Doug Rowell traded making music for making musical instruments

When Doug Rowell isn’t strumming a guitar, he’s whittling one. In Woodcarving Illustrated Summer 2012 (Issue 59) Doug showed some of the more than 100 solid-body, customized electric guitars that he has carved for popular collectors and musicians, including Russ Giguerre of The Association, Mike Botts and James Griffin of Bread, and the top Hollywood studio guitarists Mike Deasy and James Burton. He even carved a banjo for the comedian and film star Steve Martin.

“Every instrument I make is functional and playable,” Doug said. “Many of these guitars are for collectors who are more likely to hang them than play them. But it’s my intention to make the best guitar I can. I think it should be able to survive the roughest roadie and even the occasional bar fight.”

    

Cidermaking is part of a rich tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Now you can make yourself a part of this tradition by becoming an at-home cider maker. Real Cidermaking on a Small Scale will teach you everything you need to know about the process of making hard cider from any kind of apple.

Inside, you will learn how to build your own cider press, how to ferment the cider, and how to store it for enjoyment year-round. You will also discover delicious recipes, tips for preserving apple juice that you don’t want to ferment, and instructions for making perry, or pear cider.

Whether you plan on using apples from the tree in your backyard or from the local supermarket, you are sure to be satisfied with the results. Don’t miss your chance to become a cidermaking expert and enjoy the rewards of your labor all year long.

Good things do come in small packages.

Just ask internationally recognized small living expert Jay Shafer. His small buildings have appeared on CNN, Oprah, Fine Homebuilding, and This Old House.

Ranging in size from 64 to 110 square feet, these tiny backyard buildings can be used as guest cottages, art or writing studios, home offices, craft workshops, vacation retreats, or a full-time residence.

Filled with photos, elevation drawings, and door/window schedules for six Tumbleweed box bungalows, The Tumbleweed DIY Book of Backyard Sheds and Tiny Houses, also includes an extensive how-to set of instructions that can be applied to any backyard building project.

Though conventionally built, these handsome little buildings have real doors, windows, and skylights with interesting and practical details throughout.  With extra attention  given to energy and space efficiency in their design, these tiny houses can help deliver the relief we all need on the road toward a sustainable world.

The term “Box Bungalow” is a trademark of Tumbleweed Tiny House Corp. It refers to their idea of packaging these backyard buildings on a flat skid, for weekend DIY assembly. They’ll also sell a prefab building for delivery to your prepared site. They’ll also sell complete sets of plans for any of the houses shown in this book.

For more information, please click on the Maker Faire banner.  We hope to see you there!

Cigar box guitars have never been more popular and now you can learn to make your own. You don’t need to spend a lot of money and you don’t need to have a shop full of tools. All you need to do is follow the author’s step-by-step instructions for making three different styles of guitar. They’re fun (some would say addictive) to build and even more fun to play!

The guitars that can be made with this book:

• Basic CBG: A simple build with the minimum number of components. It’s a three string acoustic instrument built from a paper covered box and played with a slide and has burned-in fret lines, but no real frets.
• Slightly Nicer CBG. Uses a nicer cigar box, has a more decorative, built-up headstock. Also has burned in fret-lines and three strings. In addition, this one incorporates a very simple piezo pickup so it can be played through an amplifier. Slightly more complex in woodworking terms and involves a bit of wiring and soldering.
• Cigar Box Telecaster. This one would be built from a cigar box and a pre-fabbed six-string guitar neck. It would use commercial pickups and volume/tone controls. I’m picturing it as a tribute to the Fender Telecaster. It involves more complicated woodworking and much more wiring/soldering, as well as filling much of the box with wood to support the tension of six steel strings.

More than just a how-to guide, this book chronicles the modern revival of the cigar box guitar. You’ll learn a bit about its roots, influential personalities and the cultural trends that are bringing this instrument back to the musical landscape. Author and professional photographer, David Sutton introduces readers the faces of the CGB movement with in-depth profiles and photographic portraits of fascinating builders and performers.

Basic information about learning to play and tune a cigar box guitar are also included.

A perfect opportunity to put a real American tradition in your own hands.

…as seen in the Publisher’s Weekly e-newsletter.

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Hand-making musical instruments is part of a growing trend that even celebrities such as Jonny Depp and guitar legend Jack White are taking part in. It doesn’t require a lot of money or an expertise in woodworking and electronics, all it takes is a little creativity.

In Handmade Music Factory, handyman Mike Orr guides you through the construction of eight of the most unique and imaginative instruments found anywhere  -  from a one-string guitar made from a soup can, to a hubcap banjo, and a stand-up lap steel guitar made from a vintage ironing board.

There are also directions for an amp that can be assembled using inexpensive parts from the local electronics store. There’s no shortage of inspiration to draw upon in creating an arsenal of instruments that look good, sound great, and deliver some foot stompin’ fun!

Page Count: 160
Size: 11×8.5
Type: Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-56523-559-5
Expected Release / Availability: 10/1/11
Direct link to this page: www.handmademusicfactory.com

www.handmademusicfactory.com

A smooth piece of wood, some sharp carving tools and the 37 tried-and-true relief woodcarving projects and patterns from the archives of Woodcarving Illustrated, are all that is needed for this popular form of artistic expression. By following the step-by-step instructions, woodcarvers can create everything from trivets and clocks, to signs and mantels in wood, or adapt some of the many patterns to create their own projects.

Relief Woodcarving Projects & Techniques also features a stunning gallery of work. Readers will gain expert information, insight, and inspiration from today’s top relief carvers, including Lora S. Irish, Kathy Wise, Jim Dupont, Cyndi Joslyn, Frederick Wilbur, Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach, Floyd Truitt, and Bob Duncan. Join them as they create an assortment of compelling carvings, in a variety of skill levels, for the home and beyond.

Page Count: 144
Size: 11×8.5×0.5
Type: Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-56523-558-8

The Fantastic Book of  Canes, Pipes, & Walking Sticks is the remarkable work of (the late) Harry Ameredes, notable artist, woodcarver and sculptor. Spanning 35 years of work, these fabulous pen and ink sketches showcase Ameredes’ styles ranging from fighting canes in a medieval style to one of a kind walking sticks crafted from tree roots and driftwood.

Page Count: 136
Size: 11×8.5×0.5
Type: Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-56523-515-1

Each book in the new Back to Basics Series is designed and written to teach woodworkers core information they need to succeed in a clear and plain-spoken manner. Like the series’ slogan says, “Your world is complicated enough – your woodworking information shouldn’t be.”

Cabinet Construction is the newest title in this popular series. It takes the confusion and complication out of learning to build furniture. It introduces the reader to basic carcase construction, and teaches woodworkers to design boxes, as well as frame-and-panel construction. Next the new woodworker gets all the basics on building doors, drawers and legs. Other basics perfect for the beginner is choosing the right lumber, joining boards, planing stock, ripping a work piece, and sanding.

Written with a straight-forward approach, Cabinet Construction includes color photos and highly detailed illustrations & diagrams that help readers visualize each technique. It’s perfect for the beginner who doesn’t want to get bogged down with too much information, and the experienced craftsman who needs a handy reference tool by his/her side.

Page Count: 144
Size: 9×7.5×0.5
Type: Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-56523-529-8