tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post4919310504225330121..comments2023-12-02T06:33:50.847-08:00Comments on Notes from a Common-place Book: How to Make FurnitureTerry (John)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07523479530843509695noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-35040760597723506922011-06-07T07:55:49.406-07:002011-06-07T07:55:49.406-07:00My grandfather made furniture as a hobby, he'd...My grandfather made furniture as a hobby, he'd have loved that text. My cherry dining table and sideboard that he made will long outlive me.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01426649248840375486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-64070344557877609002011-06-06T21:54:06.585-07:002011-06-06T21:54:06.585-07:00John,
You would probably also like the word of Rob...John,<br />You would probably also like the word of Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson of Kilburn - see http://www.mousemanfurniture.com/9.html<br /><br />but I don't know whether he ever penned a similar manifesto. He was rather later though: 1930s.CGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06042550309690689027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-82858174747479767202011-06-06T19:31:11.370-07:002011-06-06T19:31:11.370-07:00This is the way this all came about: My wife was ...This is the way this all came about: My wife was scanning the want-ads in the Saturday paper and saw a listing for a "Cowan writing desk" in an estate sale ad. She asked me about it and I told her I had never heard of such a thing. My interest was peaked, so I did a bit of research online and learned about the company. I found it interesting that the piece was not described as an oak writing desk or a mahogany writing dest, but a Cowan writing desk. This may speak to the point made above that perhaps this ethos was unusual for that day as well--so much so that the maker's name stood out (and lived on) in connection with a particularly well-built piece of furniture.<br /><br />And Stonephemera, I remember reading about straw-bale houses in the past. Do you have any links to good sites to read about this"Terry (John)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07523479530843509695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-2485090669760044732011-06-06T18:31:35.618-07:002011-06-06T18:31:35.618-07:00I do everything I can to make each of my books the...I do everything I can to make each of my books the best that I can possibly make it. Where i fail, it is the failure of ability and not intent.Milton T. Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01063079657696373189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-42383356608749681982011-06-06T14:16:20.982-07:002011-06-06T14:16:20.982-07:00The Arts & Crafts movement was huge in the Eng...The Arts & Crafts movement was huge in the England of Cowan's day, and the language here suggests he was almost certainly a disciple. See:<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_Movement<br /><br />A beautiful text, John.Ochlophobist https://www.blogger.com/profile/13751003558600087713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-46774075499568444882011-06-06T11:19:43.659-07:002011-06-06T11:19:43.659-07:00This sort of ethos may be making a comeback (if it...This sort of ethos may be making a comeback (if it ever was truly gone), but very likely not in a really big way. However, the fact that William Cowen felt the need to make such a statement indicates that such morals were not common even in 1898. It is very likely that in Cowans industrial age, this sentiment may have felt even more antiquated that it does to you today. For similar statements being make today, take a look at (three of my interests) the straw-bale house movement (or other self-built home movements), Rivendell bikes, or the renewed interest in gardening and quality local food.stonephemerahttp://stonephemera.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-80809947854359134672011-06-06T11:09:13.701-07:002011-06-06T11:09:13.701-07:00so many of wish for this to return; Lord help us.so many of wish for this to return; Lord help us.elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00962587884124992942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18762198.post-60264187642546599742011-06-06T08:50:11.209-07:002011-06-06T08:50:11.209-07:00There is a certain morality today which would argu...There is a certain morality today which would argue that Mr. William Cowan was not only laughable, but actually sinful. You see, if economic exchange is good then the efficiency of that exchange is the means of achieving that good. All such deliberate positions seeking to thwart efficiency are axiomatically evil. Such persons are economic villains. Using their capital advantage to weaken the collective wealth-tide which should raise all ships (aka my ship).<br /><br />Oh, I don't believe any of that rubbish, and I know most folks wouldn't say it that way; but it is the heart of their ethical fabric (both progressive and capitalist alike).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com