February 7, 2010

Welcome to our web site and the current publication of Heart Hand and Eye, Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking's newsletter celebrating the work of our students, alumni and faculty.

James Krenov

1920-2009

"Wanting to be a craftsman, or a woodworker, there are, I believe limited choices. The emphasis these days is on novelty, efficiency with very little individual contribution; many schools follow this trend. There are relatively few schools, in fact very few schools that educate a person to become a complete craftsman in wood. One of the schools I have been following and observing is at Roberts Creek in Canada, it is called Inside Passage School. I know the people there, I like what they are doing and I like very much the way they are doing it. The emphasis is on hand skills, not primitive methods but efficient skills. Work that that can be traced to the maker, the hand, the eye and the heart.
The staff is open and warm and generous and there is an opportunity there at Roberts Creek to develop the skills that support this approach. In fact the kind of work that I have for many years encouraged, the craftsman as an individual. I think that this will emerge gradually as the school for the complete craftsman. If I were starting my life today as a craftsman, and needed to learn what matters the most; my choice would be Inside Passage School."

James Krenov

Jim Krenov's hand tools have arrived in Robert's benchroom. A couple of his machines including his table saw with slot mortiser and his jointer and planer now grace our machine room floor. They will see limited use and serve as a fine examples simplicity. In addition we have added a vintage 1966 Wadkin Dimension Saw shown above with cast iron slider and micro adjustment fence.

Josie, in one of her favorite spots, on JK's mechanical veneer press in Robert's benchroom.

Resident Craftsmen 2010-2011

Inside Passage is proud and grateful to announce our selections for the Resident Craftsman Program for 2010-2011.

Barbara Shelton takes questions during the marquetry lecture, will be returning for a third year of study. She will join Evan Bush, Hyung Soo Hong, Michael Opalski, Meredith Walker and Steve Wolf who will all be returning for a second year of study. Daisuke Tanaka, who is finishing off his third year may also be returning for a fourth year space permitting.

Resident Craftsmen Blog is published by our resident craftsmen in an effort to keep friends, family and potential students abreast of happenings at the school.

Last month, Steve Neil, Byron VanderBeek and Steve Wolf spent the day chainsaw milling with Artisan Program alumni Dan McCallum. They returned the next day very tired with another truckload of material for the school. Yvonne and I are very grateful for their efforts.

Dan has graciously donated thousands of feet of locally harvest slabs to our school over the past few years. Including Elm, Catalpa, Port Orford Cedar, Maple, Cypress and Oak. We are all very grateful for your generosity of your time and materials. Our dehumidification kiln has been running steady since last spring.

The students and I have just returned from our annual wood run to Portland Oregon. We are frantically trying to make room for the very impressive inventory in transit including Swiss Pear, Claro Walnut, Lebanese Cedar, Black Limba, Cocobolo, Spanish Cedar, Verawood, Curly Costello Boxwood, Bocote, Ziricote, Masur Birch, Padouk, Ceylon Satinwood, Santos Rosewood, Tambootie, Curly Madrone, Camphor, Blackwood, Kingwood and Madagascar Ebony. Yvonne says we need less wood, I think you can never have enough wood, we just need more space.

Student & Faculty Work

Craftsman Program 2009

If you would like to view more of our work follow the link below

Fine Furniture Online

Alumni & Faculty. We will be publishing new work from this years program in May.

"I live in a beautiful place and work at something Ilove. I make enough money to live and my demands on the worlds resources are very meager."

John Brown

In the past five years we have had nearly five hundred students from Japan, Korea, Australia, Colombia, South Africa, United States, Canada, Germany, Ireland, England, Romania, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Venezuela.

I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude to all of our students, alumni and faculty, this school not only exists for you but because of you.

We are accepting registrations for our Artisan Program for 2010. If you would you would like more information or would like to register call Yvonne toll free at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be faxed to 1.604.885.9711

We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Craftsman Program.

Our Next exhibition of student, alumni and faculty work will take place at our annual open house which will take place on December 19, 2009 at our schools Heart Hand & Eye Gallery. There will be more information regarding this event in the next publication of our newsletter.

After reviewing the curriculum of both our Artisan and Craftsman Programs with Jim this past summer, we will be continue to make minor refinements to each of our programs. Descriptions will be updated in the coming months. If you have any questions please call Yvonne on our toll free number 1.877.943.9663.

We will be enlisting the services of a web designer to assist us with the design of our new website. We hope to have it up in the new year.

I would to thank my soul mate, my friend, my partner in life and work for keeping me, our school and our family on course.

Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert

December 6, 2009

Welcome to our website and the current publication of Heart Hand and Eye, Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking's newsletter celebrating the work of our students, alumni and faculty.

James Krenov

1920-2009

Celebration of the Life and Work

On September 9th of this year the world lost one of the most influential craftsman and teachers of our time. And I lost my friend. My first conversation with Jim Krenov took place in the fall of 1987 and my last was just a few days before Jim passed.

I am so very grateful for our friendship that spanned over two decades. His words of encouragement shaped my work as a craftsman, and as a teacher. In 1998 an unfortunate life changing experience lead to the realization of the dream when I was given the opportunity to study with Jim at the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program the following year. I consider myself very fortunate to be alumni of that fine school. The year my family and I spent in Fort Bragg California had profound influence on our lives. Our school would not exist had not been for the generous assistance of all my teachers there. However it was in the years that followed that Jim’s impact on my life and work would be even more deeply felt.

Jim gave his first lecture at our school in the fall of 2005 and the last to my students earlier this summer. In the months that followed we spoke on a regular basis during which time I know he tried to prepare me for the time in which my own experience and the many years of conversations would be left to carry out his work. So today I said goodbye to my friend and make a promise to always remember.

On October 31, 2009 we gathered at the school to celebrate my teachers life and work. I would like to extend deep gratitude to Derrick and Trudene du Toit for allowing us to bring one of Jim’s last cabinets in for the celebration. To my students who insist that while his voice is silent, his spirit remains strong in our work at the school, I thank you for all of your kind words. Reflecting back on the day, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude, with alumni in attendance from each of our first five years. Many made significant sacrifices to attend and wish I had words to adequately convey my appreciation.

The celebration concluded with those in attendance writing a few words on a piece of Alaska yellow cedar at which time shavings were taken and placed in a box of Canadian maple and Mendocino cypress made by our students and resident craftsman in Jim’s honor.

The plane used was made by Jim in 1960, passed along to Michael Burns in 1980, the year the College of the Redwoods was founded. Michael passed the plane along to me in 2004, the year our school was founded. While he and Jim drifted apart in the later years Michael's friendship remains very important to me. The plane iron was careful sharpened by third year student and resident craftsman Daisuke Tanaka from Japan. The box will be burned at an Elephants to will take place at our home in a few weeks.

I spoke to Britta following the ceremony when I conveyed our appreciation for all her efforts making Jim's weekly lectures possible. Britta continues to be an important person in my family's life. Britta has asked that any one wishing to make a contribution in Jim's memory be made to the James Krenov Scholarship Fund.

Student & Faculty Work

Craftsman Program 2009

If you would like to view more of our work follow the link below

Fine Furniture Online

Alumni & Faculty

"I live in a beautiful place and work at something Ilove. I make enough money to live and my demands on the worlds resources are very meager."

John Brown

In the past five years we have had nearly five hundred students from Japan, Korea, Australia, Colombia, South Africa, United States, Canada, Germany, Ireland, England, Romania, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Venezuela.

We are nearing completion of fundamental exercises in our fifth Craftsman Program with a full compliment of students including four second year students and one third year student.

I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude to all of our students, alumni and faculty, this school not only exists for you but because of you.

Student & Alumni Blogs

If you are interested following our students work at the school or the work of a few of our alumni please follow the links below.

We are accepting registrations for our Program Schedule for 2010. If you would you would like more information or would like to register call Yvonne toll free at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be faxed to 1.604.885.9711

We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Craftsman Program.

Our Next exhibition of student, alumni and faculty work will take place at our annual open house which will take place on December 19, 2009 at our schools Heart Hand & Eye Gallery. There will be more information regarding this event in the next publication of our newsletter.

After reviewing the curriculum of both our Artisan and Craftsman Programs with Jim this past summer, we will be continue to make minor refinements to each of our programs. Descriptions will be updated in the coming months. If you have any questions please call Yvonne on our toll free number 1.877.943.9663.

We will be enlisting the services of a web designer to assist us with the design of our new website. We hope to have it up in the new year.

I would to thank my soul mate, my friend, my partner in life and work for keeping me, our school and our family on course.

Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert

September 10, 2009

Welcome to our website and the current publication of Heart Hand and Eye, Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking's newsletter celebrating the work of our students, alumni and faculty.

James Krenov

1920-2009

Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking is deeply saddened to announce the passing of my teacher and dear friend.

Contributions

Many people have asked how they could express their appreciation of Jim Krenov, his work, and his ideals. Britta Krenov has suggested that contributions may be made to the James Krenov Scholarship.

A celebration of Jim's life and work will be held at the school on October 31, 2009 at 1pm The celebration is open to all who shared Jim's passion for life and our craft.

I am still searching for words. Our resident craftsmen have begun a blog in an effort to keep family, friends and potential students of life at Inside Passage School from a students perspective. Barb has also started her own blog

Resident Craftsmen Blog

Barb Shelton Blog

Student & Faculty Work

Craftsman Program 2009

If you would like to view more of our work follow the link below

Fine Furniture Online

Alumni & Faculty

Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking is proud and grateful to introduce our 2009 alumni

Craftsman Program

Class of 2009

Steve, Fergal, Michael, Jody, Ian & Jacques,
Doug, Craig, Derek, Nick, Yosuke & Neil,
Yvonne, Gary, Grig, Barb, Brad, Jason & Robert
absent - Daisuke, Juan Carlos & Hannah

Artisan Program (first semester)

Graphics & Edges

Jorg, Dean, Kim, Rick & Hong
Anjali, Maureen, Robert & Daisuke

Planemaking & Surfaces

Hong, Dean, Maureen, Daisuke & Francois
Kim, Anjali, Robert & Jorg

Dovetails & Toolmaking

Dean, Daisuke, Robert, Larry, Tom, Dan & Hong
Anjali, Jorg, Alistair & Kevin

Joinery & Methods

Tom, Hong, Hank, Dean, Rick, Jorg & Alistair

Anjali, Daisuke, Robert & Kevin

Veneers & Curves

Nick, Dean & Hank
Hong, Robert & Jorg

Hardware & Finish

Daisuke, Jorg, Dean
Hong & Robert

Artisan Program (second semester)

Graphics & Edges

Daisuke, Stan, Larry, Keith, Doug, Jack & John
Irene, Tadi, Robert, Ricardo & Tom

Planemaking & Surfaces

Pascal, Larry, Daisuke, Ricardo & Stan
Pascal's children, John, Robert & Jack

Dovetails & Toolmaking

Daisuke, Ricardo, John & Irene
Steve, Robert, Jorg & Scott

Joinery & Methods

Phillip, Ron & John
Werner, Ricardo, Robert, Steve & Irene

Veneers & Curves

Rob, Steve, Justin
Ricardo, Robert & John

Hardware & Finish

Rob, Bill, John & Ricardo
Maaike, Tadi, Yvonne & Robert

We are accepting registrations for our Program Schedule for 2010. If you would you would like more information or would like to register call Yvonne toll free at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be faxed to 1.604.885.9711

We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Craftsman Program.

Our Resident Craftsman have offered to publish Resident Craftsman Journal beginning this fall. This will offer a student's perspective of life at Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking. A few of our alumni maintain blogs focusing on their current work, Ian Godfrey and Nick Nelson are just two. Please visit our alumni pages for more details.

"Live simply that others may simply live."

Mahatma Gandhi

A heartfelt thanks to Jim for all his words of encouragement and inspiration, and to his wife Britta who makes our weekly talks possible.

On the final day of the Artisan Program we very fortunate to visit the shop of Bradley Hunt and his sons Shawn Hunt (shown above) and Dean. Leaving their humble work space I was left with a deep since of inspiration, watching this father son team at work.

"I live in a beautiful place and work at something Ilove. I make enough money to live and my demands on the worlds resources are very meager."

John Brown

In the past five years we have had nearly five hundred students from Japan, Korea, Australia, Colombia, South Africa, United States, Canada, Germany, Ireland, England, Romania, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Venezuela.

In just ten days we begin our fifth Craftsman Program with a full compliment of students including three second year students and one third year student. I am filled with a deep since of gratitude to all of our students, alumni and faculty, this school not only exists for you but because of you.

Our Next exhibition of student, alumni and faculty work will take place on December 19, 2009 at our schools Heart Hand & Eye Gallery.

I would to thank my soul mate, my friend, my partner in life and work for keeping me, our school and our family on course.

Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert

August 30, 2009

Welcome to our website and the current publication of Heart Hand and Eye, Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking's newsletter celebrating the work of our students, alumni and faculty.

Student & Faculty Work

Craftsman Program 2009

If you would like to view more of our work follow the link below

Fine Furniture Online

Alumni & Faculty

Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking is proud and grateful to introduce our 2009 alumni

Craftsman Program

Class of 2009

Steve, Fergal, Michael, Jody, Ian & Jacques,
Doug, Craig, Derek, Nick, Yosuke & Neil,
Yvonne, Gary, Grig, Barb, Brad, Jason & Robert
absent - Daisuke, Juan Carlos & Hannah

Artisan Program (first semester)

Graphics & Edges

Jorg, Dean, Kim, Rick & Hong
Anjali, Maureen, Robert & Daisuke

Planemaking & Surfaces

Hong, Dean, Maureen, Daisuke & Francois
Kim, Anjali, Robert & Jorg

Dovetails & Toolmaking

Dean, Daisuke, Robert, Larry, Tom, Dan & Hong
Anjali, Jorg, Alistair & Kevin

Joinery & Methods

Tom, Hong, Hank, Dean, Rick, Jorg & Alistair

Anjali, Daisuke, Robert & Kevin

Veneers & Curves

Nick, Dean & Hank
Hong, Robert & Jorg

Hardware & Finish

Daisuke, Jorg, Dean
Hong & Robert

Artisan Program (second semester)

Graphics & Edges

Daisuke, Stan, Larry, Keith, Doug, Jack & John
Irene, Tadi, Robert, Ricardo & Tom

Planemaking & Surfaces

Pascal, Larry, Daisuke, Ricardo & Stan
Pascal's children, John, Robert & Jack

Dovetails & Toolmaking

Daisuke, Ricardo, John & Irene
Steve, Robert, Jorg & Scott

Joinery & Methods

Phillip, Ron & John
Werner, Ricardo, Robert, Steve & Irene

Veneers & Curves

Rob, Steve, Justin
Ricardo, Robert & John

Hardware & Finish

Rob, Bill, John & Ricardo
Maaike, Tadi, Yvonne & Robert

We are accepting registrations for our Program Schedule for 2010. If you would you would like more information or would like to register call Yvonne toll free at 1.877.943.9663. Alternatively registrations may be faxed to 1.604.885.9711

We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Craftsman Program.

Our Resident Craftsman have offered to publish Resident Craftsman Journal beginning this fall. This will offer a student's perspective of life at Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking. A few of our alumni maintain blogs focusing on their current work, Ian Godfrey and Nick Nelson are just two. Please visit our alumni pages for more details.

"Live simply that others may simply live."

Mahatma Gandhi

A heartfelt thanks to Jim for all his words of encouragement and inspiration, and to his wife Britta who makes our weekly talks possible.

On the final day of the Artisan Program we very fortunate to visit the shop of Bradley Hunt and his sons Shawn Hunt (shown above) and Dean. Leaving their humble work space I was left with a deep since of inspiration, watching this father son team at work.

"I live in a beautiful place and work at something Ilove. I make enough money to live and my demands on the worlds resources are very meager."

John Brown

In the past five years we have had nearly five hundred students from Japan, Korea, Australia, Colombia, South Africa, United States, Canada, Germany, Ireland, England, Romania, Barbados, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Venezuela.

In just ten days we begin our fifth Craftsman Program with a full compliment of students including three second year students and one third year student. I am filled with a deep since of gratitude to all of our students, alumni and faculty, this school not only exists for you but because of you.

Our Next exhibition of student, alumni and faculty work will take place on December 19, 2009 at our schools Heart Hand & Eye Gallery.

I would to thank my soul mate, my friend, my partner in life and work for keeping me, our school and our family on course.

Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert