MERCHANTS ROW / blog

Some readers may have already seen this shot on the Korduroy.tv facebook page as one of the finalists for last week’s show us your quiver contest.  It was fun to lay them all out on the lawn and climb up on the gorilla ladder to shoot this pic.  It was also fun to check out all the other quivers in the album.  But it got me thinking.

I’m not a collector – never have been into owning a lot of stuff that I don’t use.  That’s why I’m offering up my Robert August twin keel fish (top right), which boasts Mark Richards style plywood glass ons, insane color, and Clark Foam logo for sale.  And while I’m at it, if anyone wants the paipo, I’m up for selling that too.  The fact is, even though I cherish those boards, I need the cash a whole lot more than I need them taking up space in my garage.  So don’t hesitate to email me if interested to talk condition, price, and logistics.

A friend recently told me that March is statistically the best month for surfing in Maine.  I can’t confirm that is true, but I’ll take his word for it.  Especially because after a painfully flat February, a large storm delivered some much needed swell right on the first of March.  Here’s hoping that it’s a sign for more to come this month.

Spent a little time this weekend making a batch of leash plugs.  Mahogany and Poplar respectively, 1 1/4″ diameter, 3/4″ deep, with 5/32″ brass pins.  Available soon in the online store.

If you check the date stamps on my most recent posts, or follow this blog with any regularity, you’ll realize I’ve been on somewhat of a hiatus.  This past holiday season was a busy one in the Merchants Row shop.  And I really needed the month of January to catch up on sleep and grow the fingerprints back which had been worn down by sanding.  But it’s February now and vacation is over.

Even though it’s still getting dark before 5pm, the ocean is 40 degrees F and dropping, and it feels like hibernation is still in order, I have to wake up.  There are commission projects to complete, new wholesale customers to satisfy, and inventory to build for the soon to launch Korduroy Makers store.  So, it’s going to be a productive next couple weeks, and I’ll do my best to keep up on posting.

As much as I love Apple products, I held out on getting an iPhone for quite a while.  Partly because of the extra cost for the data plan, and partly because I believe it usually takes a few versions before the kinks get properly worked out of any new device.  But a few weeks ago, I finally bit the bullet and became a member of the iPhone community.

And it’s been great.  I signed up for Square, and got my card reader just in time for the holiday craft fair season – a great new way to receive payment for goods and services.  And of course I’ve been having fun with the camera, and apps which allow you to filter and manipulate images, like Instagram and Hipstamatic.   Below are some examples of which I took while in full production mode over the last few weeks.  I know they’re a step down in sharpness and tonal range from the ones I normally post taken with my SLR, but the process is too much fun to resist.

Gulf of Maine Memory Tiles boxes on the cutting table.

Puzzle pieces cut out and staged for sanding in my basement workshop.

Paulownia Alphabets drying in the garage.

Hand Plane drying in the garage.

Finished Maple Logging Truck on display at the MeCA Holiday Sale.