Free form Furniture on DIY channel

[Ken Garlock]

I was wondering if anyone had seen the new program on the DIY channel called Free form Furniture?:confused:

The hostess is Amy Devers who has earned a Masters Of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. She appears to have some hands-on real life experience in that she was once a machine shop foreman. And, she is easy on the eye.;)

Her projects are well made, and could be duplicated by anyone with a complete woodworking shop :eek: The shop she uses on TV is fully equipped with Delta cabinet saw, jointer, planer, drill press, etc. The cordless tools are all Festool.

No she is not quite up the caliber of David Marks, but I think she could give out old friend Norm some competition.

Any thoughts, or am I just being lead astray by another pretty face.:rolleyes:

There is a rerun of this weeks show on DIY at 9:30 PM eastern.

[Ted Calver]

Ken,
I caught the first show and liked it enough to TIVO the series. I like Amy's presentation style and obvious competance with the equipment. Some of the projects have been a little funky and so far, thats been my only criticism. If she expands her project choices to include some David Marks type projects, I think the shows got staying power.
Ted

[Dan Oliphant]

Ken,
I think that attractive young lady may be bluring your objectiveness.:rolleyes: The complexity of her projects is no were near his Normness. So far I'm thinking that equipment if for show only, haven't seen any stationary tools, other than the bandsaw in use het, have you?

[Lee DeRaud]

Some of the projects have been a little funky and so far, thats been my only criticism.Yeah, especially those round outdoor stool/table things...I think "overdesigned" was the word I used, and it wasn't intended as a compliment. Not to mention this stuff she's doing isn't exactly cheap to duplicate, either in labor or materials: wenge veneer, Corian tabletops, etc. The two "wood" projects I've seen weren't too bad though.
So far I'm thinking that equipment if for show only, haven't seen any stationary tools, other than the bandsaw in use het, have you?She used the table saw for the CD rack project and to cut the plywood tubes to length. There was also a metal-cutting bandsaw, sander, and drillpress when she made the metal shelf brackets from scratch. But they're not using a lot of air-time to show her feeding wood through machines: more of the design and assembly aspects.

[Ken Garlock]

Ken,
I think that attractive young lady may be bluring your objectiveness.:rolleyes: The complexity of her projects is no were near his Normness. So far I'm thinking that equipment if for show only, haven't seen any stationary tools, other than the bandsaw in use het, have you?

Dan, you could be totally correct.;) I was just making a guess on her competence based upon her ease of tool use. I also agree that her projects have not been something I would do, but I do like her use of multiple mediums - wood, metal, plastic, even leather.

On this weeks show she uses the cabinet saw, jointer, planer, and biscuit plate joiner.

[Mark Singer]

I watched a couple of shows....she goes a little lite on the details..She seems to skip common pitfalls that would occur using the methods she follows. I still think David Marks is the best and after seeing his lecture and the broader spectrum of his work...I think he is really at a different level....and it comes through in his shows...he uses a practicle approach without compromises

[Dan Oliphant]

Mark,
I agree with you about David Marks being at a totally different level. His work and Norms are also quite different. They are both educational in content, although David pushes the design envelope much more than anything Norm has shown.

[Ken Garlock]

Mark, I couldn't agree more with your assessment. On a scale of 0-10, I would give David an 11.:) Norm would get a 6 or 7. Amy I would give a 5 until I see additional shows. I just have a feeling that there is more talent there than comes through in a quick 30 minute show with 6 to 8 minutes of commericals. Then there is Bruce Johnson that is still trying to find the score card. :rolleyes:

[Curt Harms]

I agree with the above sentiments. Norm does projects I could probably do. David Marks does projects I wish I could do. So far, Amy does projects I'd have to think about. Of the few shows I've seen, the CD rack was nice, the round tables were OK but not to my taste. FFF is a work in progress.

[Dev Emch]

I have seen the program a couple of times but dont remember what I was watching. I think i was more focused on her figure than the figure of the work she was doing. Also, my eyes glaze over when I see massive use of biscuit joiners and dowel pins. I am a mortise and tenon kind of guy. DIY seems to focus most of its work on the quick, simple and dirty. David Marks seems to focus more on the semi advanced.

[Monte Milanuk]

Ken,

Interesting; I'll have to get a link to the bio for my daughter. We happened to catch part of one of the 'Entry Table' shows last week; Jenn (my daughter) kept asking if we thought that was 'who she really was', i.e. did we think it was all fake and someone did all the work for her. Jenn's at that age (freshman in high school) and in that 'group' in sports and social activities where pretty girls just don't do dirty work... it's ok for them to get all worked up in sports, just not doing something that constitutes manual labor :confused: Trust me, we've gone 'round and 'round on this one... it'll be interesting to see her reaction to the bio listing for Amy...

Monte

[John Shuk]

I like the show because it encourages thinking outside the box. At least for me. Also she's not bad looking. I have to say that I think the hall table project would break in 2 days in my house. No splines on those miters and nothing to keep it from racking.

[Mark Singer]

I think all the shows are great and responsible for much of the interest in woodworking. It is true that David Marks offers challenging projects....I think that is a good thing. After a while all projects can be thought of as a series of familiar processes....design, stock preperation, sizing, joinery, surface prep, shaping, sanding , finishing.... The advanced projects , if explained in simple terms , give even the beginining woodworker a bit of confidence that it is possible....just more of what he already has been doing and a few new things added to it...

My last physical exam revealed a little high blood pressure my doctor prescribed a drug and instructed me to do my normal cardio at the gym, but he added, "Challenge Yourself"....work harder and push yourself...so I go to the gym and my trainer says..."A couple of times during the workout...Challenge yourself....bring your heart rate up"

I am always amazed at the work I see here on SMC....people doing incredible things....first chairs that are beautiful and comfortable....wonderful bowls, vessels,.....casework and tables of very high quality and....yes advanced projects....I think the interplay of seeing other members work inspires woodworkers at every level to challenge themselves. and yes....I like to see creative design....even more than the kind of saw used to make it ;)

For many years I was selected to do senior year critiques for students in the masters program at several of the architectural schools I always tried to be supportive and really looked for those that.....yes , took that big step and challenged themselves....

Design is a great first place to start the challenge and it will make a big difference in the finished product

[Jay Knoll]

I'm with Mark!

Even though I have only seen two of the "free form" shows I learned something on both of them. I especially liked the leather tray in the last show.

I really learn stuff when I watch David Marks!

Norm is great but I just don't like the stuff he makes so it gets boring watching the techniques.

Jay

[Ellen Benkin]

I've watched one show (the hall table) and I'll have to catch more. I like the fact that she does something out of the ordinary, but not too difficult to accomplish for most woodworkers. The idea of a hall table with a leather tray for keys and other "coming and going" items is great. Would I use dowel construction? Maybe not. Would I laminate two boards for the bottom shelf? Maybe not. But the design was good and the product was useful -- I could see it in my house.

I enjoy David Marks but I rarely even consider trying to build one of his projects. I also enjoy Norm, but I don't have his range of tools and many of his projects are just too big. But the hall table -- I might try something like that.

I think any show that encourages interest in woodworking and shows good techniques used safely is worth having on the air.

[Jim Fancher]

I Tivo David's shows religiously. Even my wife enjoys watching his shows. I think for most people on SMC, his shows are right up our alley. I grew up watching Norm, but I have yet to see any of his NYW shows. I need to let Tivo find them for me. :)

Amy's show has it's own niche too. It's very "DIY Networkish". She's not the typical DIY hostess though. She seems to really know what she's doing. Nothing beats a cute girl that knows how to use nice tools. I liked the design of the CD racks too.

DIY Woodworking is another "DIY Networkish" show. No where near the level of David, but I like one or two episodes.

We're lucky to have so many woodworking shows - good or bad. Remember when it was just This Old House on PBS?

[Jon Olson]

Amy is part of one of the other WW forums and I emailed her about the t - the hall entry table project. DIY dictates the complexity of the shows and I'm sure the sponsors control a lot of that also. She seems to have skill, though its tough to compare someones skills as a teacher on TV (Scrip writters) to their real skills as a craftperson. She likes different mediums, which a lot of other WWers don't even attempt to add to their designs. You can take any project on TV and adapt different designs or better jointery techniques. A lot of David Marks' first shows used less complex methods and a lot of bisques. She's got the skills or she would not have a show.

Jon

[Vaughn McMillan]

After seeing FFF mentioned in this thread, I had TiVo catch an episode for me (the hall table) and liked what I saw -- both the project and the presenter. I"ll be watching more of this series, methinks.

- Vaughn

[Lee DeRaud]

Amy is part of one of the other WW forums and I emailed her about the t - the hall entry table project. DIY dictates the complexity of the shows and I'm sure the sponsors control a lot of that also. She seems to have skill, though its tough to compare someones skills as a teacher on TV (Scrip writters) to their real skills as a craftperson. She likes different mediums, which a lot of other WWers don't even attempt to add to their designs. You can take any project on TV and adapt different designs or better jointery techniques. A lot of David Marks' first shows used less complex methods and a lot of bisques. She's got the skills or she would not have a show.For that matter, Marks' stuff is toned down some for the show. To give you an idea of what he's really capable of, check out his sculptures: http://www.djmarks.com/sculptures.asp

[Andy Hoyt]

After seeing FFF mentioned in this thread, I had TiVo catch an episode for me (the hall table) and liked what I saw -- both the project and the presenter. I"ll be watching more of this series, methinks.

- Vaughn

Vaughn - A new "do" to hide that combover! Most impressive.

[Chris Livingston]

I saw this show for the first time today and liked it. I told my wife I found a replacement for her :) With the shop space Amy has I could really go wild.... and take my 12" cabinet saw off it's mobile base and not have to use the mobility kit on my MM FS41 jointer/planer. I might not even have to put the outfeed rollers down on my cabinet saw ever again!

I did like the fact that it was not the dumbed down woodworking show some of the other DIY shows are (obviously excluding David Marks).

[Bob Winkler]

I also like it because Amy designs and builds things that I wouldn't usually consider. Like many here, I think creative thinking and techniques are always good to see, regardless of the final form. Plus, I have to admit I like Amy's genuiness and enthusiasm.

Bob

[Fred Voorhees]

Then there is Bruce Johnson that is still trying to find the score card. :rolleyes:
Thanks for the great chuckle Ken. And you are so right on with that assessment!!

[David Fried]

I don't have a television so I will never see the show but after reading this I did check out her web site, www.amydevers.com . I did like her table, "Tribute to My Mother In Her Cat Glasses". I think I need to start naming my projects more creatively!

Mark: Her studio is in LA - drop in!!


Dave Fried

[Christopher Pine]

I have seen the show several times.. She made a mantel shelf that had small drawers on the ends.. I thought was interesting.. I did not care for her tile and corian outdoor furniture... Honestly i just thought they were ugly. :0 One mans opinion...

[Lee DeRaud]

I did not care for her tile and corian outdoor furniture... Honestly i just thought they were ugly.Well, they may have been ugly, but they were also (very) expensive. At least the ugly patio furniture from Wally World is cheap.:p

[Mark Carlson]

I tivo her show and watch if her project is woodworking related. Her show seems to be more design orientated and she uses a lot of different materials in her projects. I like her show and hope it makes it and convinces more women to get into woodworking.

~mark

[Keith Christopher]

I've watched it, the fact she designs the pieces to fit is really the crux of her show. She explains why she chose the design she did. Remember she's building this for someone else so her designs will use alot of differing materials. The only part I don't like is "Over in the welding section...", I don't have a welding section in my shop, guess I'll have to get one or keep hiring out for metal work. :P But in all seriousness and jealousy aside, she is no David Marks, but then again David Marks, is no Krenov. I enjoy the show, keeps me remembering that no matter how it's put together biscut of M&T it needs to make the customer happy.

[Tom Donalek]

I was probably in architecture school around the same time that Amy was at RISD. So the kind of 'multi-media furniture design' stuff that Amy does is pretty familiar. I was lucky enough to get into a studio class where we each designed and built a piece of furniture, which was really fun and interesting, and then had to design a building around it, which was surprisingly hard! (One of my fellow students built a truly amazing 'flexible spine' chair that he should have patented - but that's a whole other tanget.) Acutally, compared to what RISD (and other university's) students and faculty often do, the designs on her show are pretty 'conventional'.

Her show isn't a woodworking show - it's a 'furniture design/build' show. My single biggest criticism is that she doesn't have the time to actually explain the how and why of what she's doing the way that David Marks does. It's great exposure to a lot of varied techniques like welding and plastics, but it's weak on the nitty-gritty (and the DIY website isn't that great either...)

(While I'm on tangets, am I the only person who falls asleap during David Marks' show? It isn't boring at all, it's just something about his voice and maybe the humming tools....)

I do roll my eyes each time they run the "MFA - furniture design" title. To me a degree is a pretty weak qualification - it's the interesting work that she produces that qualifies her. One thing I've noticed is that she often moves like she's working in a production shop - when she runs things over the TS, it's fast and decisive - like she's got 30 of whatever it is to make.

But the rack of Festools in the back of her shop makes me drool. (Sure, rub it in Amy - have two $300 drills laying in the same camera shot!) David Marks has an increasing collection of Festools, and some of the This Old House guys do too. Hmmm... maybe I should start up a TV show...

(Oh, yeah, she is rather cute on top of everything else)

[Scott Larson]

The first time I watched the show I paused the TiVO so I could check out the eye-candy. Then I invited my wife in and she agreed, that's a nice rack...

Of course we were both looking at the 3 carts of Festool systainers during the opening camera swing :)

My Festool's are my wife's favorite tools. She likes the way they stack...

-Scott