Tag Archives: Colonial Williamsburg Cabinet Shop

My, what big feet you have…

Posted on July 13, 2014 by anthonyhayshop

As I begin working on the 1707 Philadelphia Escritoire (the English also call this a scriptor, if you lack confidence in your French pronunciation), I am scrambling to find material of sufficient thickness.  The case parts on this are really heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in Casework, Turning, Wood | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Did somebody sign something in Philadelphia?

Posted on July 4, 2014 by anthonyhayshop

I have spent a good portion of this Independence Day thinking about something signed in Philadelphia in the eighteenth century.  No, it’s not what you think.  It’s Edward Evans, not John Hancock et al.  It’s 1707, not 1776. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Casework, Desks, Shop Happenings, Symposium | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Inaugural Meeting of the Tidewater SAPFM chapter

Posted on April 20, 2014 by anthonyhayshop

The Society of American Period Furniture Makers has a new chapter catering to eastern Virginia and North Carolina. First of all, a special thanks to Bill Caillet and the folks at the Norfolk Woodcraft for their hospitality and letting SAPFM use … Continue reading →

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The Finished Finials – finally

Posted on November 13, 2013 by anthonyhayshop

We’ve had a project in the shop I’d like to tell you all about. Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Trades Department is working with The Museum of the American Revolution to construct a copy of George Washington’s wartime Headquarters- “The First Oval … Continue reading →

Posted in Shop Happenings, Sundry Historical Matters, Tools, Turning | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

On the Trail of William Buckland; the Beginning and the End

Posted on October 11, 2013 by anthonyhayshop

Months ago my wife and I planned a trip to Annapolis with some friends, long before the subject of the 2014 Working Wood Symposium was decided. (Before our shop study trip to MESDA, and our trip to Gunston Hall.)  We … Continue reading →

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Walnut Desk and Bookcase Part I: The Bookcase

Posted on August 13, 2013 by anthonyhayshop

A little over a year ago, we completed work on this walnut desk and bookcase.  If you’ve been through the shop over the past few years, you may recognize this piece — it had been one of those on-again-mostly-off-again affairs. … Continue reading →

Posted in Casework, Desks, Joinery | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Current Projects

Posted on October 24, 2012 by anthonyhayshop

Cabinet shop projects progress with fits and starts. It is especially satisfying to return to interrupted projects and complete them. The Chinese style elbow chair pictured above is based on a London original in Colonial Williamsburg’s collection. The old chair … Continue reading →

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Spinet Braces Attached

Posted on May 13, 2012 by anthonyhayshop

Hello all: Next phase of the spinet is complete.  I’ve glued and nailed the tulip poplar triangular knee braces into the interior of the case.  Follow the captions on the photos (don’t forget to click on them for closeup views) … Continue reading →

Posted in Harpsichords and Spinets | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hey Irene! Thanks for the Walnut, Now Leave Us Alone!

Posted on March 10, 2012 by anthonyhayshop

On Saturday August 27, 2011 Hurricane Irene hit the Virginia Peninsula with the kind of ferocity that will make her hard to forget.  Colonial Williamsburg’s structures withstood the storm quite well, but the same cannot be said for the area’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Wood | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Hello Again and Some Rules for Varnishing

Posted on February 21, 2012 by anthonyhayshop

First of all, we’re back and we plan on blogging far more regularly this year.  Thanks for sticking with us! Secondly: Happy New Year Everyone!  …I know that seems belated, but here in the Anthony Hay Shop the new year … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Readings, Finishing, Sundry Historical Matters | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments