I started the month getting about a dozen or so paddle back orders started.  Finishing them reveled on of the real challenges of running a small business-the paddles were pre-paid but I still needed to earn February's income.  So I had to put them on hold for a little while and get onto some other repair work.  I will be returning to them in about a week.

I needed to make up some new fiberglass plates for use in the reinforced tips.  I laid up a 4 layer panel of black pigmented fiberglass.  After curing overnight I can cut it into pieces using simple scissors.  I tried using the bandsaw in the past, but the blade is dulled very fast.

Now that the canoe building is essentially done, I can get onto some of the other work that is waiting. First up is a pair of 9 1/2' oars. These will be going to Cross Lake, Mb and will be used in the canoe races there. These are built with a cedar core and blade, and Fir faces and sides further up the loom. The fir is used both for strength and to increase the mass inboard for better balance. AS the cedar was low cross grain strength I applied a thin, 2 0z., layer of fiberglass on the blade and extreme end of the shaft. There is also a band of walnut around the perimeter of the blade for edge protection.

A little more progress on the mold for the Clairtone globe shells. I had a lot of problems getting this off of the pattern, neccesitating quite a bit of remedial work. The residue is cleaned out, sanded, and coated with new epoxy. I have about 5 coats on and I am letting it cure hard before sanding and polishing. Pretty soon I can take some laminates from it! Then I can progress on making the rest of the cabinet and stand. THEN I can put the components in and use it.

Our local skating club hosted a regional competition a couple of weeks ago. They were looking for auction items, so, as my daughter skates with the club, I felt like I needed to put something in. This painting is about 18" x 24", acrylic on canvas. I didn't want to invest a huge amount of time into it as I was pretty sure that the smallish size of this competition wouldn't draw huge numbers of people. I based it off an 1940's photo of Carol Lynne by Gjion Mili.

The yellow Cruiser is nearing completion. I had planned on doing the pinstripe as gold with a black border, but its looking pretty nice in black only. I am awaiting word from the client on his choice.

Final varnish in on all of the trim, the thwarts are ready to bolt in, the stem bands are on, and the seats are being caned. Almost done!

A yellow canoe is like a blast of sunshine in the shop on a cold January workday.

This may look like an ordinary tomato, but it has been picked off of a tomato plant that I have been over-wintering in my shop. Last summers plants were looking pretty good when they were due to be pulled out and thrown on the compost heap, so I decided to try keeping one potted. The goal is to get a good start for next summer.

So far, so good.