Modern furniture, thoughtfully made.

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Alex Jaynes uses traditional woodworking methods to create modern, thoughtfully made furniture. A former NASA engineer, he strives to balance beauty with elegant function. His work blends the subtlety of Scandinavian and Japanese design with the Shaker tradition's aesthetics of simplicity, utility, and honesty.

 

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I had an awesome time learning chip carving from @saturdayboxco yesterday. I have been stuck in the world of power tools for the past month, and this new hand tool adventure was much needed. The feeling of a sharp blade cutting wood, the fine detail work, the intense concentration and focus. It was a special kind of therapy.
I took advantage of the @lostartpress open storefront on Saturday and bought a couple books to add to my fledgling woodworking collection. It was great to meet @burnheartmade and everyone else there, as well as see in person several pieces that I have watched them make online (a staked chair and workbench, Jennie shaker chairs, a Roman workbench, the workbench I based mine on). These people have been and will continue to be a major influence on me and the things I build. It was a fun trip and I hope to make it back soon.
Trying to come up with the purrfect caption is always tough.
Things are coming together on this big project I’m helping @oldnorthdesigns with. @gustafrooth and I assembled and sanded all 24 of these booth bases. One of the other shops in town has an old box joint machine that @oldnorthdesigns used for this show corner. Check that profile for the video. Talk about an awesome machine . . . We are now onto doors. And these doors are going to be awesome. Wait until you see them. They look simple, but there is a lot of thought and engineering going into them. Also time. Lots of time.
This is the prototype for a large batch of keepsake boxes. If you want on for someone special put your order in now!
Happy #smallbusinesssaturday . . Here is the Riverdale Stick Chair, one example of the handmade furniture I make here in Knoxville, TN. This is my interpretation of a traditional Welsh stick chair, a form that has been around since the 12th century. It is an example of staked furniture where the legs penetrate the thick seat with a sturdy conical through tenon. This is an incredibly strong joint that allows for more extreme rake and splay of the legs creating a modern look while using traditional joinery. This three-legged version is striking to look at and stable on all surfaces. . . . I have a few pieces for sale, including this chair, if you are looking for a gift that will last a lifetime.