Some of the wood has been used as round slab coffee tables, live edge furniture, milled and used as traditional pieces, or frames for copper-resin work.
Other resourced wood comes from my neighbor's porch, a different neighbor’s outbuilding, my father-in-law's woods, and even some chestnut studs from my house.