DAWN is a symbol of renewal.
It marks an evolution from the first six pieces of my collection, "Handmade back into cabinetmaking," emphasizing even more deeply the purely handmade nature of the work, from start to finish, and a deeper connection with wood.
Two living entities, the wood with its presence and the human with his skills applied through simple hand tools and purely manual techniques, engage in a dialogue to create something unique that machines and power tools cannot achieve.
To me, machines and power tools are merely a way to reduce fatigue and standardize skills, in line with today's "everything right away" mindset.
DAWN is a one-of-a-kind cabinet with live edges, a drawer, and a sliding door.
I crafted it using only hand tools, with no machines or handheld power tools. I dimensioned and prepared rough boards of pear and cherry using hand saws and hand planes.
Then, I cut joinery, such as mortise and tenon joints, dadoes, grooves, and houndstooth dovetails, using chisels, hand saws, hand braces, and a mallet.
Finally, I applied pure beeswax for a completely organic finish.
The two sides are asymmetrical: one side is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, while the other is narrower at the bottom and wider at the top to pique curiosity.
The live edges add an artistic feel, while the sliding door and drawer provide functionality.
Everything, from stock preparation to the final finish, had to be done with manual techniques to truly be called "handmade."
I invite you to watch the three-minute Instagram reel at the link below, which shows the process from start to finish.
It is a long reel, but handwork requires a different pace and skill set than machine work.
I am sure those who appreciate the craft will enjoy seeing it through to the end.
Featured in issue 331 of Furniture and Cabinetmaking Magazine with an extensive 12-page article.
A copy of the article will be sent to the collector who buys the piece for collectability.
