Demilune Entry Table Figured Imbuya, Figured Maple (31" h, 42" w, 14" d)
Bombé Chest Figured Bubinga, Ebony (32" h, 42" w, 22" d)
it. Over the years, I’ve stashed away quite a collection. I love working with hand tools. From joinery to fine details to flowing curved surfaces. Hand tool work puts me in a place where I am completely focused and involved in the moment. The time flies by. I do a lot of work with spokeshaves, chisels, gouges, and rasps. There are many days that not a machine is turned on. As my skills with hand tools have grown, they have opened up exciting design directions that I would not otherwise have pursued. When I bought my 5-acres in Maple Valley, WA, I converted the barn into my woodshop. In 1991, I had a
Breakfront Showcase Figured Ceylon Satinwood, Ebony, brass (74" h, 42" w, 17" d)
fire and lost that building, my tools, and a big project that was just ready to deliver. It was a fairly traumatic thing to go through, but it gave me the opportunity to construct a building that was specifically-designed to be an efficient woodworking shop, which turned out to be a real blessing. I feel very spoiled. In the future, I look forward to finding more time to undertake speculative work. I want to explore creating more organic forms, and I’m exited about pursuing projects that are purely sculptural. You can see more of my work and details at my website: www. kenrichardsfurniture.com.
Collectors Stand Cocobolo, Holly, Ebony, sterling silver (92" h, 52" w, 46" d) July-August, 2013 Woodworker West Page 55