Photos bring back memories

[Mike Davis]

When I was at my Mothers place I found some old Polaroids of things I made in the 70s. I was in my twenties at the time and had very little wood working experience and NO training. (much like now!!)

Anyway, looking back I think I did some pretty amazing work for a Bama redneck kid.

Sorry about the photo quality, the pictures are nearly thirty years old and not the best even then.

 

[cskipper]

You certainly did do a good job.

 

[Rod]

Wow Mike. Those are impressive.

 

[rita541]

very nice. Do you or your mother still have the original items?
rita541

 

[nelsone]

Those are awesome Mike! How did you do the the wheels and bent components on the cart?

 

[WoodWrangler]

Nice stuff ... where is it now?

 

[skeeter]

Awesome work Mike, just like now.

 

[Mike Davis]

very nice. Do you or your mother still have the original items?
rita541

My Mother passed away about a month ago. Her husband (deceased 3 years ago) owned the company I worked for while making these.

We made 100 of the wheel barrows for Neiman-Marcus. Only two of the shrimp carts were ever completed. I made all of the parts and finished both prototypes, some of the parts were farmed out for the production run.

I now have one of the wheel barrows and a few odd parts of the cart.

The wheelbarrow is a reproduction of an 1880s original. I designed and built the cart and made all the forms and jigs.

All the bent wood was laminated white oak strips.

 

[rbdoby]

Mike,

You had told me about building these. Now that I see the pictures I'm even more impressed.

Ain't it wonderment what you had time to do when you only had 3 channels on the TV? Won't mention the other stuff we didn't have back then.

Rick Doby

 

[Mike Davis]

Rick, I still have only three channels on my TV. :rotflm:

But, now I work a full time job, drive two and a half hours a day to get there and back, do a little work around the farm and try to help with the kids now and then.

All that doesn't leave much time for WWing. :nah:

 

[walnutjerry]

I am impressed Mike----------you have been goldbricking on us. Those pieces take some craftsmanship to do. I am sure those skills are still with you. I will be looking for some comparable projects from you in the future.

Jerry

 

[Trent Mason]

Mike,

That is truely impressive. :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap :notworthy: Bent lamination is the one thing I want to learn more than anything else. When I saw those wheels, my jaw hit the floor. You are a true craftsman my friend. :notworthy:

Cheers, ccasion1

Trent

 

[sawduster]

Having seen some of your other work in person ( I still talk about that rocking horse ! ) I'm not at all surprised to find out you've been a natural from an early age

.....not surprised but most definitely impressed :icon_thum :icon_thum

You rock bro :eusa_clap

 

[rita541]

hmmmmmmm...I love the shrimp cart. Do you have plans or patterns for it. Wonder if I could get Dick to make me one. Don't know what I would use it for but itis so pretty.
rita

 

[CaptnA]

very nice indeed~
that shrimp cart is a little imagination away from the tea cart I've always wanted to make....:widea:

mother and one sister still have things I've made over the years. loml saw the jewelry chest I made my sister many years ago out of one piece of willow one of the last times we were at her home. somehow those two seem to keep/use/cherish the things they are given. maybe that's why I always seem to make them things and usually buy everyone else something.

 

[DavidF]

Both of these are outstanding Mike. The shrimp cart is pretty as Rita said. Lovely form AND Function.