I am going to be participating in two shows this fall, the Historic Seattle Bungalow Fair on September 25th and 26th, and the Pasadena Heritage 19th Annual Craftsman Weekend October 16th and 17th.
The last time I did a show was the Seattle show in 2004.
From that experience I’ve learned that doing shows can be quite exhausting. Initially I felt disappointment from the effort due to rather modest sales during the show. I have since learned that it’s not so much the day of show sales that count, but it is also making a personal connection with the community, getting myself seen and recognized that’s more important. I have had customers contact me years after the show from the brochure I had available.
In looking at the calendar I realize that there is not that much time left as summer and all of it’s distractions so quickly passes. I have a number of new clock designs in the works that I would like to have completed in time for the shows. The grandfather clock I have planned will have to wait since it will be too large to be carting off to any shows.
When I was moving my shop I discovered a stash of some highly figured maple, oak, walnut and other hardwoods that had been buried in the stacks. I have been working with some of the pieces of wood, slicing in half and opening up, known as “bookmatching”. My favorite part of the entire process is “finding the clocks” in a particular piece of wood – move it around, trim it down and it soon becomes apparent what it is meant to be.
Arroyo Tall Arch lurking within.
A large scale Buffalo Tall.
These will be some of the special one of a kind clocks I will have ready in time for the show.
If you are in the Seattle or Pasadena / Los Angeles area please come by so we can meet!
at the present time 
I love your new designs. . . and being able to see how you “find” the clock in the wood grain. The clocks are truly beautiful.
Jimmy…your work is so gorgeous!
Will we see you down here in October???
The new designs remind me of the wood cabinets of the vacuum tube radios of my grandfathers’ era. The cabinets would stand tall and look presidential to me; if you looked behind them, you could see the tubes glowing yellow-gold in the deep recesses of that magical cavern. The early 1950’s often saw three or even four generations in the same neighborhood – nobody moved far from home it seemed – and the wood cabinets were cherished as part of the family tradition of closeness, like things were weighty and lasted for a long, long time, and the past was of value, not because it was better but because it was ours.
Hi again Jim,
Very excited about your participation in the Seattle Bungalo Fair. We will try hard to be able to attend. Will love to see you new designs as well as old ones in person. Are you planning on bringing any corner clock shelves?
Dave and Debbie Hill