There is nothing in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and
sell a little cheaper, and he who considers only price is that mans
lawful prey
---John Ruskin
The Craftsman Magazine Corner
Most of you reading this are
already familiar with the Arts & Crafts style, Gustav Stickley, and
his magazine The Craftsman. Stickley published The Craftsman
Magazine on a monthly basis between October 1901 and November1916.
Taken collectively, the magazine defined a framework for an honest
and simple lifestyle that valued straightforward artisanship and
eschewed undue ornamentation.
Home Training in Cabinet Work:
New Series of Practical Talks on Structural Wood Working
So, as a budding woodworker around the turn of the last
century, how great would it have been to apprentice at home under
'The Craftsman' himself -
Gustav Stickley? As editor of The
Craftsman Magazine, as well as founder of the Stickley
Furniture Company, Mr. Stickley published a series of articles, beginning in the February 1905 issue,
aimed at bringing along the budding cabinetmaker. In
addition to dispensing advice on what makes up a solid kit of
tools, wood selection, and finishing, he also provides plans and
material lists to take you from a rank beginner to a good
solid craftsman. Be advised that the plans are are short
on instructions, but an intermediate woodworker should be able
to figure out the joints and how they should be fitted.
First Article in the Series - February 1905
As expected, Mr. Stickley starts out
with simple, small scale projects designed build confidence and
instill good work habits. But, surprisingly, he moves
quickly to building a child's chair, albeit a simplified one
without compound angles or splayed legs. His selection of
projects would be great for a woodworking parent to work on with
a budding young woodworker.
• Bird House
• Childs Arm Chair
• Dog House
• Medicine Cabinet
• Childs Chair
• Wall Cabinet
Second Article in the Series - March 1905
Mr. Stickley take us in to the
public areas of the house in this lesson. He offers up a
variety of small tables or plant stands -- tabourets (ta-bu-ray) as he
refers to them. He then moves up to an occasional
table and and on to a couple of full sized tables, including one
with a rule-joint. These projects are reaching difficulty
level of the average woodworker today equipped with power tools.
Round Tabouret
Round Table
Square Tabouret
Library Table
Octagonal Tabouret
Drop Leaf Table
Third Article in the Series - April 1905
Mr. Stickley take a turn in to various
forms of furniture in this article. From a simple foot
stool and a bedroom screen, to a unique upright desk and a
fairly complex garden bench.
Foot Rest
• Childs Arm Chair
Fold Down Desk
Screen
Desk Chair
Shirt-Waist Box
Garden Bench
Fourth
Article in the Series - May 1905
In this round, Mr. Stickley shows us
some classic Arts & Crafts cabinet work as well as a library
table and clock that will warm the heart of any Mission Style
furniture fancier. The pieces offered this time around
are:
Magazine Cabinet
Hall Clock
Library Table
Brides Chest
Fifth Article in the Series - June 1905
In this article titled:
The Texture and
Qualities of Natural Woods, Their Individuality and Friendliness,
Mr. Stickley discusses the various species of wood and their
suitability for various tasks. He also discusses flat sawn
versus quartersawn, as well as finishes and chemical fuming.
Sixth Article in the Series - July 1905
In this installment,
Mr. Stickley ups the difficulty level with some lathe turned
pieces, a bit of curved work, and a leather upholstered chair. He
also asks his readers if they would like to see this type of
article continued in the magazine. - our answer 100 years
hence would be a resounding YES! The pieces
offered this time around are:
Secretaire
• Arm Chair
Dining Table
Writing Desk
Seventh
Article in the Series - August 1905 This time, after some
discussion regarding finishing techniques, Mr. Stickley features
a very handsome bookcase complete with drawers and cabinet doors
with diamond grilles. All the pieces in the article are:
Bookcase w/Drawers
Bedstead
Childs High Chair
Revolving Bookrack
Eighth
Article in the Series - September 1905 Mr. Stickley measures up a great A&C
style porch swing and an arch style hanging bookcase that would
be at home in a boys room or a family room. N.B. This
reprint comes complete with a 100-year-old transposition in the
"mill bills of lumber" between the swing seat and the hanging
shelf, but I believe the you can figure it out. The three plans
offered are:
Porch Swing Seat
Wall Cabinet
Hanging Arched Bookshelf
Ninth Article in the Series - October 1905 Some really classic Arts & Crafts
pieces are offered up this month. You've probably seen
images of the clocks in this article. The two fireplace
mantels are designed in a very honest and straightforward style.
Five plans
are offered:
Fireplace Mantel "A"
Fireplace Mantel "B"
Hallway Clock
Mantel
Clock
Wall Clock
Tenth
Article in the Series - January 1906
In this installment, Mr. Stickley provides
plans for one of his most famous pieces, the Morris Chair, along
with a nice library table style writing desk.
NEW Twelfth
Article in the Series - March 1906
This month we open the magazine to find a
very nice five-drawer sideboard with two cabinets secured with
frame and panel doors, along with a high-backed leather settle,
and a simple wall mounted plate rack.
Sideboard
High Back Settle
Plate Rack
NEW Thirteenth
Article in the Series - April 1906
These next two plans are the most involved
as yet. A corner china cabinet with 45 degree angled back
and handmade mullions. The serving table is much more
modest, but very handsome.
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