New Journey

So, I lied. There was ONE more small project. This little presentation box to hold that lovely ring for my lady.
Yep, I'm engaged. Phew!
I had the ring commissioned from Britta Lynn Kauppila. She's a wonderful metal smith working between Duluth and Minneapolis. I couldn't have been happier with the ring. Eva says the same.

Ta da!

Enkel Board

Greetings. Back with the last of the small projects previously mentioned.

Enkel - Simple: uncomplicated, clear, obvious.

It seems as time passes it becomes increasingly difficult to find the tried and true,  obvious goods which memory or inkling recalls as ought to be.
The labor required becomes seen as too costly. The solutions are not fresh or novel. The growing desire for more goods rather than better ones. There are numerous reasons for this drought of obvious goods. I can’t be the only one who finds it frustrating and a shame.

Always interested in craft education, I figured I’d give a try at a very approachable product for just about anyone, not to mention an obvious gift good. Perhaps something to use in the new year and beyond?

The Enkel Board will be most commonly recognized as a cutting board, or skärbräda if you like, but you needn’t stop there. I use mine as a serving tray, a platter, even a plate in addition to a stable, hard surface for culinary preparations.
It just may look something like the one your grandfather made back when.

The Enkel Board is made using a laminated edge-grain construction. This makes the cutting surface harder and the board more stable. The rectangular shape maximizes use of space and simplicity of storage. Both sides are equally useable without feet or other gadgets. Simple application of mineral oil is food safe and keeps the board healthy.
In the pursuit of excellence, each board is purposefully selected from raw material and carefully reconstructed to maintain the integrity of the lumber, given near obsessive surface quality, and hand softened edges.
All Enkel Boards are ¾” to 13/16” thick. Large boards measure between 10”x19” and 11”x20”. Small boards measure between 6.5”x12” and 7.25”x13”.

Thus far I've used Maple and Cherry. Maple is a bit harder but Cherry is also fine grained and food safe.
I like to use air-dried Maple particularly in this case for its warmer color which works better with the mineral oil. Also for its added variation in colors which makes for more interesting pieces. In this case, the small board pictured exhibits a bit of spalting.

I figured I'd try putting them on an etsy page, Nicholas Nelson's Etsy page. If there seems to be interest, it's something I may put together between projects or to order.

Happy New year!