Offended, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

This fellow was apparently offended by me on a couple of levels. When he sent the first message on Facebook (he’s not among my Friends) it was during atheist week, and he apparently took exception to me based on my icon being the official Atheist Week “A” that was going around. I hadn’t really POSTED anything inflammatory, just the notification of it BEING Atheist Week. He was worried for my soul, I guess. Just looking out for me.

By the time I noticed his message, I had changed my icon to the dog, a reference to my new “Signed, The Dog” Twitter account ( twitter.com/SignedTheDog ). Well this too was a problem for him, apparently.

Can’t please everybody I guess.

Keyring Whistles with Secret Compartment, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

I made these from walnut for a simple look. The compartment is about the right size for a rolled-up $20 bill. Or a $100 bill if you’re that blessed…

Recent Projects: Longwood Click Pens, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

These are a new (to me) design, called “Longwood Click Pens”. Aptly named, because they’re a decent size, and the single-barrel construction really shows off the wood. And they’re the only “click”-style pen I’ve encountered, so that’s refreshing too.

Woods are (l-r) Zebrawood (2), Pink Ivory, Walnut, Paduak, Cherry, Lacewood.

Small PineTable, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

The “design” for this is not only dead simple, but was lifted from an existing table of ours, which was kind of messed up and needed replacing. Just four straight legs, four stretchers mortised into the legs, and a square top made from four narrower boards. If this table was a song, it would definitely be in 4/4 time.

Magnifying Glasses, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

A couple of magnifiers, made from a wood called Pau Ferro, which is kind of a more interesting walnut.

My Bad-ass Cane, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

I recently slipped on the ice in our driveway while taking the dogs out for a walk. Lying there in the snow, I wondered if *I* would ever walk again. I had to crawl through the fresh powder (covering the ice) to reach a doorknob to help pull myself upright, and hobble in agony back into the house. Let’s not even TALK about negotiating the stairs.

But that was a couple of days ago, and now I have this very bad-ass walking cane. It’s a bit of a mystery, we’re not quite sure where it came from or what its story is, but for now, its story is that it helps me stay upright for short periods of time.

I’m doing a very good cranky-old-geezer impression, waving it around and making demands. Nobody much listens, but it does make me feel better. A little.

Craftsman-style Oak Book Shelves, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

I made two more of these, this time actually paying attention to the length of the shelf, which I made too short in the earlier version. Although the short one looks great where it is, these would actually be too long. Context is everything, right?

Oak bookshelf, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

Fun little oak bookshelf I made from some pretty nice quarter-sawn white oak… has some nice figure… simple double-boiled linseed oil finish…

Five Wine Stoppers, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

Another smart shopper allowed me to make these bottle stoppers in plenty of time for her holiday gift list. The three on the left are made from Pau Ferro, and the two on the right are Padauk. These are two of my favourite woods to work with. I also enjoy James Woods, but not so much Tiger Woods, though I’ve never actually worked with either of them.

Ten Wine Stoppers, originally uploaded by rgdaniel.

Nov. 18, 2010: From a variety of woods (curly maple, padauk, pau ferro), these ten bottle stoppers are all for a very clever client who got her holiday shopping done early! But I can always make more, just holler…