Juniper Coffee Table, Redwood Top & Turquoise Inlay

Once in a while we will work on a project that is very hard to let go, once that makes you so proud you want to burst, yet happy to see it go because you want to share it with the new owner.

This summer we worked on a custom coffee table for a lady in Texas. She requested a juniper base and a redwood top with turquoise inlay. Once we went through the process of getting the base and top chosen, we were very excited to get to work on this table. This coffee table is one of our pride and joys and we want to share it with you.

Below you will see the photos of this table from start to finish and you can experience, the "coming to life" of a juniper coffee table.

These first few pictures you will see how the burl redwood top was cut down to size and a general idea of what we had in mind for the juniper pedestal.


























Now you will see the table after it has been cut down to size, shaped and ready for the next steps. Tim will work on the redwood top, getting it sanded and inlaying the turquoise. I will be working on the base, getting it sanded and ready for the finish to be applied.





































Here I am sandblasting the base and also sanding of the weathered outer layers. After this is complete I will sand it all by hand to make sure there are no scratches in the wood.




















The burl redwood top had a hole in the center, Tim inlayed a piece of burled pine into the hole and laced turquoise around the pine. He also inlaid turquoise in natural cracks in the table top. Then you can see the top after all the turquoise had been added.































The top was then hand polished and ready for the tung oil finish





















First coat of tung oil applied, we added several more coats





Finished juniper log and redwood burl coffee table

The Story Under The Bark

Creating these functional art sculptures is very rewarding, we have your moments of frustration but also many moments of great victory. Our emotions are like a roller coaster and are poured into every grain of the wood as we sand, polish and bring to life these one of a kind masterpieces. Even though we have been wood artists going on six years now, we still have our moments of doubt, doubt if we have the ability to create and put together the heirloom furniture. Then we have to take a step back and find our confidence and know that we can do this.

When we are creating these pieces, there are moments when we over think and over complicate the process. We have to let the wood speak to us and show us what it is meant to be, instead of forcing it to be something that it is not. When you let be what it is, then we know you will have something dramatic, poetic, fluid and yet peaceful.

The beauty of the wood speaks for itself, every piece that we uncover and find the hidden beauty has a story to tell. Each one of use will interpret the story differently, but yet, there is still a story there. You may have your juniper coffee table, redwood dining table or juniper floor lamp in your home and have your story, the story of how you decided to just had to have that item, how it jumper out at you and spoke to you. One that you stand around with your family and friends discussing the movements and dimensions.

You may tell the story of you had that piece custom made just for you, how you were able to choose the specific pieces of wood to create this piece of art. About the emails you received as the item was being created and was able to watch it come to life. As you describe this piece you will tell of the emotions you felt; maybe the uncertainty of how it would all come together or the complete pride and joy you felt when it arrived in the crate on your door step.

We have our stories as well, our story may be about the family outing we had when we found the piece of wood, while the kids were chasing lizards and the dogs chasing ground squirrels. There may be days when the weather is hot and stifling and the gnats are buzzing around your ears. Or days when we can look down on our little town and see the river lazily flowing through it, the clouds are blindingly white against the blue backdrop of the sky. We can hear the wind whispering through the trees as the twisted limbs are reaching out to us wanting us to bring out their beauty.

There are also the stories of "quick" wood cutting trips, ones that should only take a couple of hours but turn into all day outings. We might find a large knotted stump in the ground on a steep hillside, if we don't cut it just right it could roll to the bottom and be stuck in the bottom of the ravine. Stumps that take all of mine and Tim's strength to roll and lift and push to the trailer so we can bring it home.

Another story I have is of a time that a table lamp literally had my blood sweat and tears in it. It's one of the klutzy stories but a story none the less. I was sanding on this lamp with a mechanical sander, it was one that you could lock it so that it would stay on. I had the wood in my lap, I was wearing a loose shirt.. and the sander got a bit close to the shirt, got wound of tight in my shirt, so tight is was pinching my chest. Tim comes over, trying not to laugh and helps me get untangled. I have to admit it as careless and there was a voice in my head telling me to sand the wood on the bench, not my lap.

Anyway, I start sanding again, I put the wood in my lap again.... I was sanding with one hand and holding the wood with the other. I thought it would be easier to hold the wood with my legs and use both hands to sand so that my arm would not get tired. You would think I would have learned the first time around, but no... being the stubborn person that I am, I decided what the heck it won't happen again. Yeah, right. This time the sander grabs so fast it pulls out of my hands, flipping and turning into my shirt and in a split second the handle comes around and smacks me in the nose. I was a bit dazed... blood was running out of nose, all over everything. Tim comes back over and helps we out again.

This time was I done working in the shop for a few house. My nose hurt, throbbed and ached. it hurt so bad that even the roof of my mouth hurt. I am very relieved I did not break my nose or have a few black eyes. I did however, have that little aching reminder to sand on the bench and not on my lap.

The stories that we have or the ones that we see in these beautiful sculptures, make them all the more priceless. They make great heirlooms and conversation pieces. These one of a kind juniper creations have a story to tell, and they want to tell them to you. To have you open your mind and eyes and listen to their stories....

Turquoise Inlaid Wood Furniture

Turquoise Inlaid Furniture adds a one of a kind touch to what we call "Functional Works of Art'. The use of turquoise inlay can bring to your home an artistic touch. Log home decor emphasizes on the functional as well as beautiful and is friendly instead of formal.

These handmade very unique pieces of juniper can not be duplicated in nature or in the work shop. All shape and coloring is natural and every piece is one of a kind.

Our turquoise inlay techniques use the natural movement of the wood to determine where we will add turquoise. Bringing forth a rich colorful palette, which is not only pleasing to the eye but stays true to the natural beauty and individuality of every work of art.

There are many forms of turquoise on the market today, you will find imitation turquoise or very low grade turquoise. We only use jewelry quality Kingman's Turquoise, holding nature in the highest of esteem and will promote your desire to display your handcrafted work of art.

Woodworking As An Income

I think one of the biggest factors in making money with woodworking or any other kind of craft, is making sure that there is a market for it. You might be able to sell one place and not the other and it all depends on what people want.

Tim and I started our business 3 years ago, last year “2007” we made a decent living just off our wood products. We were thrilled with this because in 2006 we barely made enough to buy the supplies. We expect this year to surpass last years income. I think one thing with what we do is that it is unique, not many people have seen twisted juniper furniture and every single piece that we make is one of a kind and you will never find another like it.

When we first started out we had no idea what to charge for anything, I look back now and have to laugh because we had no clue what we were doing. Some of our items were way over priced and others we could have gotten a lot more for. As our craftsmanship and know how went up so did our prices. We keep track of how long it takes to work on a project, “this does not include finding the wood and pressure washing” and then we figure our prices at $35 per hour. Now sometimes you will get a lamp or candle holder that just wont sell for that price so we drop it because we know we can make it up else where. I just finished a table lamp that was pretty fast to finish but it is very very unique and i know that we can sell it for around $300. So it all kind of goes into figuring out what your market is. Heck we were able to sell a dining room table for $3500 and this without a top. So there are people willing to pay good money for good furniture and I think the market is going up for hand crafted items.

After we got confident in our product we approached a few retailers and found one that would buy from us but he wanted to pay way less then we would accept, if we would have sold our items at that price we wouldn't have made a dime. We also sold on eBay for awhile and still do, the thing with eBay is that everything is at a bargain, so we pretty much list our items at a wholesale cost which is 30% off our price. eBay does okay and it does get people to our site.

We have had a website up and running since we first started, but it has been only in this last year that we have had good traffic to the site. I built and manage the site myself and i had no clue on how to optimize it and get it out there in the search engines. Luckily there was a person that I was referred to and he gave me a free online lesson on how to get our site out there. So now we are ranking higher on Google and we have had more interest from our website in the past 3 months then we have had in the past 3 years. So this is good news. As the web designer I am currently taking free classes for SEO and Website Marketing. These have been a huge help in our web page ranking higher in the search engines http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/

In 2007 Summers ago we started selling at Crafts Shows, Farmers/Vendors Markets and Festivals. Luckily we live close to the high end ski resorts like Aspen, Vail, Steamboat Springs and Breckenridge. Our first market was in Steamboat Springs and it is every Saturday through out the summer, it costs $35 for a space and i don't have to stay overnight in town. I get up at 4am and get there in time to set up and am home by 6 that night.

We usually do pretty good at the Steamboat Markets, there have been times that we made $300 and other times that we have made $1500 for a 5 hour day. There was one day that we sold completely out. Last year I went to a 2 day show in Frisco Colorado which is pretty high end, we were selling candle holder, wind chimes, lamps and small tables. This was the first 2 day show that we had ever done, well with in the first 3 hours we sold almost completely out and made enough to cover a month worth of living expenses. The downside is the cost of fuel to get there, staying in a hotel, the booth space which was $100 and of course eating out.

When it comes to doing the shows I usually go alone because it is more cost effective to travel alone, especially if you have a family. I go get to missing my family but a few days away is always nice.

Festivals and Craft shows are a blast, but they are also a lot of work, especially if you are doing it on your own. Setting up and tearing down can get a little rough especially at 2 pm on a July afternoon. So be prepared with plenty of food and drink, extra cash to make change, a way to accept credit cards, a garden cart to haul your stuff to and from your vehicle and an easy up canopy that has 4 sides that can be zipped closed in case of rain.

Now when you start getting customers, create a database of their mailing addresses and email addresses. When ever we finish a round of stuff, usually a few weeks worth of products, I send an email out to everyone on my list letting them know what we have done. Usually you get return customers and return customers is what keeps you going. We even have a company in Missouri that buys our products and resells them.

Our target market is the high end posh towns. Even though you hear a lot about how bad he economy is, there are still a whole bunch of people out there willing to spend money on something that they find unique and many people are passionate about what they are looking for, if you can help them out, then you will have a customer for life.

Just don't give up and go with your gut. If you believe in what you do and you believe in your product then you can sell it. It just takes a little bit of time.

I hope this long story helps and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask, we are still learning as we go along, but I am sure our experiences can help others out as well.

HAPPY WOODWORKING!

Woodworking and doing what you love

Hello to all our fellow wood workers out there, and great job for doing what you love. Even though there are times that we get frustrated with a project that we are working on, run into on problem after the other; like finding new scratches every time you change the angle of your light, whoops dropped it again, dang I forgot to do that or where did that run come from? We stick with it because it is a part of us, we love it and with every item that we make, we leave a little piece of ourselves in that piece of wood.

I think one of the things I love is seeing a piece come to life. We start out by harvesting limbs off juniper trees, with a better trained eye we can see the curve or twist in the wood and know that there is something cool under that ugly thick bark. We bring it home and try to pressure wash the wood as soon as possible and get it out of the sun so the wood does not discolor. I think that pressure washing is one of the funnest parts of the process because we can see what is truly under the outer layer, it is in a way like Christmas, you never know what you are going to get and every limb is different.

Once the wood is cured we of course go to work either on a custom order or for building inventory. From there it is a whole lot of sanding, leveling, grinding, sandblasting and sometimes the project gets thoroughly “blessed” if you get my drift. Then of course we have the final project ready for spraying and then added to our website or shipped off to the customer.

We all have our own process and way of doing things, and this is what makes us all so unique. I don't think that there is a right or wrong way to do anything as long as the outcome is what we expected or better than , and that we are having fun while we are doing it. By no means do I consider ourselves professional, we are self taught, mostly by trial and error, and of course what we found on the web. What is so great about this place is that we can share our stories, learn from one another and become more inspired, and to know that we are not alone in the dust filled days of sanding and grinding.

So kudos to you all for sticking it out and doing the best that you can. Nice to meet you all and I look forward to building many lasting friendships.!!!!

Custom Handmade Handcrafted Rustic Log Furniture

Pull up a chair, put up your feet and relax. Lets Get Designing!

When it comes to furnishing your home, it is a reflection of your personality and passion, this is where we deliver superb workmanship and style by taking your design visions and making them a reality. We believe that handcrafted log cabin furniture quietly inspires all of us to be the best that we can be.

Decorating your home, hunting retreat, lodge or cabin get away should be an exciting and fun experience. Our goal is to help you create that calm sanctuary, a place to escape from the world, relax and rejuvenate yourself.

Our "open door" policy allows you to stop by our shop anytime, look through our collection of wood and pick out the pieces that are right for you. Email technology and phone conversations will also allow us to assist you with the custom furniture design process. We will then combine art and craftsmanship to bring to life that "impossible to find" item for your home.

Lets start creating memories to last for generations to come!

Here at Rocky Mountain Twist we want to make the design process as easy and uncomplicated as possible. We will offer individual guidance at our home/shop to help with the "client specific" custom furniture process, creating the perfect handmade piece for your home.

Before starting any kind of custom order, we like to start with an initial phone conversation. This gives us chance to get to know you and a better feel for what you are looking for. We can also explain the process of building a custom piece of furniture or home accessory.

We understand that the design process can be overwhelming and intimidating, so we have two ways of creating your custom order.

1. Design and Surprise - You can let us choose the design and surprise you with a finished piece

or

2. Choose Your Own Adventure - You become a part of the design process and help choose the perfect pieces of wood.

Once we have the basic information that we need, such as design idea and dimensions, we will then go through our stock pile of wood and find pieces that would work for your project. If you are going to be a part of the custom design process, we will email you pictures of wood that will work for your project and you can choose the design you like best.

When we start the building process, you will receive regular email update with pictures as we progress through your design so you can be a part of the project "coming to life".

You are more than welcome to stop by our shop anytime and personally look through our collection of wood, we will listen to your ideas and help come up with a design that is perfect for you.

There is always room in your life for thinking bigger, pushing limits and imagining the unimaginable

Lets Do The Twist by Kathy Basset

Have you ever looked at something and said, "Oh we can do that"?

Those were the words Tim Hicks voiced to Candy Hicks one day after browsing the Internet and discovering juniper furniture.

Candy thought he was crazy and maybe he just meant to "do that" as a hobby.

But he was serious, and now Tim and Candy Hicks, have a beautiful furniture-making business using juniper wood locally harvested around Maybell.

They did more research on the Internet and worked from trial and error. Starting in a small, drafty, dark and run-down trailer, they had no proper tools. Tim scraped the bark off with pliers, screwdrivers and a brass pipe fitting. Sanding was all done by hand.

Then, they found out they could pressure wash the bark off, so they lugged a few pieces to the car wash and were very disappointed that it didn't work.

But then they heard about a special nozzle. They now have their own pressure washer in a much nicer, newer shop and have graduated to real sanders.

Sometimes they get a project done so fast they wonder whether they forgot a step.

They are self-taught, but it doesn't come real easy.

First of all, they have to go out and find the perfect piece of wood.

Candy has learned that if Tim says. "It will only take a couple of hours," that she should pack a lunch with plenty of drinks and plan to be gone all day. If he mentions "shortcut" she knows she could get there faster by walking. And she doesn't forget the cell phone in case they get stuck. If there is a road or even a hint of a road, Tim will find a way to get over it, around it, or through it with a truck and gooseneck trailer.

They always take a camera along to document the current situation they might find themselves in, to save for memories.

One trip out involved digging up some root bases and, of course, it was "real easy to get to and would only take a few hours."

After they spent a while digging the root bases out, they loaded them one at a time and hauled them uphill using a two-wheel-drive 4-Wheeler and 4-Wheeler trailer with a plastic tub. The roots were so heavy the tub flattened out, but Candy, full of gusto, drove the rigs uphill, with Tim running and pushing the 4-wheeler from behind. It took all day to get the two stumps out, and it happened to be a day when Candy didn't take anything to eat.

Tim and Candy are a husband and wife team, and they would prefer to remain as a family business, not a factory-type operation. Every piece of furniture is hand-crafted and gets great attention to detail. Customers have come to realize that they are getting a "one of a kind" product that will make a great family heirloom.

Sometimes, Tim and Candy's little kiddos, who are 3 and 5 years old, like to come out and help their mom and dad by pounding nails in boards or doing some scroll work on the benches with the Dremal tool.

The Hicks are selling nationally and internationally from their Web site, www.rockymountain-twist.com. A few retailers are featuring their work, and they are looking for one local company to feature their work, as well.

They have an "open door" policy allowing people to stop by their shop any time, look through their collection of wood and pick out the pieces that feel right. They will then combine art and craftsmanship to bring to life that "impossible to find" item for the customer's home.

Browsing through pictures on their Web site gives a good indication of what beautiful meticulous work they do on each item they produce.

Custom Juniper Furniture

As designers and creators of juniper log furniture, we would like to become a part of your family. Rocky Mountain Twist is located in the northwest corner of Colorado. We are family owned and operated and specialize in custom designed log furniture and home accessories. We would like to share with you, the creativity and passion that it takes to bring these artful items to life and into many homes across the country.

When we first started in this business, one of our main goals was to build an inventory so we could travel to different shows and markets, and be able to have plenty of items to offer our customers. Now as our business is growing through word of mouth as well as the internet, we find ourselves focusing on custom orders and designing furniture to fit many needs and tastes. We currently create, market and sell our own products. With this new business venture we not only maintain the freedom to create, but also a chance to help another persons vision come to life.

Our customers have a say in what we do and the freedom to choose what they want, from the smallest of projects to a one of a kind design for us to create. Every piece is thoughtfully designed with guaranteed quality which is both functional and beautiful. Our goal is to listen to our customers, turn their vision into reality and bring to them the ultimate piece of furniture which will last for many generations. To the lover of all things handcrafted, it is a pure joy to own an authentic American made piece of modern rustic juniper log furniture.

We offer our clients on site collaboration, where we can get a better “feel” for their vision and the space it is to enhance. They are also more than welcome to stop by our shop anytime day or night, look through our inventory of wood, and help choose a piece that is right for them. Some customers have also been a part of harvesting and cleaning the wood and getting a more hands on approach in the design process. No matter what the approach we will deliver a high quality work of art and a very memorable experience in being a part of something so amazing.

What can our company offer you and your clients?
Limitless design ideas for unique and one of a kind items; which are branded, numbered and dated, making these items great for collectors. We specialize in custom designs which are tailored to fit individual tastes. And where else can you find art like this that is rustic log but still have that modern elegance that will fit into any décor?


Our main product line consists of (but not limited to):

Tables:
Occasional/lamp
Console/sofa
Dining/breakfast
Planters/shelves

Lighting
Table
Bedside/Desk
Floor
Lamp Tables
Centerpiece
Sconces

Home Accents
Wind Chimes
Candle Holders
Wood Art
Wall Clocks
Entry Way Pieces

All of our products are made from dead or dying Juniper/Cedar trees, which are a renewable resource. Not all junipers are twisted, like the pieces that we use. It takes many hours of scouting to find pieces of wood that we will use in our projects. When harvesting the wood we only cut a branch or two off a tree and on a rare occasion we will use the whole tree; this helps eliminate any needless waste. Once a project is completed and ready for finish we use a water based polycrylic by Minwax, in the effort to be more environmentally friendly we are willing to discuss any new finish ideas to create a green product.