tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80407510050221449772024-03-05T19:03:44.862-08:00John Strauss Design BlogJohn Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-14532288923061854282021-02-07T06:53:00.001-08:002021-02-07T06:55:20.105-08:00The Sword of Damocles<p><span style="font-size: large;"> In 1979, my Father died of pancreatic cancer, and suffered from coronary issues while sick. He was 60 years old and I was 20. As I grew older, I did wonder whether there was a certain sword of Damocles hanging nearby my head. When one's parent dies early, it is hard not to think about what your time on Earth has in store for you. A year and a half ago, I turned 60 myself. It was surreal to consider that my Father had only that many years to live and feel what that span of life felt like. Life has just turned sweet again for me after some difficult years and I am ready for a new chapter of designing and living with a life partner. Fast forward to a full check up with a new Internist in my hometown this September. He places a stethoscope on my chest during the exam and says, "huh". I ask him what does "Huh" mean in this context, and he says he hears a large whoosh or heart murmur. Suddenly, I feel a panic of what I thought I had escaped a year and a half ago in that 60 year old threshold. Maybe "my time" had just been delayed for a little while? My doctor gets me to schedule an echocardiogram the next day and the day after he has the results: "You need to see a cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic." I swallow. It turns out I have a bad mitral valve. The good news is that it can be repaired. The "whoosh" sound is the valve "leaking" or regurgitating blood back into the heart that should pump outwards. Also, good news: The Cleveland Clinic is one of the top places in the Country to have this work done and it is only an hour away from home. I proceed to have days of testing and follow that up with a visit with the surgeon, where he informs me that as heart surgeries go, mine is relatively minor. He has done thousands of bypasses, stents, valve repairs and even heart transplants. Also, good news: I find out my overall heart health is pretty good. Eating a healthy diet and exercising has paid off along with a lifetime of statin use. Almost two months ago, he performed the valve repair on me with about 20 colleagues in the OR ( I lost count before the anesthetic took control) and it was successful. I spent five days in the hospital and am now writing this from home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Each day I take my meds and walk. Each day I am feeling a bit stronger. Each day I worry a little bit less about the pressures I feel in my chest, the palpitations, the ache from within from the healing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On the second day after my surgery, I was recovering in the cardiac ICU ward. At about 2:30 in the morning, I get a call on my cell phone from a California number that I did not recognize. When they called back an hour later, I thought I'd better answer it. It turned out to be Life Alert and they had received a signal from my 90 year old Mother and were not able to reach here. I feared the worst and essentially was right. She had fallen in her bathroom and was not able to get up and had indeed broken her leg in the process. Paramedics eventually were able to reach her after she was on the floor for probably about three to four hours and brought her to the ER. She required surgery on her leg. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am very lucky because both my daughter Jesse and her girl friend Amy as well as my Fiancé Carisa were here and were able to help with my Mother's situation. At other times, I would be involved and taking control over what I could do remotely. Under the recovery situation I was in, with fragile health and not a great deal of energy as well as the need to avoid stress, I am and was so grateful for the love and support of my family. Accidents happen at the wrong time no matter when they occur but somehow life had conspired to provide me with the help and support I needed when I was not able to do much on my own. Life always seems to be a test. How much can you handle? Being in the Cardiac ICU is not enough? How about dealing with your elderly Mother's crisis too? Just for icing on the cake, I cracked a tooth and had to see the dentist, (needed a crown), my Mother developed Covid-19 in a rehab facility, and one of my daughters decided it was time to vent some of her feelings that I was not quite ready to handle. It's a good thing I have a blood pressure cuff at home! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am getting through all of this. I am trying to practice gratitude and acceptance. I am focusing on my breathing. I am keeping the big picture in mind. I am taking life one step and one day at a time. Each day, I feel stronger. Each day I walk a little further. This year is starting off just as it was meant to be.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have not shared this news widely beyond my immediate family and friends in Canton because I am a private person by nature and because I wanted to avoid any unnecessary worrying by friends farther away. My business continues and so far 2021 is looking a lot better than last year. Although I have a large and healing scar on my chest, I am feeling pretty good in almost all respects and although I cannot lift anything heavier than 20 lbs, and have to limit my upper body use, I am doing almost everything else I could do before the surgery. For the moment, I am thankful that the sword of Damocles remains a metaphor.</span></p><p><br /></p>John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-56183071819030785842014-08-17T08:47:00.000-07:002014-08-17T09:11:36.790-07:00hall of fame parade<br />
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A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in a rather surreal process: judging the Hall of Fame (Football as this is Canton we are talking about) Parade floats. There are floats that are made by groups and Companies as well as a Hall of Fame "Queen and her Court". The day before the parade, all of the floats as well as the people who "ride" them are assembled in a large building at the Stark County Fairgrounds and each float demonstrates their presentation for the judges (there were three of us). I was asked by a few people what qualifies me to be a float judge. I honestly cannot answer that question. If being a furniture designer and an artist are my claims to fame, I suppose that is it. I did not seek this position, I assure you. The opportunity presented itself to check off an item on my bucket list that I never knew I had. The other judges were a Museum curator and a lighting/event designer. As we were being briefed in a small room on the criteria for judging the floats, which includes such categories as "enthusiasm" and "use of natural materials", we could here booming voices coming from one of the float areas. We began our judging with the "12th Man" float.<br />
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Not being much of a football fan, my memories of the sport are going to the old Soldier Field in Chicago to watch the Bears get beat by yet another team and long for a quarterback who could complement Gayle Sayers or Walter Payton. I never heard of the 12th Man. Apparently, it is a member organization. You cannot just decide that you want to wear makeup and a costume but must be accepted into the ranks of 12th mandom. They were nothing if not entertaining and enthusiastic. On a scale of 1-10 I gave them a 10+ for enthusiasm. However, the float itself had zero character, it was just a platform in the pattern of a generic AstroTurf football field to support all the singing, hooting and waving of the 12th Men and Women. This was my first clue as to how the floats themselves were considered by their makers.<br />
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posing with one of the Oakland Raider 12th Men.</div>
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The only float that had real character, utilized natural materials, looked as though it was designed (which it was) and conceived to have interesting aspects in all angles and sides, as well as a narrative theme was created by the Boy Scouts. If every float had had this kind of creativity and attention to detail, it would have been a joy to judge and examine the 12 to 13 floats. They had a sponsor who was more like a salesman telling the tale of the conception of the float with the plans, etc. but his efforts were totally unnecessary. The float was cool and spoke for itself. It was the unanimous choice as the Grand Prize winner.</div>
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Then there were a few floats that were so lacking in imagination and personal character that they seemed like a corporate heartless infomercial. Which is exactly what they were. This Ohio Lottery entry was an example. The people were nice and well meaning and even had a bit of a sense of humor. The float depicts the "biggest scratch off ticket" being dragged to the car of a presumed ticket owner. There were virtually no natural material used unless you consider a few potted plants that look like they were borrowed from the back office of the Lottery. To even consider "judging" entries like these is an insult to human creativity. I could not help thinking repeatedly about the boundless inspirational creative projects that are part of the Parade the Circle, only about 50 miles to the North in Cleveland every year. Groups of people and artists in the community gather for months to plan and execute home made but incredibly interesting creations and have a parade just to honor that creativity. If you live in North East Ohio and have never seen this event, I strongly urge you to go next year. Here is a link to more info:</div>
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<a href="http://www.clevelandart.org/events/special-events/parade-the-circle">http://www.clevelandart.org/events/special-events/parade-the-circle</a></div>
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There were a few floats that honored Veterans and Fallen or injured soldiers. There was no category on our checklist for "emotional impact" or "meaningful tribute". It was impossible to compare these solemn floats with the whooping and hollering of the 12th Man. Veterans of World War II and Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, Afghanistan and Iraq were all present, including a 95 year old Vet. Photos of young faces from Stark County graced some of the floats memorializing their ultimate sacrifice. As is typical in Canton and probably throughout most of the Country, these honorable presentations are often connected with Christianity, inadvertently perhaps, making members of other faiths feel left out. </div>
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I will never forget the experience of the judging and in no way want to make my sponsors feel that I did not appreciate the honor of being selected a judge. I also had the good fortune of being visited by my business partner, Carisa Marie during this time, so she got to accompany me on this journey. She is familiar with the Rose parade in Portland, Oregon having grown up there and they go all out with flowers on their floats. I could ask her after the event if this really just happened or did I make it up?! </div>
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The Hall of Fame parade floats are such a long way from being interesting creations that I believe the judging should be suspended until such a time that the float makers make an honest attempt to come up with creative and self made (rather than guest and professional float makers) presentations. Communities and Companies should be encouraged to plan and compete for real honest and original floats. Natural materials should be used rather than plastic. There is nothing wrong with paper maché, hand painting, etc. It could be a real testament to Canton and make the event a special moment of pride for the community. The football enshrinees and the National media present for the week might even take notice.</div>
<br />John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-19567816215383395612013-12-25T21:11:00.001-08:002013-12-25T21:11:37.458-08:00Check out this link to see how one style of CMJSCreativ chandelier shade is being made. Craftsmen Alex Petrakis assisted by K.C. Carter are at work.<br />
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This was my first iMovie. I hope to do more....John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-34040527395780445622013-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:002013-11-29T05:00:00.793-08:00BeansI like to cook. One of the "dishes" that I enjoy, and that can become a satisfying component of a meal Winter or Summer are Mexican style beans. A pot of beans tastes great, is warm and filling and is a great source of protein and fiber. When I cook beans, I don't follow an exact recipe, but several people have asked me for one, so here is an attempt to be a guide, more than anything set in stone. I make my beans vegetarian. My Father in Law doesn't believe in vegetarian beans, they must have bacon fat in them he says. (And his ancestry is Mexican). But I have found preparing the beans the following way has won him and many others over to the fact that you don't have to use meat in the beans. Cooking beans is forgiving, and many of the ingredients can go into the pot early so that it is also an easy dish to prepare. The key is having access to a Mexican grocer for some essential ingredients.<br />
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So here it goes:<br />
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I like to use pinto beans, but have also mixed in Northern White. You start with a bag (about a pound- all measurements are approximate) of the dried beans. The first essential step is to very carefully clean and sort the beans. I do this on a big wooden breakfast table, sitting down so that I can look closely at the beans. The goal is to keep all the whole good looking beans and to throw aside broken beans, mis-shaped and mis-colored beans and also most importantly little stones that make their way through the machinery process at the factory. Once you have a pile of all the good beans, which should be about 95% of what you started with or more, put those in a large pot and cover with cool water, at least an inch or so over the top of the beans. Cover and let sit overnight.<br />
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The next morning, drain and rinse the beans in a colander. Set aside. Take a large stock pot and heat over medium heat and add a generous amount of olive oil. The oil is going to take the place of the bacon fat so don't worry about using too much. Sauté garlic in the olive oil. I use about a half dozen good size cloves, minced. Don't burn the garlic. You can also sauté an onion at this time. When the onion is clearish, add the beans and cover with cool clean water.<br />
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Now you need to add a few things. First of all about 3-4 sprigs of Epazoté. This is a Mexican herb that adds flavor and also is helpful in reducing the flatulent aspect of the beans. I add at this time about 6 bay leaves, either fresh or dried, and 1 or 2 dried chile peppers such as chipotle. Also going in, you can either buy a prepared pinto bean seasoning mix or add a tablespoon of several spices to your taste. To me essential ones are cumin and black pepper, and also Mexican or domestic oregeno. You can also add chili powder of your choice and if you wish one or two fresh poblano or jalapeño chilis which you have roasted and skinned, seeded and veined then chopped finely. This whole mixture is brought to a low boil and immediately stirred and put on a very low simmer, covered (essential) and left to cook for about 2 hours or so. Check every once in while to make sure there is enough liquid so the beans don't burn, stir from the bottom. Taste to make sure the beans are cooked to a tender consistency but not mushy, remove the bay leaves, and salt to taste. Voila!<br />
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The great thing is that the leftovers can become tomorrow's "refritos" or refried beans, which you can heat in a cast iron skillet and serve with eggs for breakfast or a side dish for dinner. Good corn tortillas are a wonderful way to enjoy the beans with rice and sour cream or cheese and a vegetable side dish. Of course they also go great with chicken and beef and so I have heard pork. Let me know how it turns out.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-14963860204974140322013-11-12T18:58:00.000-08:002013-11-12T19:01:11.623-08:00<span style="font-size: large;"> Lavender</span><br />
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This October at the High Point Furniture Market, I gave out little vials of lavender infused sesame oil. To back up to the Summer, this is how I made it. First start with blooms of fresh lavender;</div>
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Blooms of fresh lavender. I once saw fields of lavender in Southern France and fell in love with the plant. The smell makes me feel good.</div>
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I rinsed the lavender flowers and stems so not to accidentally infuse any fauna, and let the flowers drain on paper towels.<br />
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The next step was to pull all the blooms off the stems and collect that into a couple of piles. I then had two bottles of organic sesame oil at the ready. I first heated the oil but did not let it boil, as you don't want it to burn at all and smell toasty. If you heat the oil and let it cool, it seems to absorb better into the skin when its used as a massage oil. Let it cool a bit and pour back into the bottles, leaving room for the blooms.<br />
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I then stuffed the blooms into the two bottles and let them sit in a dark pantry for two weeks. It was pretty intense and interesting looking stuff. The smell of lavender is soothing and calming and when added to a massage oil becomes an aromatherapeutic process. In small amounts it can be rubbed onto the temples to alleviate a head ache and I have used it to good effect for reducing skin irritations.<br />
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If you want a small sample, I have 5 ml bottles available in my store, Elemental Arts or you can order some by calling my business John Strauss Furniture Design, Ltd in Canton, OH or emailing me John at Straussfurniture dot com. They are 5 bucks plus shipping. I look forward to hearing from you.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-76096506541905076942013-09-29T19:33:00.001-07:002013-09-29T19:33:45.261-07:00Since I wrote extensively about my friend Scott Morgan (see earlier posts <a href="http://johnstraussfurnituredesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/scott-morgan.html"><span id="goog_762200762"></span>here<span id="goog_762200763"></span></a>) I need to say that Scott passed away peacefully in Goa, India on September 11, 2013. His American doctors had given him 2-4 months to live and he lived 11 months. Credit good fortune, genes, fate or more likely a combination of his determination, sheer will power, and most importantly making every day count and finding something to be happy about. In Scott's case, his partner Katy and his art provided almost everything he needed. For Katy's incredible recounting of the last eleven months' "adventure" please visit her blog <a href="http://goingtogoa.wordpress.com/">Going to Goa</a>. Katy is a real life hero. Out of her devoted love of Scott she was the one who made his last year possible in so many ways. She did things that most people could never face doing, and she did it with style and without complaint. When you next see a butterfly, think of Scott and think of his love for Katy. Carry that message of love with you.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-55680679495641662812013-09-23T05:06:00.002-07:002013-09-23T05:06:54.185-07:00bending wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the factories in Amish country that fascinates me every time I enter it is a steam bending plant. I love the smells, the moisture, the heat and of course seeing wood being treated like it was a wet noodle. I get several parts here for my designs. The bases for the Sheridan Rd. collection are steam bent. Some of the chair backs are as well as the new sculptural accessories for CMJSCreativ. The technology is 19th century steam tanks and hydraulic machinery. Take a look below:</div>
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<br />John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-72663320322898193222013-09-20T08:49:00.000-07:002013-09-20T08:49:22.894-07:00Recently I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot in a wonderful Art Deco era hotel that was apparently built by one of the "Little Chicago" mobsters that called Canton, Ohio home in the 1920's and 30's. I am not sure how long the hotel has been vacant (at least the 18 years I have lived here) but it is undergoing a wonderful restoration by a local developer out of his own pocket as the banks are loathe to lend at the moment. Here are a few pieces that will debut in High Point next month at the Furniture Market.<br />
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My "Gable" chair in a lime mohair as seen in the side stairwell with incredibly beautiful brass railings.<br />
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And the same chair as seen in the mezzanine where the other pieces were shot.<br />
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My new Lake Shore Dining table<br />
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The new Lake Shore 24" side table. Walnut, lacquer front and blackened steel base.<br />
<br />
Colors and materials were selected with Seattle designer Carisa Marie's guidance and all photos are by Jim Celuch of Celuch Creative.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-37568207553467684772013-09-18T20:27:00.000-07:002013-09-18T20:27:04.172-07:00CMJSCreativ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These shots show the making of a mobile/sculpture accessory. One of the first ventures by John with Carisa Marie in their company CMJSCreativ. Carisa is a interior designer from Seattle, and this was her dream to combine these forms with what John has sourced and discovered was possible with steam bending wood. The wood is 1" diameter maple, that was steam bent in an Amish factory. John has done the rest. see the sequence for an idea of how this piece is going to come together. The final piece will be debuting in High Point, during the October Market. It combines the steam bent wood with blacksmithed iron work (from Forged Accents) and blown glass (from Alex Petrakis).<br />
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<br /><br />John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-16469643969039679732013-03-12T18:20:00.004-07:002013-03-12T18:21:45.622-07:00Scott part 4I have written 3 blog posts so far about my friend Scott Morgan. But there has to be more. This part 4 comes direct from an email I just received from him. It is so poignant and touching and honest that I feel compelled to share it verbatim, without correcting his eccentric typographical style. Here it is:<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
It was. five. months ago. today....</div>
<div class="p1">
i was sitting in the hospital room after a biopsy,colonoscopy,etc </div>
<div class="p1">
that my. surgeon wthree other doctors. came into. my room</div>
<div class="p1">
in my groggy state ,i sat up. and said hello</div>
<div class="p1">
she. the surgeon,then asked. me ? do i kow. my name,where was I,did i know. what operations were done. few. hours earlier,was I aware of. what hospial I was in whats my oncologist name</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
i replied,got. an a on the test. and. she leaned. in</div>
<div class="p1">
close. and said</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
your. cancer is back.............ok,I said</div>
<div class="p1">
she then proceeded. to explain it was outside. my. stomach,spreading. fast</div>
<div class="p1">
uncontainable ,unoperable,any more treatment. was fruitless,no. chemo or operation was going. to help. in future,that. I. had. two maybe. four. months. to. live</div>
<div class="p1">
and. to. go. home</div>
<div class="p1">
make. my. plans. on whats. next,and it was way past stage. four.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
to. say the least. i was speechless. and. sat ataring. at. the four. of them in silence</div>
<div class="p1">
I said. ok. thanks,and. asked. when i could leave. unc. chapel n.c. and. head. back. home. to. tell</div>
<div class="p1">
katy.</div>
<div class="p1">
four. five. hours. later. i was. dressed and out. door,at. the exit, i knew i was. going to India</div>
<div class="p1">
to remain. for. the. time. I was. told had. left. to live.</div>
<div class="p1">
made appts. the next week w surgeon. and oncologist of last four years</div>
<div class="p1">
and was picked up. soon driven home.........</div>
<div class="p1">
two weeks later was onindian. soil in new delhi nov 2</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
its. now. five months. later.</div>
<div class="p1">
my stomach. is flat,the expansion of fluids was drained two mo. ago</div>
<div class="p1">
22-1/2 pounds lighter,</div>
<div class="p1">
and. my pain. management changed. from methadone,to patches on my shoulder </div>
<div class="p1">
that send morphine like drugs,fifty x stronnger,</div>
<div class="p1">
into my. body 24/7</div>
<div class="p1">
changed every 72 hours </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
i am walking. getting out daily. by wheelchair. seeing. the ocean. smiling at every ,person i see</div>
<div class="p1">
jovial,happy. and. seeing. doctors weekly in my hotel room,all are amazed at. my good spirit. health,blood pressure,happy go lucky. good vibes,was bedridden. not. to walk ever </div>
<div class="p1">
again and losing. pounds. fast ,until. now,</div>
<div class="p1">
feeling. good. have. eating. plumbing. problems,daily,but. out of. pain</div>
<div class="p1">
see the sun come up n go down. </div>
<div class="p1">
glad. to be here in goa. india. and. not. a bed in a hospital with. tubes n chemo and nurses all</div>
<div class="p1">
over surrounded by sick people ,</div>
<div class="p1">
have. made. a choice to be in a place where. i. can control. my. destiny my future. and. </div>
<div class="p1">
will know when time. is up.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
so</div>
<div class="p1">
you only live once</div>
<div class="p1">
make. time. to. stop. your. busy. life and. remember. every. day. whats important</div>
<div class="p1">
in the end. you are alone,but. </div>
<div class="p1">
spend time with. your family. and friends. and. do the. things you always wanted</div>
<div class="p1">
go. to the places. you have dreamed about. to visit. stay focused on</div>
<div class="p1">
whats. the most. important. things. in. your. life</div>
<div class="p1">
i. am 62 yrs old,had wondeful life full of. love. travel seeing. the. art of the world. </div>
<div class="p1">
am with the most loving amazing woman caring woman on the planet</div>
<div class="p1">
and happy. .camper.</div>
<div class="p1">
sending. love. and thanks. to all I have known. thruout my life</div>
<div class="p1">
its all about. family n freinds in the end</div>
<div class="p1">
enjoy. your. stay on this crowded planet. make time. to smell the roses</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
its. my. five month anniversary</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
wow. this has been some. journey</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
love. n hugz to all</div>
<div class="p1">
scott david morgan</div>
John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-60864138922981006642013-03-03T18:29:00.001-08:002013-03-03T18:29:36.110-08:00For the Twitter Skeptics
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I’ve been on Twitter since 2009, and from the start have
been frequently questioned skeptically about its relevance to my business. I
was skeptical too, for about three days when I started myself. I left the
initial set up of my account and the first few tweets to my assistant. She
found designers and followed about twenty of them. After a few days I think we
had about double that number following me and that meant sudden exposure to
forty or so designers I did not already know. With no marketing expense I had
accomplished a great first step in spreading the word about my products and
services to new contacts all over the Country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYFrH_ISzM41O1M4sWcc1ERk7i3Ip2fQwWfb0O9YojZwbusGPDpdeEwvMcdtRo9vUoZEtoV-HqA4JBRWIcgFPUzqf9mkgwqaftesGtkjFilleqI53E9rluQsH_27mUHCygF08lyPaaA0/s1600/IMG_9259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYFrH_ISzM41O1M4sWcc1ERk7i3Ip2fQwWfb0O9YojZwbusGPDpdeEwvMcdtRo9vUoZEtoV-HqA4JBRWIcgFPUzqf9mkgwqaftesGtkjFilleqI53E9rluQsH_27mUHCygF08lyPaaA0/s320/IMG_9259.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have always looked at tools as just that – a device that
can help you. Granted, there are only so many ways to use a shovel, but there
are many more ways to use Twitter, and I’m sure that I don’t know many of them.
At High Point in 2010 I had a Twitter based contest called “Tweet for a Table.”
The Market Authority Director came and helped kick off the contest. We had
people tweeting from all over the Country their entries and introduced many new
people to Twitter through the live stream of tweets we had in our showroom. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhf5NTFrei-enfx6mYeieLN5DTmgwDyrfXWoBtxyE38YB_vEoK5qUJMbsThCondppbY7bHsr8Qtxa4d60H7P-aFSR5roWFowZWyLX1JeGGzAOdEQ2V2cc08m2q5gnebevdNnNsaLFg0k/s1600/IMG_9262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhf5NTFrei-enfx6mYeieLN5DTmgwDyrfXWoBtxyE38YB_vEoK5qUJMbsThCondppbY7bHsr8Qtxa4d60H7P-aFSR5roWFowZWyLX1JeGGzAOdEQ2V2cc08m2q5gnebevdNnNsaLFg0k/s320/IMG_9262.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In
subsequent shows we did a few “tweet ups” including one with twitter cupcakes
for the attendees. Artisan North Carolina home made cupcakes with the Twitter
bird on a branch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMccWK716EwZeDzKZ5DlfFwipT1MWr3hyphenhyphenuutDht6BOt9SvsLtv_P8qJuk41Wk-He2QrgEJrTu7-n1_CzAnLSi1_oC0_SEtY4KM2UxdlmLES2wy9IS2_UyzDmlkZ_m22qdfNB56xZwss1Y/s1600/IMG_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMccWK716EwZeDzKZ5DlfFwipT1MWr3hyphenhyphenuutDht6BOt9SvsLtv_P8qJuk41Wk-He2QrgEJrTu7-n1_CzAnLSi1_oC0_SEtY4KM2UxdlmLES2wy9IS2_UyzDmlkZ_m22qdfNB56xZwss1Y/s320/IMG_0884.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So far, having an all - Twitter crew of suppliers (@meredithheron and @ziapriven) a designer (@carisamarie11) and the central furniture maker (@johnstrauss) has built up a great deal of interest in our upcoming April High Point Market show. (Suites at Market Square, Salon G-7013) I have been amazed and delighted by the conversation so far. I look forward to it continuing in North Carolina, meeting many new people I have encountered so far only online, and seeing familiar faces that I have had the pleasure of meeting face to face already.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Through Twitter, I have met @KathyIreland and one day may work with her, have established a relationship with @TLSByDesign as an upholstery house, have met new clients with real paying jobs, and have quoted for and have consulted with many others. This is one virtual community that has crossed over and become a real part of my world. Still skeptical? </div>
<!--EndFragment-->John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-38647123612823181432013-02-16T13:49:00.000-08:002013-02-16T13:49:13.192-08:00Amish Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
parallel parking</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEYODuqOnL5rYIyljWiTMgmVDjSrixoZSLqw7lWUAkpio8PWKGFaHfsS9RP9M94GwuqqprJ_7o3276EDZ3cL8VKGk8iPcA2mX1Nw-EwoD1T6sAi5lhpiww0ahFHwyQKRDu1OENoJyX1M/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEYODuqOnL5rYIyljWiTMgmVDjSrixoZSLqw7lWUAkpio8PWKGFaHfsS9RP9M94GwuqqprJ_7o3276EDZ3cL8VKGk8iPcA2mX1Nw-EwoD1T6sAi5lhpiww0ahFHwyQKRDu1OENoJyX1M/s320/IMG_2047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Part of the pleasure of being located in North East Ohio, is being adjacent to the Amish Community nearby. My business has developed a need to visit this area at least once a week and the landscape is always changing.<br />
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down a chairmaker's driveway</div>
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buggy for pleasure riding and commuting</div>
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During the growing season, every week, different vegetables and fruits are available at roadside stands. During the Winter, occasional snows transform the landscape.<br />
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It has become a joy for me to discover something different every time I visit the region. I have also gotten to know several of the business people that I do business with and have shared my knowledge of Judaism with them while I have learned about their faith.<br />
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There are many different varieties of beliefs in the Amish, which is divided into different "orders". Each order is led by a lay person who has drawn a "lot" to become the local prayer leader. Most of the orders do not permit their faces to be photographed. So, I have focused on the lush landscape and also have documented many factories.<br />
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I plan on sharing some of the factory shots in my next post.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-78988407170329182742013-02-09T21:54:00.000-08:002013-02-09T21:54:11.015-08:00April in High Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am excited about the many things that Twitter has brought into my life and business. One recent fortuitous turn of events has come about in relation to my next Market in High Point. I approached Carisa Bell, a Seattle designer who has not previously participated in High Point about the possibility of helping to design my showroom this market. She and I "met" on Twitter where she is @carisamarie11. I liked her design sense, her fresh take on urban decor and her interest in repurposing and recycled and "green" materials. It turns out that she also admired my furniture designs and thus a conversation was started. I was pleased to hear that she was not only willing to do the work but was enthusiastic about the project. In discussing needs we had for lighting and floor treatments, we first began to think about companies we knew, either in her business or that I had met in High Point. But, it occurred to us both that it made much more sense to approach people we knew on Twitter that have great products in those categories. That led us to very appreciative support from Zia Priven Lighting (@ziapriven) and also from Meredith Heron Design's (@meredithheron) new rug/hide line. High Point will be her debut. I am thrilled to be working with this group, and we will be featuring photos of the project as it comes together. Stay tuned and be sure to visit us in Salon, G-7013 in the Suites at Market Square building this Market.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-65050990501088656862013-01-30T18:13:00.000-08:002013-01-30T18:13:15.380-08:00Scott Morgan part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sure I could keep going on about Scott for several long additional posts but I will try to keep this one concise and to the point, and the last in a series of 3 posts. Scott had battled an intestinal cancer for the first time soon after we met, seemed over it and then it returned right before the last October High Point Market. When the doctors told him the battle was over and it would be essentially a matter of months, he made two key decisions: 1) He wanted to have a big party in High Point while all of his friends in the industry were present in town and 2) afterwards, he wanted to travel to India to live out his days, weeks or months with Katy.<br />
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That is what we did with him in High Point and that is what he did after. He is now in Goa, India. Its a resort town in the South of the Country that attracts Germans, Russians, and assorted World travelers from all over. He met one of the sons of Bob Marley in a hotel there. Its warm (or hot) and he has medical care. Katy has been doing an amazing and heroic job of supporting him every step of the way.<br />
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myself, Louis Lara and Eric Bauer</div>
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At the party, Scott told jokes, gave out some of his favorite ties from his tie collection, ate some food, did pet tricks with the dogs and generally took in the glow of so many friends from over the years. Most have know Scott longer than I have. If you were there, and you know who you are, thanks for showing your support. If you have emailed, called or visited Scott while he is India, you have done a good thing. Keep him in your thoughts. He will always be in mine. If you read this, send him some love.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-58961964704107616032013-01-27T19:21:00.001-08:002013-01-27T19:21:23.792-08:00Scott Morgan Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">My previous post talked about how Scott and I met and got started on our business adventure in the furniture industry. I have only known Scott for about five or so years although it feels like we have been friends our whole lives. But I wanted to talk about a few other aspects of Scott's life and mind and character and interests here. One aspect of Scott's life has been a blossoming in the last few years of his watercolor paintings. I'm not sure when he started doing these, but they have really come on in numbers and artistic quality in the last two or three years. As mentioned previously, he is also a "jazz singer" of sorts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">One of the amazing aspects of visiting Scott in his home is that he has a most amazing collection of Chinese textiles and artifacts from his many visits over the years doing business in China. He became a connoisseur of Chinese crafts, history, and art. Scott took real pleasure in sharing his treasures with visitors, but only if he felt that he could trust the visitor and that the visitor would truly appreciate what was being shown. Trunks and drawers would be opened to pull out centuries old delicacies of sewing, embroidery and other skills. He also had like many collectors, tangential collections of items like carved nuts and brass coins, and gold embroidery. He also had a couple of shaman necklaces. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">One evening after a day in the showroom at High Point, Doug Miller, Richard Hawk, Candra Squire and I and a few others gathered in Scott's living room and he started pulling items out of a trunk to show us. One of those items was the shaman's necklace. We stood in a circle and watched as first Rich was handling it. Scott said that this necklace has "some powerful mojo" and we all basically said "sure" cynically. A moment later, Rich started practically howling about what he was feeling. Now Rich is a great guy, but he does have a bit of the Southern California spirit in him so we all reacted rather skeptically to him as well. I asked for the necklace. I am not a believer in crystals, new age spirituality or ghosts. So I was ready for - nothing. Instead, this necklace which contained teeth, coins, crystals, hair, and other assorted trinkets pulsated with an electricity that traveled up and down my arm. I immediately gave it back. It was not necessarily a good feeling and seemed ominous, but there is no doubt that it did occur. This was just one of the items hiding, laying, waiting for the next opportunity for someone to discover it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Another thing to know about Scott is that he loves ping pong. He bought an expensive German ping pong table and created a room down in his basement that is a bit of a ping pong shrine. Although an amateur ( I'm sure there are pros out there somewhere ) he is quite good. When it comes to competition, he turns it up a notch. I'm not bad, but in the dozens of games we played, I never beat him once. He has a paddle collection, so that anyone can come and play and select their favorite paddle and never use the lack of a comfortable paddle as an excuse if they were to lose. He also had a page of ping pong rules posted on the wall. He also owned a ping pong ball machine similar to a tennis feeding machine. This was not your High School party in the basement ping pong that I had grown up with. However, my tennis skills allowed me to keep the games close enough to be competitive. They were always great opportunities to talk about a range of topics. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">There is so much to talk about in relation to Scott. He loves his dogs Loulie and Hershey. Loulie 1 and her successor Loulie 2 were extremely well trained intelligent companions that transcended being pets. He supported Katy and her art making and business ventures. He did not suffer fools gladly. He loves art and collecting. He is not caught up in what other people think of him. He is a natural salesman. He knows the furniture industry inside and out, could look at a piece and understand how it was made (even though he is not a craftsman), would know how much it cost to make and would understand how it should be marketed. And he loves talking about it. He is critical of bad design, encouraging of his friends and good design and loves people that are smart and have something to offer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Last story in this post from an email that Scott sent out:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"of these beads, history.....<br />1968<br />in a park in new delhi. india.......<br />a man very old 80/90 years old, in orange comes up to me. scotto<br />no words, no reason. takes off the beads, puts them around my neck, smiles walks on very slow into the park never to be seen by me again<br /><br />these i have always had.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cherished kept safe and the day before our journey to Goa</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">put on ...with original string. by now very threadbare .when i put them on my neck string broke. i screamed. oh no!<br />all the beads hit floor in High Point. NC. home<br />scattered. i picked them up put in a baggie and said maybe i will re string these in India in Goa after we arrive.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then I will give them to someone</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />same as was given to me." - SM</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">more to come in the next post....</span></span></div>
John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-33925180664842666842013-01-26T12:59:00.001-08:002013-09-29T18:58:58.982-07:00Scott Morgan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAurnl-1A_Zio52dcilIx5yJB7w95evLM8wh8O45ZOHGrXKIG6oK2txS2wkxFpL5i7opm5jJKpHkMtTkl21AQboMfSXVTpHccxXR7vtEwWTuvJq5aoaLBUvbUfUq0YqWo0rxDUeV4od0/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAurnl-1A_Zio52dcilIx5yJB7w95evLM8wh8O45ZOHGrXKIG6oK2txS2wkxFpL5i7opm5jJKpHkMtTkl21AQboMfSXVTpHccxXR7vtEwWTuvJq5aoaLBUvbUfUq0YqWo0rxDUeV4od0/s320/IMG_0414.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Scott Morgan</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I first met Scott about five years ago when I was showing at my first Las Vegas Market show. His Sister Lindy stopped by my booth and after chatting for a little while, we started making connections. We were both from the same North Chicago suburb. Our Fathers were in the furniture business. We have a unique perspective on life that probably shows in our demeanor. She said, "You have to meet my Brother!" He came by and we talked for probably an hour and haven't stopped since. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It turns out that our Fathers were not only in the business but did business with each other in Chicago. It also turns out that we had a immediate sense of bonding with each other. Scott had been a consultant in the industry as well as a salesman for his Family's Ello Furniture business before they sold it, and through his experiences, it seems that he practically knows everyone in the industry. We became friends and I got to know him through spending time with him and his partner Katy Algeyer while in North Carolina at the High Point Markets. I stayed at his house. We played ping pong. Most importantly, he took me around the Market and introduced me to people in the Industry that he admired and had worked with. Together we came up with the concept of bringing back furniture manufacturing business to the US.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Many a dinner was spent discussing the plan, some of it at his favorite Thai restaurant in High Point, where he could get up from the table and sing some "scat" or spontaneous lyrics to the jazz music that was being played. Our conversations were timely, because even though at that point the Marketplace was not fully ready for the concept, manufacturers were open to considering it. They had been having issues of quality, shipping time, exchange rate uncertainty, etc and wanted a back up plan. Many of these companies were the same ones that Scott had taken to China on his many business visits there over the last 20 years. Now it was time to work on returning. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Scott is always thinking of ideas. They seem to come to him in torrents. He had suggestion after suggestion for me. We talked constantly about this new venture. I had experience with working with the Amish community in Ohio through manufacture of my designs in their factories. I have learned a little about their culture and have met several great business people there, some very forward looking. We learned how this could benefit all of us. For the last two years, I have been devoting a great deal of time to developing this business plan. Scott has been there with me every step of the way. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Scott is in India now. He is there to spend the remaining days of his too short life with Katy and several friends who have visited him there. Katy has created a blog about their adventure called <a href="http://goingtogoa.wordpress.com/">going to goa</a> . You can catch up with what is happening there. Goa, India is an international resort community in the South of India. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> I will talk more about Scott in my next post.</span></div>
John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-19416632902292144122013-01-24T06:51:00.002-08:002013-01-24T06:51:50.837-08:00Amish story of repairing the World<br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="background-color: black; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="color: white;">Ok - It has been two years, I see, since my last blog post. I am going to try to keep this a little more up to date with different kinds of thoughts. If I have a New Years resolution, which I generally never make, it will be to post regularly here.</span></span></h5>
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<span style="background-color: black; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="color: white;">I have spent a good part of the last two years meeting and getting to know Amish furniture makers nearby to my shop in Ohio. I have had many designs of mine and others produced in Amish factories. Today, to get the blog rolling again, I want to relay a story I heard yesterday that I hope will touch you as it did me.</span></span></h5>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="background-color: black; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="color: white;"> I met with an Amish business owner yesterday. He apologized for not getting back to me sooner on a business matter that I had discussed with him late last week. But he said he had been a little bit distracted by some of life's more important issues. He had just attended a funeral of a 33 year old mother of 6 children. She complained of a headache last Wednesday and died two days later. No one is sure what the cause was. It is a tragedy to leave behind a 4 month old, 2 and 4 year olds and three early or pre-teens. Her whole family loves animals and her husband had mentioned a "dream barn" to this business owner. So the business owner made a decision. He pulled off a fundraiser of $50,000 in 48 hours and intends to have the "dream barn" built as an addition to his neighbor's existing barn within the next 30 days. In Judaism, the first 30 days after someone's passing are called sheloshim. They are recognized as a holy and private special time period of mourning. This is an amazing Amish turn of the same intense mourning period's treatment. However sad this woman's passing leaves you, there is an abundance of potential good in the World. Much of it is in Holmes County, Ohio.</span></span></h5>
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John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-40250078129146767022011-01-24T11:04:00.000-08:002011-01-24T11:06:16.004-08:00This is how you know the trees are celebrating.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCIKDVN2R3sOKpmb2skfrrd25X3rophnWYHhLTEcxrONE42dU569LD9B6e4unaIbmX5kMptwXbyghVP_otpEWVSHZejFhMm-X24Ru4JgUEYyGPK3TlLmLOhccFpQyXl5e7eNpK5rdPOM/s1600/163216_1687491900602_1036801965_1795773_551136_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCIKDVN2R3sOKpmb2skfrrd25X3rophnWYHhLTEcxrONE42dU569LD9B6e4unaIbmX5kMptwXbyghVP_otpEWVSHZejFhMm-X24Ru4JgUEYyGPK3TlLmLOhccFpQyXl5e7eNpK5rdPOM/s320/163216_1687491900602_1036801965_1795773_551136_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565830753993479522" border="0" /></a><br />When the almond trees bloom it is the birthday of the trees in Israel. Here is one with snow in the Golan.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-69958570435304428702011-01-23T19:17:00.001-08:002011-01-24T05:48:09.627-08:00Birthday of the treesSome reflections on the trees' birthday:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYTrbDql2fzlReIc5TqmwhKscHUIh31rYXd5dej0mIpoaxUTNOLbm0pO3Z77Ypb_46gRbSrQWgzzmSjSRBnhumwWwJEU7ZMPExP8Xe61Z1DYUePQliJaJQ53hqC69L_ZztrCBqPJAsQA/s1600/carob_tree-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYTrbDql2fzlReIc5TqmwhKscHUIh31rYXd5dej0mIpoaxUTNOLbm0pO3Z77Ypb_46gRbSrQWgzzmSjSRBnhumwWwJEU7ZMPExP8Xe61Z1DYUePQliJaJQ53hqC69L_ZztrCBqPJAsQA/s320/carob_tree-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565592057085118162" border="0" /></a><br />carob tree<br /><br />I have been kind of busy lately. Noteworthy that my last blog post was in October of 2010. Interesting that that post talked about the Jewish Fall Harvest Festival of Sukkot. Noteworthy because I want to add a little post about another Jewish Holiday that just passed called Tu B'shevat. Or the 15h of the month of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. This year it was January 20. Both holidays center on nature. The Jewish calendar is full of holidays and cycles. And Judaism celebrates several "new years". There is Rosh Hashana - the birthday of the Universe. There is Pesach which is like the birth of life and freedom. Tu b'Shevat celebrates our relationship to trees and what they produce. It is a day to mark the aging of the trees we plant for fruit and nuts. The holiday calls us to bring forth fifteen different species and types of fruit from trees. On Sukkot, there are four species that are necessary to the celebration of that holiday. The Israeli rainy season begins with Sukkot and ends around Tu b'Shevat. Most importantly to me, it seems that a woodworker ought to pay respect to the source of his material!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ36GLy9cFNQ-LkmWGbRQvqKdGvhxV4gkJlOhNmIrb5Q8bkLJgdj_2pcTFCyWitfsSP0MkK1-lzRP0-Cm65C4Jqx2EYSNA7yhsHNmD1iH9F0CEBATJMkB3wg-f38JHDWR3lTRm1tS7eA/s1600/oliveFruit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ36GLy9cFNQ-LkmWGbRQvqKdGvhxV4gkJlOhNmIrb5Q8bkLJgdj_2pcTFCyWitfsSP0MkK1-lzRP0-Cm65C4Jqx2EYSNA7yhsHNmD1iH9F0CEBATJMkB3wg-f38JHDWR3lTRm1tS7eA/s320/oliveFruit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565592575203367010" border="0" /></a>olives<br /><br /><br />Here is a brief explanation from Chabad.org:<br /><p><i>"Tu B’Shevat</i>, the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar is the day that marks the beginning of a “New Year for Trees.” This is the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of <span class="glossary_item">Israel</span> emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGfr-lpj0B4HG8ZpH2Uj0oFkRSRYznB-MrZiVsEL4Wo4cNcMTJf-Hl90Wck7dXFLyh_tohQ8k7Yv8RdIzaSTyHSy_-_AqQFpBoAm0sOUjxhMSTfD8Fnp81eUATU4hfkwxC6ALKjAnYMo/s1600/figs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGfr-lpj0B4HG8ZpH2Uj0oFkRSRYznB-MrZiVsEL4Wo4cNcMTJf-Hl90Wck7dXFLyh_tohQ8k7Yv8RdIzaSTyHSy_-_AqQFpBoAm0sOUjxhMSTfD8Fnp81eUATU4hfkwxC6ALKjAnYMo/s320/figs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565592569593139954" border="0" /></a></p><p>figs<br /></p> <p>Legally, the “New Year for Trees” relates to the various tithes that are separated from produce grown in the Holy Land. (Tu B'Shevat is the new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. See Lev. 19:23-25, which states that fruit from trees may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year's fruit is for <a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/defs/g-d.htm">G-d</a>, and after that, you can eat the fruit. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B'Shevat, so if you planted a tree on Shevat 14, it begins its second year the next day, but if you plant a tree two days later, on Shevat 16, it does not reach its second year until the next Tu B'Shevat.)"<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vDNbG4QlIk5q2QIUqzigV_tTXeNKaeVVSFDKL9cCxlELAcapryH8JIH1ma6TmY9PSpB_U7e7811ftniuEkbUpvSXHA-qaMDWuGpYCa7U18qmsc2guBFZKynVR-r4UDVCZLXbd-I1qyU/s1600/Dates-tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vDNbG4QlIk5q2QIUqzigV_tTXeNKaeVVSFDKL9cCxlELAcapryH8JIH1ma6TmY9PSpB_U7e7811ftniuEkbUpvSXHA-qaMDWuGpYCa7U18qmsc2guBFZKynVR-r4UDVCZLXbd-I1qyU/s320/Dates-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565592334421157122" border="0" /></a></p><p>dates<br /></p> <p>For me, the awareness that I have learned in Judaism of a respect for Nature was a revelation. Sukkot is like Earth Day and Tu B'Shevat is like an arbor day. Yet these are not modern inventions, but date back thousands of years. The sabbatical year of letting the land rest (every 7 years) and the mandate to give a portion of one's produce to the needy are other aspects of Judaism's relationship to nature and to fellow people that have moved me.<br /></p><p>For several years when my children were of pre-school age, I would visit their school on Tu B'Shevat and talk to the children about trees and what they produce. I would bring a can of cherries, a bottle of maple syrup and a bag of walnuts. Then I would show them maple, cherry, and walnut wood scraps from my shop. After the brief "lecture" I would turn them loose with a pile of wood scraps, some plywood squares and lots of glue. They had a blast.</p><p>For me, Tu B'Shevat is a reminder of intentionality. We can become better people if we think before we act. Thinking about the source of my raw material before I joint, plane, cut and glue it up reminds me not to take Nature for granted and to be thankful. Do you have any Holiday or ritual to do so?<br /></p><table dir="ltr" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><br /></td></tr><tr><td dir="ltr" valign="top" width="100%"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-91744730665103954652010-10-02T07:31:00.000-07:002010-10-02T07:37:32.095-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyH5NuUbR1Gh9F6qBoq62VFchCy_NDpumeTgrGrQ-37-QGOz2_5AMfKBYg_7FW6jbhzawnPm2n6pr9NEKaOweJXtpbOEgRqSxDsBu2FwmxyahSnx0id_LMslBGUBguvmP7EywXWkg8OY/s1600/sukkah+final.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyH5NuUbR1Gh9F6qBoq62VFchCy_NDpumeTgrGrQ-37-QGOz2_5AMfKBYg_7FW6jbhzawnPm2n6pr9NEKaOweJXtpbOEgRqSxDsBu2FwmxyahSnx0id_LMslBGUBguvmP7EywXWkg8OY/s320/sukkah+final.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523456667331292802" border="0" /></a>Well this is what the decorated sukkah looked like after a week of using it, rain and weather, etc. We enjoyed some warm nights, the beginning of fall weather, guests from Israel and Alliance, Ohio among others. I can't imagine why more Jews don't erect one and soak in what is to me the most enjoyable of all holidays. A chance to sit outside and enjoy nature, to consider our humble state as temporary residents of the planet and consider what we can do to become better people. All while drinking wine and eating with friends <span style="font-style: italic;">au plein air!</span>John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-51437359629934327492010-09-21T18:49:00.000-07:002010-09-21T19:07:28.553-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3Skbm9qXLX0-OoM_LBeEcMWDDrBZodwllgHEDMv5BaahmFHB4TcQpjqTLxrgQkpcaF3Lu8-aBeO2-ONbwUoDjzgfhD9G5Zxw7i4_9wZvtvp79Q5ezcvf3ZN_lunXL7BkRHuqdlnlC-Q/s1600/sukkah+bare+2010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3Skbm9qXLX0-OoM_LBeEcMWDDrBZodwllgHEDMv5BaahmFHB4TcQpjqTLxrgQkpcaF3Lu8-aBeO2-ONbwUoDjzgfhD9G5Zxw7i4_9wZvtvp79Q5ezcvf3ZN_lunXL7BkRHuqdlnlC-Q/s320/sukkah+bare+2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519549678409716674" border="0" /></a><br />OK - so here is how ours starts each year. I have built this one out of ceder and coated it in an exterior wood stain. There are no metal fasteners, just through tenons and doweled wedges. I will show you a detail shot tomorrow.<br /><br />Each piece can be disassembled and all are labeled. The rest of the year it gets stored in the garage.<br /><br />What is to be read in the sukkah? One time honored choice is "Ecclesiastes" or in the Hebrew "Ḳohelet" - The origin of the expression, "to everything there is a season" is from that book, thought to have been written by Solomon.<br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><span><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=26&letter=E#ixzz10DhJVgx6"></a></span></div></div>John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-31145914163670252402010-09-20T19:02:00.000-07:002010-09-20T19:30:59.811-07:00well...I know its been a busy summer and I am preparing for High Point and also for a new Home store called "Elemental Arts" that I am opening in downtown Canton, but I did just notice that it has been some time since my last post!<br /><br />The Jewish New Year and holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are behind me so it is a good time to begin anew. And what would a Jewish Carpenter be thinking about right now? The holiday of sukkot which starts in a few days with the full moon and is one of the more colorful and purely fun of all the holidays. AND because it takes place outside in a "booth" or hut (meaning of sukkah) and because a sukkah is made of wood, I have some ideas to share about its construction. In the next few days I will post pictures of the sukkah I built several years ago and which is made to be portable and reusable. It is also friendly to the spirit of the holiday as it has no metal fasteners. (potential instruments of war after being melted down)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxaWngCytd4pWGi9UqDsgtq_p3bxJ1P9nozwuLXUwsslIW5HeMdEOa-t1LnG1omgTqdeeyczo7-zxVQLZhq6eztn3CIYbpXEIUjG5Q9hPsJ43E8rsI0Mvd4P295pb9V8ExWzpc5zb7Vs/s1600/1466549554_9e2c0dd2c0_o-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxaWngCytd4pWGi9UqDsgtq_p3bxJ1P9nozwuLXUwsslIW5HeMdEOa-t1LnG1omgTqdeeyczo7-zxVQLZhq6eztn3CIYbpXEIUjG5Q9hPsJ43E8rsI0Mvd4P295pb9V8ExWzpc5zb7Vs/s320/1466549554_9e2c0dd2c0_o-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519187096639256818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the key aspects of the holiday are guests. It is commanded to entertain guests, to share a meal or something to drink in the sukkah and to dwell (sleeping bags are needed at night here in NE Ohio) in it. Some come on over for a glass of wine or beer... Decoration is done with natural and specified materials such as willow branches (which we have) and palm fronds (which we don't) so we will use grasses, corn stalks. tree branches and other materials for this temporary - emphasis on temporary building. It is not supposed to be built "too well".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVtMlMOD860ql7vjAiQLTQ0G0R0Ij39llRX6nh_qEJtBGhVJvGxkGR6WjcIEMKD5983CMxPkV1Vvebt7WYn5bkmPEbS3wIzbbFOl8GDY316RBC_xy7Ae14TcHxGMHeTtLj8kopLOSpqI/s1600/pusukk.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVtMlMOD860ql7vjAiQLTQ0G0R0Ij39llRX6nh_qEJtBGhVJvGxkGR6WjcIEMKD5983CMxPkV1Vvebt7WYn5bkmPEbS3wIzbbFOl8GDY316RBC_xy7Ae14TcHxGMHeTtLj8kopLOSpqI/s320/pusukk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519187708432000242" border="0" /></a><br /><noscript><br /></noscript>John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-17878761685820961742010-05-25T08:40:00.000-07:002013-11-12T13:17:38.498-08:00Gus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VX3kHoIM5zaZaYRr4upxYnh67-FsLbFlE3cWs0Y_L6pJrFnAdTaPTQ4xNZFPoCh-9rxNDphY7DbB2BFo0jH1LWCQ7RTtNdxOWyWkoalStv1cX4_PrsYv1XsEMVkDRmaG5mjfhQeqlxE/s1600/gusbed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475233844385753682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VX3kHoIM5zaZaYRr4upxYnh67-FsLbFlE3cWs0Y_L6pJrFnAdTaPTQ4xNZFPoCh-9rxNDphY7DbB2BFo0jH1LWCQ7RTtNdxOWyWkoalStv1cX4_PrsYv1XsEMVkDRmaG5mjfhQeqlxE/s320/gusbed.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
If you haven't seen this creature yet or met him in person, he has weaseled his way into being the mascot for our new line of furniture. But all kidding aside, he knew exactly what to do in front of the camera and held his pose like a pro until I told him to relax. Watch out William Wegman.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-61508418904383375912010-05-23T18:28:00.000-07:002010-05-23T19:01:00.612-07:00What I learned by showing my work in an "Art Show"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeRR120Bv403q3o4U2e-qRtluwDoGQjDJA-Dsor_7BJXcaZkF7BU9ux9emeX8_pZKys5TLpF7SDlkjnemLLBhEFb48yzT_wJu9NTLu6539ALqDzve1ghDN2n-dsoFi9ji4xeQGbE_aJ4/s1600/Katie+Balas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeRR120Bv403q3o4U2e-qRtluwDoGQjDJA-Dsor_7BJXcaZkF7BU9ux9emeX8_pZKys5TLpF7SDlkjnemLLBhEFb48yzT_wJu9NTLu6539ALqDzve1ghDN2n-dsoFi9ji4xeQGbE_aJ4/s320/Katie+Balas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474650368964486850" border="0" /></a>(above image by Katie Balas)<br /><br />I have done a number of trade shows in the furniture industry, and even the Architectural Digest Home Show in New York City, where the public was invited in for three days, but I just completed my first all to the public "Art Show" in my home town of Canton, Ohio. The <a href="http://www.cantonart.org/canton-national">Canton National Art Show</a> was just completed.<br /><br />So what did I learn from two and a half days of direct to the public interaction? First of all that you never can tell who is going to show up in your booth. Secondly, that you should never overestimate the educational level of the visitors but that doesn't mean that they don't have something valuable to say and learn. Lastly, that being in front of a public which expects in general to be buying "a little something" at least is a great market test experience.<br /><br />1) At the end of the first full day, a young woman came into the booth and was looking quietly at my items and asked if she could take several cards for her husband who is an architect. In my little city of Canton, one doesn't have high expectations for visitors, but there are pleasant surprises. I once had a conversation in the airport here with Macy Gray's mother who was picking up her children. Ms. Gray is from this town originally. Well, the visitor I encountered, told me after chatting for a little while that she is from New York City and is a classical singer. I looked her up on Google later and learned that she seems to be quite well established with several recordings and her architect husband is successful enough to be recognized by Forbes for his business on several continents. She was visiting family here apparently.<br /><br />2) At the other end of the experience spectrum I talked with a young couple who were admiring one of my nightstands and asked if I could open the drawers for them to see the inside. They were so impressed with the quality of the work. The male partner blurted out to his companion's embarrassment that he now understood the difference in quality between well made domestic things and what you get from Value City Furniture. But I was not offended and I did not want her to be embarrassed, because that is an important lesson, and how else can you appreciate the distinction without seeing the two versions with your own eyes. I think they both learned that there is a range of quality and craftsmanship and that there aren't just subtle variations in that spectrum.<br /><br />3) I needed to bring some additional items to the Museum in order to "beef up" my display and to have some options in price for people who were browsing. One piece that I was reluctant to bring because I was not sure about its design success and color was my "Quarter Round" table.<br /><a href="http://straussfurniture.com/?page=deco">http://straussfurniture.com/?page=deco</a> . It is also called the Circular Modular Coffee Table on my website. I sold the piece during the show to a visiting couple and had another customer who wanted to have me put it on hold. It looked much better in the Museum than it did in my shop and people responded to its playfulness and its versatility. I have a new found respect for learning from the public.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040751005022144977.post-10475439795463133012010-05-17T12:25:00.000-07:002010-05-17T12:33:55.515-07:00Design Trade Contest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlgP5M0sTyRsNHlG79J6KS40LwJV7SLTROGiufAjoF6_VFgNXPey9cbReWZZ1TR98-f9RVT5jaA26woT7Rly2_nyWi1JryOtGXn56cKTS1PAsouAL-QAvY6Toz002Lm0ypAGFYzwqXuY/s1600/Gable+Dining+backgrnd.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlgP5M0sTyRsNHlG79J6KS40LwJV7SLTROGiufAjoF6_VFgNXPey9cbReWZZ1TR98-f9RVT5jaA26woT7Rly2_nyWi1JryOtGXn56cKTS1PAsouAL-QAvY6Toz002Lm0ypAGFYzwqXuY/s320/Gable+Dining+backgrnd.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472324442836245810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Design Trade Magazine is having a contest on Facebook and we are entered. So this is a shameless plug - if you have a Facebook account, to go to Design Trade's page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1420070577828#%21/designtrade">http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1420070577828#!/designtrade</a> and first "like" them by clicking the button there. Then go to the photos of the contest "Great Finds"and click "like" under my table design. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1420070577828#%21/photo.php?pid=3772408&id=67732274336">http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1420070577828#!/photo.php?pid=3772408&id=67732274336</a> You can see me on the second page about the middle. The work with the most "like" votes gets published in the DT magazine... and if you do so - Thanks!<br /><br />The work is of a fossil table previously blogged about in conjunction with Green River Stone Company. The fossils can be seen there or on my Facebook page. They are 50 million year old fish.John Strausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300443881229401570noreply@blogger.com0