Woodworks by John

Here's my latest blog showing a new picture frame design -- enjoy!
https://woodworksbyjohn.com/2026/03/18/imitation-is-the-sincerest-form-of-flattery/

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

I'm betting that many of you have heard the phrase so that's why I'm using it for this blog. It's a phrase that has been attributed to many different people. This frame showed up on my Pinterest one day and it really appealed to me. It was originally from The Frame Blog which discussed Australian artists work from the late 1800's....

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery I’m betting that many of you have heard the phrase so that’s why I’m using it for this blog. It’s a phrase that has been attributed to many different people. This frame show…

A bit of Whimsy and Milk Paint: Frame #280

Once Upon a Time Corner Detail Here's the most recent frame from my shop and it was fun to create so thought I'd share the story! It's oil on canvas measuring 12"x16" and by my wife, Diane Eugster. When I first saw it in her studio my mind went to a wood nymph; whatever that may be! This painting needed something other than a traditional black/gold frame, something more fun and maybe with a bit of whimsical carving to enhance it....

A bit of Whimsy and Milk Paint: Frame #280 Once Upon a Time Corner Detail Here’s the most recent frame from my shop and it was fun to create so thought I’d share the story! It’s oil on canvas measuring 12″x16″ …

Inspiration and trial piece Lay out and starting technique Those of you who follow my work know that I'm often inspired to create a frame when I go into Diane's studio and see a work in progress. Well, recently I saw a dancer that she was painting and immediately thought Flamenco and visualized the fans I've seen Flamenco dancers use. Next thing you know I'm searching the net for pictures!!...

Carved Fans: Frame for a Dancer Inspiration and trial piece Lay out and starting technique Those of you who follow my work know that I’m often inspired to create a frame when I go into Diane’s studio and see a work in…

What you need My cove cutting jig Cutting coves seems like a job more suited to a shaper or perhaps a very large router. However; did you know your table saw is a great tool for this purpose? When building a piece of furniture you won't find moldings to match the wood species you're using so need to make your own....

Cutting Coves on Table Saw What you need My cove cutting jig Cutting coves seems like a job more suited to a shaper or perhaps a very large router. However; did you know your table saw is a great tool for this purpose? When …

Plastic molded tray (probably imported!) or hand made Steamed Beech? I'm sure I'm not the only woodworker who enjoys creating something that's relatively simple and challenging that will serve a purpose. I love the challenge of making furniture and picture frames but this had some techniques not usually used and would be useful -- enter the bathroom drawer tray! I have some leftover Beech which was resawn from furniture projects that required 8/4 material, the pieces were approximately 3/8" and 3/16" thick....

Wood or Plastic: What’s your Choice? Plastic molded tray (probably imported!) or hand made Steamed Beech? I’m sure I’m not the only woodworker who enjoys creating something that’s relatively simple and challenging th…

Things have been somewhat disorganized in the shop lately! I needed to replicate a previous frame ( #256) to send to Diane's gallery in Carmel to replace a painting sold there, somewhat confusing but it involved a commission Diane received through the gallery so a frame was needed. Diane sent the commissioned painting separately since making the frame required time, it was shipped last week....

Two Frames: #270 & #271 Things have been somewhat disorganized in the shop lately! I needed to replicate a previous frame ( #256) to send to Diane’s gallery in Carmel to replace a painting sold there, somewhat confus…

Due to some technological mishaps my blog has been "incognito" for the last 3-4 weeks! I didn't realize it until a couple of my followers told me about it. The problem was with my domain registry but happy to say it's been resolved -- I do have a love/hate relationship with technology for sure! What you may have missed is the latest project which was my Danish inspired love seat, here's the link for the first blog about it: …...

Have you missed me? I’m Back! Due to some technological mishaps my blog has been “incognito” for the last 3-4 weeks! I didn’t realize it until a couple of my followers told me about it. The problem was with my…

Here we have the results of my latest challenge; the loveseat is in the room! It's been over a month of work to meet this challenge but well worth it. The entrance to this room is such that it wasn't possible to get a piece of furniture like this into it. This piece is about 50" long and a total of 34" tall and 30" deep....

Danish Loveseat Finished Here we have the results of my latest challenge; the loveseat is in the room! It’s been over a month of work to meet this challenge but well worth it. The entrance to this room is such that i…

Backrest and Seat In my last post the parts and pieces were completed for the seat frame and the backrest. Since that time the slats were finished (Osmo 3043 using Mirlon abrasive pads). The top and bottom rails were finished as well but their tenons were taped off. The final step was to form the sides of the backrest with spokeshaves then glue the entire piece together and finish it completely....

Danish Loveseat: Part 3 Backrest and Seat In my last post the parts and pieces were completed for the seat frame and the backrest. Since that time the slats were finished (Osmo 3043 using Mirlon abrasive pads). The top an…