Outhouse by sculptor Patrick Dougherty

Thanks to Alan Wherry for sending us this article from the New York Times by Penelope Green about Patrick Dougherty, a sculptor in Chapel Hill, N.C. There's a slide show of Patrick's work, including a log cabin and his work with "…sticks and stones." Photos by Randy Harris, a prolific photographer; Check his website: http://www.randyharrisphoto.com

Robin Wood making a bowl on foot-powered lathe

"Robin Wood makes a nesting set of bowls to commemorate the death of the 'last bowlturner' George Lailey who died 50 years ago. Inspired by Lailey's tools and lathe in the Museum of English Rural Life, Robin recreated the lost craft fifteen years ago and now makes his living as a bowlturner."
robin-wood.co.uk

Vimeo film of Japanese teahouse construction

Also from Robin Wood (robin-wood.co.uk):
"Video of the Japanese Tea house being put together, probably filmed over a period of around 4-5 hours. The Japanese carpenters are very precise and each part actually went together and was taken apart again several times until they were satisfied with the fit."

Japanese tea house construction from Nicola Wood on Vimeo.
"It is difficult to estimate how long it took to prepare the timbers, but it was made entirely from trees that were felled on the worksite and converted using hand tools. The Japanese carpenters had done quite a bit of background work before we got there and then a mixed Japanese / European group of 15-20 people spent a solid seven days of work on it before this final construction."
Robin found this at: http://nicolawood.typepad.co.uk/kesurokai/2010/09/tea-house-construction-video.html#

Mountain monastery

Sümela Monastery in Turkey. It's on the Flickr site from someone named Mezitli. Go here to see his large collection of pix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42146559@N08/
More info on monastery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sümela_Monastery

Film of wooden bridge built of local curved sweet chestnut tree in England

We just got a wonderful email from builder Robin Wood, of Edale, Derbeyshire, UK. Robin makes countryside furniture and other wooden items.
"Robin's latest piece is a wooden footbridge, carved from a naturally-curved sweet chestnut tree growing just 200 yards from the site.
This beautiful bridge is in a special location; it is easily accessible but as you cross over it you come out onto open moorland and get a real sense of entering a wild and beautiful place."
More links from Robin to follow.
robin-wood.co.uk

Green roof on Big Sur guest house and garage

There are 15 green roofs shown on this treehugger posting: http://is.gd/fL729

Dining table made of recycled wood

I shot a bunch of photos around our house for my talk at the solar energy festival last weekend, but there was no electrical hookup, so I'll post a few here now and then. I've made a number of tables out of used 2" Douglas Fir floor joists. We eat meals at this table, and look out at the constantly-changing bird world on the ground, in the bushes, at the finch feeder, bathing in the bird bath.

Two photos from French carpenter Yogan

Our friend Yogan just sent us this link to photos of a number of his projects in France: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=856784&id=1127561109

Yogan's website: http://yocharpentier.ifrance.com

Alexandra's Woodniks

A 4-year-old spectator checks out 12-year-old Alexandra Dean's little sculptures at the San Rafael Street Fair last night. Alexandra's website: http://www.woodniks.com/

Victorian Era Wooden Submarine

This submarine was built in 1858 by Spanish Engineer Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol to harvest coral.
"The pressure hull was constructed from olive wood, supported with oak rings, and covered in 2 mm of copper, and measured 4 metres (13 ft) long, 2 metres (6.6 ft) at its highest, and 1 metre (3.3 ft) wide.…For propulsion, Monturiol used hand-cranked propellers.…"
Sent us by Evan Kahn
(2nd boat on blog today.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narc%C3%ADs_Monturiol_i_Estarriol

Velzy Paddleboard For Sale

Nice looking paddleboard on Craig's List, sent us by Brendan O'Connor.

"This is a Surftech produced 12 foot Stock Class Sprint Paddleboard designed by Dale Velzy. This board has the beautiful Mahogany wood deck inlay and an EVA rubber deck pad. It is a real rocket and is in great condition.
Paid $2000 new. $795. or reasonable offer.
Reply to waterman through this post: http://is.gd/fEFX6"