2nd Annual June Chair Build

Last year's June Chair Build was a world-wide, resounding success. I finished my chair sometime in August, and the other two guys who built June chairs barely beat me to it.

With such an overwhelming outpouring of artistic effort, I think it is time to start thinking about the 2nd Annual June Chair Build!

For motivation, I have collected some photos of my chairs for you.

This is Stoolerable. Not all my chairs have names, but this one does. It might look funny, but it is perfect as a shop stool in my tiny shop.

The idea is simple, really. Use this as an excuse to build a chair.

Any chair.

This is the first Roorkee chair I did. Pear and black leather.

My suggestion is to quit waiting until you have the perfect piece of wood, all the right tools, a six month sabbatical, or whatever excuse has been preventing you from building a chair and just do it.

This amazing chair I helped my dad build. The material of choice for his hobby is diamond willow.

I feared building a chairs for the longest time. I always thought I didn't know enough about woodworking for the crazy angles, green wood, or who knows what. It turns out there is probably some kind of chair out there you can build with the tools and skills you already have.

Coffee 'n Cream. Hair-on cowhide and wenge, which was intended for an abandoned project.

If you have always wanted to build a chair, my suggestion is don't wait. Just go ahead and start with whatever you happen to have. You'll figure it out as you go along. There are some great resources online, as well as some fantastic books which you'll surely come across.

The Viking Throne. Elm and ash. I made this at the Danish Chair Building Extravaganza at Jonas' (Mulesaw) two years ago.

If you are a little unsure of yourself, cooperate with someone nearby. Even if they aren't an expert, you'll have fun and learn something.

Modern Welsh Side Chair. Elm and fumed oak. This was the chair I built last June. Except it wasn't finished until August. Ahem.

Don't worry too much if your spouse isn't crazy about what it is you plan to build. If she doesn't like it, you can always give it away as a gift. Someone will get an amazing present, and you'll learn a lot about chairs that you can use on your next chair!

SatanSantaPope Chair. Leather and ash with a charred finish. This chair was made without a lathe.

I love to see chairs by experienced chair builders, but I would REALLY love to see someone's first chair.

Who's with me?

Just let me know in the comments, by InstaGram, or by email that you would like to participate, and send an occasional photo or two. I would love to see them, and I'll most likely post them here.