New Cabinet Hardware
I just finished up a custom set of cabinet hardware for a client. All wood – the knobs are cherry with square walnut inlays and the pulls have walnut posts with cherry handles.
Archive for year: 2012
The Three Little Pigs and The Wolf
Continuing on the story-book theme. We’ve revised the Three Little Pigs story. I was able to use some of my architecture knowledge (you know, those two college degrees, professional licensures, and a decade of experience that is little used day to day in the shop. eek – but they still make me pay back the loans.)
Once upon a time there was a Sow with three little Pigs. Anxious to make their way in the world, they struck out to seek their fortune. For leagues they walked together until their path split into three. Unable to agree on which branch to take, the three pigs shook hands and parted ways.
The first pig met a man with a bundle of straw. “A ha!,” said the pig. The pig was familiar natural construction techniques, but certainly no expert [ominous foreshadowing].
The pig said to the man, “Please sir, may I have some of that straw to build a house.” After some haggling, bartering, and animated debate the two settled on a fair price and with great piles of straw, the pig set about to build his house.
As house construction goes, the little pig’s hut went up quickly and he set about tidying the interior and planning his next act of independence.
Presently came along a Wolf, and knocked at the door, and said, “Little Pig, little Pig, let me come in.”
To which the Pig answered, “What seems to be the issue?”
“Your house won’t serve you well in a storm. Straw holds up terribly to high winds. A storm will huff and puff and blow your house down!”
“But straw is a natural material, economical to purchase, and fun to build with.”
“You should consider rebuilding your house – mix the straw with mud for a much sturdier home.”
“Phaw! Build another house wolf? For I’ve just built the house you see before you. Good day to you!”
Shrugging his shoulders, the wolf departed. The pig set about preparing carrot stew for dinner.
And sure enough the next evening, along came a tremendous storm. The winds huffed, and puffed, and then blew the straw clean away, leaving the little pig out in the open, cold, and soaking wet.
The following morning, miserable and without a possession, the little pig left to find his brother. Dejected, the young pig walked for miles until he found his older brother where the tale of the straw house was told.
“Don’t worry little brother. I helped a man clear his field of fallen trees. Trees felled by that very storm that brought down your house. As compensation the man let me cart away all the wood I would need to build a house. With your help we can build a home in double time that no storm can knock down.”
So the two pigs worked at their saws and hammers, stopping only to eat a bit and sleep at night, and built a solid cabin. So hungry were they that in the middle of the cabin they built a great fire from wood scraps on which they would cook a feast. (those two were quite hungry following their hard labors)
Then along came the Wolf and said, “Little Pigs, little Pigs, let me come in.”
“No, no, by the hair of our chinny chin chin for we are terribly hungry wolf.”
“That is precisely the problem. Your fire is too large and should be on a hearth next to a stone chimney.”
“Oh wolf, we are too tired and too hungry for that. We will build a chimney tomorrow.”
“This is foolish Pigs, your fire is large. It will huff and puff and burn your house down.”
“We are too hungry Wolf! Please bother another!”
Oh boy. [second verse, similar to the first]
Certain enough, the Wolf was right. The fire was too big. It did huff, then puff, and finally it burned the two Pigs house down. Luckily the two brothers were able to scamper free of the blaze and save themselves. With all their tools burned in the fire, the two Pigs went off to find their oldest brother.
For an hour and a day the two pigs walked until they found their brother. To their great relief the third pig was building a house of brick. The youngest brothers told their stories and immediately their oldest brother produced a pencil and paper. “We must carefully think about the construction of this house.” And working together the three brothers made a number of changes.
A week later when the house was complete the Wolf came by. “Little pigs, little pigs let me in.”
To their older brother, “Oh by the hair of our chinny chin chins. This is the chap we were telling you about.” Then to the wolf, “Certainly wolf, come in.” The door was opened and the Wolf came in.
“Pigs, this is a fine house. Bricks. Heavy shutters over the windows. A proper chimney and clean flue. I believe this will do. I’d say anything could huff and puff, but never would this house be taken down.”
“We’re glad you approve wolf, for we worked hard together to build a solid home. Would you care to stay for dinner? We’ve made turnip soup, sweet potato hash, and baked apples.”
The four ate up their supper and lived happy ever after.
Toy Safety
The Bungalow was quoted in an article about toy safety along with a nice picture of our very own Rocket Rob. Read more about toy safety on the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s website.
Little Red and the Wolf
I’ve been developing a story-book character set of people and animals. Red Riding Hood is needlessly violent and mean. I’ve reworked it with help from public domain images and text. Sort of like that Pride and Prejudice and Vampires. Except with no vampires and not a hint of Mr. Darcy.
In a little thatched cottage, by the side of a wood, Lived an young lass, Little Red Riding Hood.
You would scarce find her equal, the neighbors all tell; so kind and smart, so cheerful and well. The rippling brook, their water from far off mountains brought; and prattled of their summits in icy statues wrought.
For them, the squirrels hoarded their nuts in hollow trees; and pounds of sweetest honey were made them by the bees. To gather these together was work enough to do; Little Red Riding Hood thought so, and so, no doubt, would you.
Blushing beneath her fingers looked up the berries red; The flowers seemed to know her and listened for her tread. Smart, loving, and beautiful as good, with daily acts of kindness, Little Red Riding Hood.
One day this young lass, to her Grandma was sent, a nice pot of butter, for her to present. Along with a cheesecake, and a new loaf of bread, for Grandma was ill and confined to her bed.
Fatigued of rhyming, off our dear Red departed. The sky was clear and the weather fair as our maiden passed peaceful pastures where gentle cows grazed away the day. Red stopped to pick flowers to cheer her grandma. Bunnies hopped along, their noses twitching as they sniffed the flowers. With a choice clutch of primrose and marigolds Red skipped down the path.
Her path led through an ancient forest, its canopy thick. So thick that the bright sun light was dim in the forest. Our Red was nervous yes, but she was also a brave young girl and marched on. For she knew her grandmother was ill and depended upon our Red.
Ahead Little Red saw a figure, but in the dim light could not make be certain who it was. “Grandma? Grandma is that you?” The figure stepped closer and Red saw its big eyes. “Grandma?”
“No dear. I’m not your grandma, I’m a wolf.”
“Oh yes.” Red stopped walking. “I should have known by your big eyes.”
“Yes, I do have big eyes, to better see my children with.” The wolf looked nervously behind her.
“My grandma could use big eyes to see me better. She doesn’t see so well anymore.”
“That is ashame. I’m sorry, but I must be off now. Do look after yourself in these woods, it is not a safe place for young people.”
And in a flash the wolf was gone and Little Red was again alone in the forest. She was a little scared, but continued on. She walked for a time, all the while the forest grew darker, and then another figure appeared. Hesitantly Little Red called out, “Hello, who’s there?” Then wishfully added. “Grandma?”
“No,” called the figure, “it is I, the wolf again.”
“Oh yes of course.” Little Red stopped. “Your ears are much too big.”
“Yes to better hear my children with. I can hear them playing far away. They’re playing quite a distance from us, but my sharp ears can hear them.”
“Oh.” Quietly. “My grandma has much trouble hearing me.”
“Dear, are you all right? I could walk with you to your grandmothers. I mean you no harm. I will again.”
Brave Little Red straightened her back. “Thank you, but I am fine. I have made this journey before.”
“Well, do take care then.” And off the wolf went.
Without incident Red emerged on the other side of the forest to a considerably brighter sky. Less than a mile ahead was her grandmother’s cozy cottage. Feeling quite happy she skipped along the path.
And just around the bend Red saw her grandma’s home, but our brave helper felt someone watching her.
From the bushes perhaps? She stopped, looked, and saw great teeth. “Who, who’s there?”
From the bushes emerged a panting figure, mouth open, and teeth showing – the wolf. “Oh, little dear I’m sorry to startle you again. But I worry. It’s my nature. When I saw you walking alone.” She stopped to catch her breath. “I’ve been running back and forth between you and my children to keep a watch over you both. I only wanted to see you safely to your grandmother’s door. I didn’t want to surprise you again.”
“That is so kind of you. I can see my grandma’s door from here. Perhaps when I make this journey again, you could walk with me and I could meet your children.”
“Yes, what a marvelous idea! I shall look for you, if you will do the same.” Red smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, my ears hear my children calling for me.”
“Certainly.” And off the wolf went.
Little Red soon thereafter had tea with her grandma and relayed the tale of her most exciting journey through the woods.
Story Books and Nursery Rhymes
I’m working on packing some of my animals and people into story-book collections. Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs, Old MacDonald, Ugly Duckling and the like. All the stories that are in public domain so there’s no worries about copyright infringement. So I found some older versions of the stories (thinking the turn of the century wording would have a nostalgic twist). Good grief are they violent. 
You can probably figure how the Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood works out – brutally. Though it was sort of nice (?) to see one of the pigs win in the end. I guess. Still, it was all vicious stuff for my pre-schoolers just before bed. And I will not have the wolf in either story be a vile character – I’ve read my Aldo Leopold.
There’s even plenty of violence where you’d wouldn’t expect it.
Little Bo Peep:
“LITTLE Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,
And can’t tell where to find them;
Leave them alone, and they’ll come home,
And bring their tails behind them.
“Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep,
And dreamt she heard them bleating;
But when she awoke, she found it a joke,
For they were still a-fleeting.
“Then up she took her little crook,
Determin’d for to find them;
She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,
For they’d left all their tails behind ’em.”
Why do their tails have to be cut off? I always thought, “leave them alone and they will come home, bringing their tails behind them,” a sweet line – I never imagined the tails were physically cut off.
Some stories are violent and mean. Clearly the Ugly Duckling was tamed down in my kindergarten class. The bullying I remember was bad enough (terrible in the original), but also in the original is a passage the ugly duckling finally makes some friends and then they’re instantly shot by a hunter. Why?
Even baa baa black sheep. Have you any wool little sheep?
Quote the black sheep:
“”Yes, marry, have I,
Three bags full:
One for my master,
And one for my dame,
And none for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.”
Phh . . . Why none? You have three bags you stingy sheep? I say bag the original text (pun intended). I’ve rewritten it:
“Yes, marry, have I,
Three bags full:
One for my master,
And one for my dame,
And the best one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.”
So I’m in the process of rewritting a lot of these old tales. I’ll keep some of the text, but most is headed for my computer’s recycling bin. The world is violent and mean enough – children will be exposed to it all and yes, I’d like to keep them from it as best I can.
D.O.G.
The newest robot of the line – oh they’re so cute.
Robots on the Brain
I’ve had loads of rave reviews about the new Happy Bungalow robot line (fingers crossed for more). As such I’ve been working on expanding the line. First up are prototypes SC”OUT and DOG I’m working on the back-stories for each.
My wife commented that the DOG robot looks a bit like a sheep. HA! How about Sherpard’s Helper Electronic E-something Protection? I don’t have the name fully worked out, or a working prototype, but I have the backstory – it’s great, but you’ll have to wait.
SCOUT isn’t an anagram – just a name. It’s another XyThanP Corp robot (like the XR14-J). I believe it’s another XR model – single digits probably, but I’ll have to confirm that. XyThanP Corp’s PR department has been tight-mouthed of late. I think it has something to do with the mining equipment scandal, but that’s just my opinion. I hope to secure more information soon.
DIY Lighting for Product Photos
How do you create great product photos? Wait for a sunny day, drag your products outdoors, take four dozen pictures, find the best pic, and endlessly tweak it in Photoshop. No sun? How about you round up all the lamps in your house, take eight dozen pictures, struggle to find one passable photo, and then spend too much time trying to make it look ok.
Thankfully there’s a better way and you don’t have to spend a fortune on professional equipment. You’ll just need to head to the store and pick up a few items.
Here’s your shopping list:
- daylight fluorescent bulbs
- light fixtures
- white sheet (or whatever background color you’d like
- something or someway to hold your lights up (see below)
A note about the light spectrum.
I used a number of light fixtures (you can see 4 in the picture), but you don’t need to. I thought the strip fixture would give good general lighting (it does), but the light isn’t as strong as I thought it would be. The clamp lights seem to deliver the most light and offer great flexibility (they’re about 7 dollars each). I had the trouble light (with the yellow handle) and the blue lamp with taped on cardboard already around the house, so I used them.
It is important that all lights used in the photographing area be daylight bulbs. Non-daylight bulbs will give your pictures a yellowy tint. You’ll want to arrange your lights evenly to give good light to all sides of your product. Or place your lights to one side to create a moody vibe. It’s hard to have too many lights. I went back to the store for reinforcements myself.
Fiddle with your camera.
I have a four year old point and shoot camera that cost a hundred bucks, but it has quite a few handy features. If you have a digital camera, I’m guessing your camera has a few features too. I can adjust my camera’s white balance, brightness / contrast, and lighting type exposure. Then I can save these setting for later recall.
Take some pictures.
I started off lint rollering the white sheet I use for a backdrop before each shoot. But I realized fuzz and minor stains will usually disappear with enough light an proper camera fiddling so know the lint roller gathers dust. The picture below is the result of the setup shown above. 
Stayed tuned for Part II where I’ll discuss the creation of a white box for taking pictures of small pieces and free photo editing software.
M.A.I.D. r3
Introducing the newest Happy Bungalow Robot. For sale at Happy Bungalow’s Etsy shop.
The M.A.I.D. r3 (Mechanical Automated Independent Domestic revision 3) was the first successful humanoid domestic assistant produced by CleanBotics.
The revision 3 followed the overly ambitious revision 2 (nicknamed MADs). The revision 2s were humanoid in shape, but had 4 arms – so they could work faster by performing simultaneous tasks. In an attempt to break into the hospitality market speed was emphasized over safety, resulting in great damage to property. Numerous lawsuits followed a brief two month service run.
The revision 3 was given softer lines, only two arms, and was introduced through a massive public relations campaign: choice product placement, celebrity endorsement, and appearances on popular television shows. The 3s served the domestic market exclusively, were reliable, and a tremendous success.
This model is a scale reproduction of the original rendered in red oak.
Couldn’t we all use a robot to vacuum our floors while serving drinks?
