 I also did some routing, but never got as proficient as her. But, my talent with the bandsaw enabled me to be working for myself by the time I was eighteen. I had learned to cut names and shapes freehand (without patterns) and by doing this, how to best arrange wood letters so that readability and strength were both achieved. I traveled the mall craft show circuit with promoter and coin cutter Randy Price and spent summers working in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This is where I met my wife, Julie, who was a candle carver "extrordinaire". We have been together 27+ years now. We traveled these United States together, doing our thing until 1989, when we decided to "settled down" here in Florida. Living on the road ten months a year gets tiring. Since then I have been a signmaker, cabinetmaker, antique dealer, cook and draftsman among other things that bear no mentioning. Sometimes working for myself, sometimes for others. I am currently employed by a major paper company as a production line operator. Although it is not what I would prefer to be doing, the benefits (insurance) for this now middle-aged man are worth dealing with the corporate mentality ...for now anyway. Now, thanks to the World Wide Web, I sell my little woodstuffs strictly on-line, and do my favorite work on my days off without the pressure of having to rely on it to pay the bills. I have clients/friends all over the world and am fascinated by how small this world has become. Even ten years ago I could not have dreamed of the opportunities that the internet could provide. So, please peruse my pages here and feel free to contact me if you see something you would like or if you just want to gab. I also appreciate criticism, feedback and comments. I hope you enjoy. Thank you for your time. ~Scott~ How I Chose the Name "DustyNewt"  They are sociable friends to have around, wallowing in the dust and shavings of my workshop. I refer to them all as Newts, although a few have earned humanesque names for themselves. Stubs, the one who protects my bandsaw from nefarious spider types, is always glad to greet me in the mornings and seems fascinated with my chili pepper coffee mug. He does however, keep a watchful eye out for our orange tabby, Weasley, as this was the feline who appropriated his tail. Weasley has a penchant for lizard tail and is delighted in the sustainable, "green" attributes in the delicacy. Therefore, their are quite a few newts running around with tails in various stages of regrowth. About Finding Materials for My Work With a history of dealing in antiques and collectibles, it is natural for me and my wife to go out on a Friday or Saturday beating the bushes to find treasures at garage sales and thrift stores, with my eye out for broken, abused but solid hardwood furniture in oak, walnut, maple and other exciting hardwoods. Those pieces that are beyond repair or unwanted when the sale winds down, find another incarnation awaiting them in my shop. A new life as a cherished gift of a personalized keychain, desk name or unique box instead of the inevitable landfill. Since most of my work is small, I can resurrect something out of just about any unwanted hardwood. Some really ugly or poorly made furniture has beautiful and interesting grain patterns and color. Also, I am not too proud for the occasional dive in a dumpster or a screeching halt on the side of the road to pick up a pallet or tree trimmings. It is amazing how wasteful a society we have become. None of this is free, in fact it is sometimes more costly than lumber yard wood. Aside from the cost of gas to find it and the nominal charge by the seller, a missed nail or submerged screw can really mess up a fifty dollar blade. Plus the time spent breaking it down and milling it to dimensions I can use. In all, it balances, and as a Libra, satisfies my soul. Not to mention adding to the "Green" attitude we must take as earth dwellers. I would estimate that 60-70% of my materials come from this practice and I hope to make it more in the future. So when you purchase a piece from me, chances are you are purchasing a piece of wood that was originally harvested 50-200 years ago. Here is an example of the process;    Part of the above milled into keychain stock. The end product to be cherished for years to come.  |
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