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Showing posts from May, 2022

The Creative Journey of a Welder Fitter Turned Wood Artist

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I make usable wood quality art. A bit about me first. In 2015 I was forced into retirement because of back problems, and keeping busy is essential. It’s been an incredible journey of rediscovery.  Hence I’ve been a creative person my entire life, a welder fitter, small engine mechanic and everything in between, including artist and furniture maker – the latter turned out to be an offshoot of the former job because woodwork was intrinsic to all my jobs, being called upon to build things from time to time from all kinds of materials. Finding the Right Work It’s important to find work that you enjoy, but is also challenging. The first step in finding fulfilling work is getting clear on what your strengths are and finding areas that connect to those strengths. I love coming up with new designs, I’m an avid outdoorsman, and I have basic woodworking skills from growing up on a farm. All these factors led me to become a wood artist. Tips for Working with Wood Keep in mind that when worki...

Woodturning Artist Marcel Tardif's Beyond Ordinary Workshop and Studio

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Marcel Tardif, woodturning artist beyond ordinary, the workshop and studio, Sumac Hill Creations is in Neebing Ontario, a small district in Northwestern Ontario.   Marcel Tardif turned wood into art and he does it with innovative concepts that have resulted in creations such as urns and vases with hearts, eggs and butterflies all attached to one central rod that extends from the base up to the top of the piece. The workshop wood, wood turning, woodworking.   Wood shavings swirl around you, clinging to your clothes as you spin a piece of raw lumber on a lathe.   The woodworker is focused on his work, but welcomes you in to see what he's doing.   He tells you about why he chose to use that particular piece of wood or how he designed his table so perfectly.   You leave inspired by what you've seen and how it translates into your daily life. The tools and materials It is fairly easy to get started with wood turning.   But there are lots of factors involved in ...

Why Woodturning Artists are Extraordinary

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When you look at the finished product of a woodturning artist, you probably see something that seems ordinary enough to you: a wooden bowl, perhaps, or an ornate vase, or even a small figurine with delicate features and charming details. But if you look at their process, what they actually make seems completely otherworldly to most people; most of us can’t turn wood on the lathe into a beautiful piece of art without it being marred by imperfections, which is why we leave woodturning to the professionals and call it an extraordinary craft. They see the potential in trees When a tree is cut down, it seems like there’s nothing left. But if you’re looking for creativity, utility and artistry in a common object, that tree can have an incredible range of uses—especially once it’s been turned into something new. Many woodworkers tap into that potential by exploring wood turning techniques. They have patience and focus While you’re looking at turning a piece of wood on your lathe, that’s all y...

Woodturning Services in Thunder Bay - Everything You Need to Know!

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 Woodturning is a type of woodworking that involves shaping wood on a lathe to create rounded or squared pieces of wood. It’s been around for centuries, and in the modern era, there are many types of equipment available to turn even the smallest logs into beautiful works of art. If you’re interested in learning more about this popular practice, read on to find out everything you need to know about woodturning in Thunder Bay District, Northwestern Ontario! What Are Woodturning Services? A woodturner is a woodworker who uses special tools and techniques, such as lathes, gouges, chisels and sanders, to create different shapes and sizes of objects out of wood. They can work on custom orders or improve existing items. Wood turning services are generally sought after for anything from handcrafted salad bowls and serving utensils to decorative candle holders or conversation pieces. Why Visit a Professional Woodturner? If you’re thinking about woodturning as a hobby, then you’re probably ...

Marcel Tardif: A Creative Soul Who Transforms Ordinary Wood into Extraordinary Art

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Marcel Tardif lives in Neebing, Ontario, Canada with his wife Joyce and three daughters Elizabeth, Laurence and Olivia. He has been working with wood since 1978 when he was 19 years old. It all started when he would go to the Neebing Sawmill on Sundays to purchase scrap wood from them at discounted prices. It didn’t take long before he wanted to experiment with his new found wood so he went to school to learn how to work with it and create things from it. Turning Tables Marcel transforms ordinary wood into extraordinary art by creating elaborate, detailed designs and patterns. He says it’s all about being detail-oriented. With over 35 years of experience, Marcel is known for his innovative and high-quality craftsmanship. Each piece is different, he explains. I don’t make copies. If a customer places an order, I create a new design that fits their needs. The Studio Marcel's work shop, called Sumac Hill Creations , is located in a small district in Northwestern Ontario. When he goes...

Get woodworking: Tips for finding the right woodturning company

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If you’re in the market for some new woodturning projects, you may be wondering how to find a good woodturning company near you. Luckily, there are plenty of options to help you get started with your project and get the outcome you want. Here are some tips to help you choose the right company! How to choose the right company When it comes to selecting a wood turning company, there are a few things to consider. Where is their facility located? How long have they been in business? What types of projects have they created? Choosing a reliable, trustworthy, and skilled team will result in beautiful art pieces that are high quality and completed on time. A local location is important because you’ll want your final product to be easily accessible. You should also look at examples of previous work or portfolios for an idea of what to expect from them. What do they offer? Finding a good wood turning company isn’t easy. There are a lot of options out there, and not all of them will be right fo...

Wood Working Company Best Furniture: Get the Perfect Piece for Your Home

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Your home’s furnishings say a lot about you, and they can be the first thing your guests see when they enter the room. It’s important to have furniture that not only goes with your décor but also looks beautiful on its own, so you’ll want to choose wisely and make sure you get exactly what you want every time! The good news is that there are tons of options out there, from sofas and chairs to dressers and cabinets. Check For Durability When you’re looking to buy a table, look for one that will last. Hardwoods such as teak and mahogany are some of the most durable options on today’s market. If you want your furniture to remain in style from year to year, make sure it was made with high-quality materials. Choose The Right Type Of Material If you’re serious about making your home look great , then it’s time to do something about it. Of course, that means spending some money—but there are ways to spend as little as possible without skimping on quality. For example, try purchasing more wood...

The Creative Soul of a Wood

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A company has many people who contribute to its success, but there is one group that contributes in a way that you might not expect. The people who work with the wood used to make our products are highly creative and innovative in the ways they use their material and so we have to be equally creative and innovative when working with them to get what we need to keep moving forward. This can be a very rewarding relationship that creates long lasting bonds between the employees of both companies. Maintain the right temperature Many woods can be damaged by extreme heat, so it’s important to keep your instrument away from fireplaces, radiators, and other sources of excessive heat. Many fine instruments have been ruined because their owners left them sitting in windows or near radiators or televisions that blew out heat continuously for hours. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, you may want to invest in a good case that is well-ventilated. Protect against water damage When you...

A CREATIVE SOUL

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  Marcel Tardif, woodturning artist beyond ordinary, the workshop and studio, Sumac Hill Creations is in Neebing Ontario, a small district in Northwestern Ontario. Well, what is It I do? I make usable quality art. A bit about me first. In 2015 I was forced into retirement because of back problems, and keeping busy is essential. It’s been an incredible journey of rediscovery. Hence I’ve been a creative person my entire life, a welder fitter, small engine mechanic. I started several businesses, very entrepreneurial, good work ethic, good values and motivated, very mechanically inclined, always learning, and my thirst for learning new things is so very strong. I am involved with amazing artist groups Like Artisan Northwest (Thunder Bay) and South Niagara Artists

Wood products to sell and being an artist is the perfect combination

  One of the main questions I get from people who want to start their own company is : What should I think about when deciding the products I will offer?   It's a challenging question as it's complicated with the variety of options there are that it's difficult to choose the kind that you'd prefer explore.   In my experience, I've found that most profitable businesses have two elements in common that are a need and a desire.   If you have both of these characteristics, you shouldn't be able to achieve success for your business! Sell  Wood Products Wood products can be an excellent side hustle to make money from.   A lot of people imagine lumberjacks earning a living through cutting trees down, and then selling the wood off, but it's not always the case.   A lot of them have transformed their passion work with  timber into profitable business by setting up small businesses that create furnishings, crafts and everything else they can think of. Start...

Suma Chill Creations

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  A CREATIVE SOUL Marcel Tardif , woodturning artist beyond ordinary, the workshop and studio, Sumac Hill Creations is in Neebing Ontario, a small district in Northwestern Ontario. Well, what is It I do? I make usable quality art. A bit about me first. In 2015 I was forced into retirement because of back problems, and keeping busy is essential. It’s been an incredible journey of rediscovery. Hence I’ve been a creative person my entire life, a welder fitter, small engine mechanic. I started several businesses, very entrepreneurial, good work ethic, good values and motivated, very mechanically inclined, always learning, and my thirst for learning new things is so very strong. I am involved with amazing artist groups Like Artisan Northwest (Thunder Bay) and South Niagara Artists RECENT WOOD CREATIONS Black Ash Charcuterie Black walnut Charcuterie board with blue resin A creative Soul. Marcel Tardif, a woodturning artist beyond the ordinary level. The workshop and studio, Sumac Hil...