Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part final

Hello everyone,

Well this is it folks! The final part of the custom orchid frames. I had a great time with these and I hope my client will enjoy it just as much. 

Dipping the orchid in a rich walnut dye. Dipping the piece allows all the edges of
all the cutouts to be stained evenly. I had to make a shop made container to hold the dye,
since the piece was so large.

To get rid of all the excess stain, I simply place it face up onto some shop towels. This also prevents
excess stain from pooling and drying up in the corners of the cutouts.

I also stain the back of the frame and make sure to stain the interior orchid. 

After the stain has dried, I get the pieces ready to be glued. To ensure perfect alignment,
I made a simple right angle alignment jig.  

To finish off the frame, I veneer the edges. I simply stain the edges afterward to complete the frame.
To protect the frame I apply 3 coats of a spray polyurethane finish.

This completes the project. I hope you will join me for the reveal.

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part 3

Hello,

Welcome back for part 3! I am having so much fun with these frames! 

Now that I have cut the interior orchid and the window of the frame, I carefully remove the top cut-out with
a putty knife. This is a slow process, but it is the safest way I can think of.

I then use the table saw and miter gauge to cut miters on the back parts of the frame. These parts will help to  provide clearance of the picture turns

I glue the mitered parts to the back of the frame, making sure to use cauls to fully adhere the parts. To make the glue up 
go smoothly, I first glue each opposing corner, then complete the glue-up by bringing these two corners together at a later stage.

A detail shot of the miters.




Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part 2

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back for part 2 of my newest project!

I attach the top cut-out to the bottom part of the frame using double stick tape.  I use some simple right angle alignment jigs to perfectly align the parts. 

I rout a recess on the back of the frame assembly where the interior orchid  is situated. I  do this so that the orchid will sit directly on the glass. I then fill in the recess with shop scraps to make it level with the back.

I then use the scroll saw to carefully cut out the orchid and the window of the frame. 

Using an mdf template made to fit the frame precisely, I rout the recess or rabbet on the back of the frame which will house the glass, matted picture and back panel. 

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part 1

Hi Everyone,

I have an exciting project to share with you! I have been asked to make a pair of 18 inch square picture frames based on my orchid design. The frames will be hung side by side on the wall and one frame will hold a vertical photo while the other will hold a horizontal one. I had to come up with a way to balance the vertical with the horizontal within a square frame (the original design is rectangular and it holds a 4 x 6 photo) so I tweaked my design a bit to accommodate this challenge.

   

My proposal to the client showing the two frames side by side and the full size pattern in background.
The pattern will be temporarily bonded to the top part of the frame.

Using the shop made crosscut sled with a stop block clamped to fence to cut all parts true and square.

Using the drill press to drill blade entry holes for the scroll saw blade. Before I did this however I
taped a scrap backer to prevent tear-out on the back of the cut out. 

At the scroll saw cutting out the pattern. Since this is a large piece I have to  take extra care with my cuts.

The almost completed cut-out with the scrap backer removed. I will temporarily attach the cut-out to the bottom part of the frame to cut out the window and the last orchid.

Please join me next time to see the frames come together!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Double Twelve Domino Set - Part 1

Hello Everyone!

First I'd like to wish everyone a very healthy, happy and prosperous 2011!

Like I have promised before, here are a few sneek shots of the double twelve domino set.

All the parts layed out to make the maple top and contrasting walnut bottom. I have grouped 4 tiles together on one rectangular piece of maple.

Using my right angle alignment jig (as seen in my book Simply Wood) to make sure the paper pattern is pefectly positioned on the maple as it is glued down.

At the drill press drilling many, many holes!

Still at the drill press! This time I'm using a countersink bit to champfer the drilled holes to add some dimension to the plain hole.

My gluing station. Gluing the maple top to the walnut bottom using my trusty right alignment jig.

Please return for more sneek shots!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Alberta Rose Recipe Box - Part 4

Hi All,

In this part of the project I will focus on scrolling out the rose design. I will be using the drill press equipped with a 1/16" diameter drill bit to drill the blade entry holes. I will also cut a walnut backer piece to insert into the recess that was routed out in part 3. So let's get started!

As you will soon see, all interior cuts in a particular pattern or design requires a hole for the scroll saw blade to be threaded through. This rose design is no different. I do recommend that you use a drill press instead of a hand held drill to perform this task. A drill press will give you much better accuracy and ensures that the hole is drilled at a perfect right angle to the work piece. This accuracy is very important with a delicate design such as this. I always use a scrap backer piece to prevent awful tearout at the back of the piece.

For this design I used a # 2/0 blade since the cuts are so fine. I always like to start with the most delicate cuts first, if at all possible. It's always a good idea to leave larger surface interior cuts for the very last.

Voila! Here we have the finished rose cut-out! Not too shabby huh?

Now to the back of the cut-out. Remember the recess I cut in an earlier part? Well now would be a good time to fill it. I cut a nice piece of contrasting walnut to the exact dimensions of the opening on the tablesaw.

However, before I was ready to glue it in place I had to clean up the back of the cut-out. I simply got rid of any burrs by giving the back a light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper.

Well that's about it for this part. Please return for part 5 of the Alberta Rose Recipe Box, when I will be ready for the big glue up!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Elsa's Jewelry Box

Hi Everyone!

This jewelry box is my new studio piece that was built especially for Elsa. She is the one who took the great step-by-step photos for my book Simply wood. She was also instrumental in the preparation of the manuscript. I will always be indebted to her. Thank you Elsa!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Mokajade Fan Page on Facebook

I am excited to bring to you my new fan page on Facebook. Please check it out and if you like it...please click like to become a fan. It will be a connection between people out there who appreciate the fine art of crafting and those who support the brave souls who pursue it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Roshaan

I'm in the Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazine!

I have always wanted to have my work featured in a magazine that I have been reading for at least 8 years now. It is called Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts and it is published by Fox Chapel Publishing...yes the same publisher of my book Simply Wood. Well, I am very excited to say that I have achieved just that! Today I received a few copies of the issue that I will be featured in. I am over the moon! I can't contain my excitement! Please pick up the holiday issue today!

Roshaan

Simply Wood on Amazon

So, I googled my name the other night and ...come on... I know you all google your own name sometimes...you know who you are. I was pleasantly surprised to find my book on amazon! Of course it's not being released just yet. The release date is scheduled for November 2010. I just wanted to share the link with you. So here it is...Simply Wood!

Roshaan

Simply Wood...

Two simple words, with a lot to say. These words also make up the fitting title to my new book. It is slated to be released sometime this fall. I received the first draft to review this week. I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome! The fiercely talented folks at Fox Chapel Publishing did a phenominal job with every detail of the book. From the editing, the photography, the layout and design...everything has a nice flow and nothing is out of place. Images of the book is, for obvious reasons top secret for now, but as soon as I get the greenlight, you will have a front-row seat.

Roshaan