John T Barker
12-03-2011, 12:36 AM
I wanted to say hello and introduce myself. The name is obvious and I live in Wayne, Pennsylvania...just a few miles from Valley Forge national Park. I came to Pa. over 20 years ago to work at a pretty good woodworking shop that does 18th century reproductions. The name of the outfit is Irion Company; a few years ago they were written up in Fine Woodworking. I learned a lot there, a great experience.
Currently I work in a retail store that sells unfinished furniture. I hate it but the high end furniture business is tough and keeping a job or surviving on your own is tougher. I still hope to find an out but at 54 the odds are not good. I keep a shop near my apartment on one of the estates Washington stayed at before setting up a permanent HQ closer to VF. My shop is in an 18th century barn and pretty well equipped but I don't get there often these days. My five year old princess wants me to spend time with her. When I do get to my shop I make furniture and the occasional craft piece. last year I tooka piece of morrel burl and carved a bowl out of it as a wedding present. I had no idea what I was doing but everyone that sees it loves it...including bride and groom.
My wish list of future woodworking is more furniture, flintlock rifles and pistols, Native American weapons, chess sets, hand tools and maybe a remote control airplane (that's the short list.) I came to SMC after years of having it in the back of my mind but never having looked at it. I like the categories in this forum and what I've read so far intrigues me. A look in my profile will tell you that my hobbies aside from wood are cooking, chess, guns and military history (WWII.) I am from NJ where I was born, raised and educated (Rutgers University.)
Thanks,
John
Currently I work in a retail store that sells unfinished furniture. I hate it but the high end furniture business is tough and keeping a job or surviving on your own is tougher. I still hope to find an out but at 54 the odds are not good. I keep a shop near my apartment on one of the estates Washington stayed at before setting up a permanent HQ closer to VF. My shop is in an 18th century barn and pretty well equipped but I don't get there often these days. My five year old princess wants me to spend time with her. When I do get to my shop I make furniture and the occasional craft piece. last year I tooka piece of morrel burl and carved a bowl out of it as a wedding present. I had no idea what I was doing but everyone that sees it loves it...including bride and groom.
My wish list of future woodworking is more furniture, flintlock rifles and pistols, Native American weapons, chess sets, hand tools and maybe a remote control airplane (that's the short list.) I came to SMC after years of having it in the back of my mind but never having looked at it. I like the categories in this forum and what I've read so far intrigues me. A look in my profile will tell you that my hobbies aside from wood are cooking, chess, guns and military history (WWII.) I am from NJ where I was born, raised and educated (Rutgers University.)
Thanks,
John