
On the Jennie Alexander chairmaking front – I worked with Alexander for years and years – and we made many of these chairs together. In the early 1990s we worked on a second edition of the book Make a Chair from a Tree and it included an afterword that described and illustrated the then-current updates to the chairmaking process from the original 1978 edition. Around that time, we shot a full-length video of the process, but JA was not satisfied with it, and scrapped the whole thing. Then later, while I was off in joinery-land, JA and Anatol Polillo produced an excellent video that shows the most current version of how to build this chair.
You probably already saw this news – but Lost Art Press announced yesterday that it’s got the video ready for streaming. Here’s the link:
‘Make a Chair From a Tree’ Streaming Video Now Available
My one comment – Chris doesn’t know what it’s called. It’s not a “Jennie” chair, it’s a JA chair. Always was.
Get it while you wait for the next (and best) edition of the book.
On the same subject, next year, I’m planning two classes on making these chairs. When I have the particulars sorted out, I’ll announce them here & elsewhere. I’ve made four of these chairs lately, and they’ve all sold – soon I’ll be taking orders for a small batch of my versions of these as well. Lots more about these chairs in upcoming posts.
Peter, that will be a great class! glad to hear it.
Peter,
I am excited to hear you are planning to teach JA Chair classes. I will be watching closely for that announcement.
Thank you,
Michael
This is a wonderful post! I have come across a woodworking site where this wonderful man helps you step by step on any project. You can find him here: https://bit.ly/2xDmTAn
What is your opinion on the great two pins versus one pin controversy. At some juncture, JA rejected the two-pin idea, hence my focusing on a one-pin chair for you know where. I note also the shaved armchair is all double-pinned. JA stated that the two-pin idea came from another chair maker, then rejected it. The one you illustrate here, from the American Furniture 2008 article, has two pins.
two. I think there’s more stress on the slats than anything else; and on one pin they can pivot some. It might be in my head, though.
I am enjoying the video and looking forward to the book release and the class announcement. Very exciting to see JA’s work receiving so much well deserved attention.
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