Thread: Wish my name were Becksvoort

Dear Mr Becksvoort,

I particularly enjoyed revisiting your fine collection on your Ebay sideshow. Of course the photographs don’t do them justice. The work that goes into a piece may not necessarily be appreciated by the viewer. Even so your shaker bookcase and your jewellery cabinet are both very impressive. Out of interest which piece would you consider taxed your skill? That would also be the piece you probably appreciate the most and may not necessarily ‘grab’ the viewer until he or she has had sufficient time to fully examine the constructional effort.

Rocker, as an aside I wonder how many pieces Mr Becksvoort actually turns over at the prices he demands? During a recent visit to Darling Harbour I noted that Mr ‘S’s’ wine rack still adorns that boutique craft shop and is still priced at $2,500! Perhaps Mr Becksvoort has a similar turnover!

Redneck,

You really know how to twist the stiletto between my ribs A year or so ago I sold a wine rack with a striking resemblance to Mr S's through a Maleny gallery for $600, of which I got about $400 after paying commission. I wonder if the one at Darling Harbour priced at $2500 really hasn't sold or whether the one you saw on your recent visit was another identical one.

Actually, that particular piece is quite demanding to make. Each of the 12 rails that support the wine bottles has 2 short dowels at each end, making a total of 48, all of which have to be glued in a single operation. If I made it again, I would use stub tenons instead.

The Shaker bookcase was designed by my brother Christian, who lives in Maine. It is relatively simple to make, although the method used to attach the thumbnail mouding, using dovetail keys, is a bit tricky. Plans for it are given in Niall Barret's book 'Bookcases'.

By the way, my pictures are not on E-Bay; I don't really fancy selling pieces that way.

Becksvoort Maloof Rocker

Rocker,

Sorry, I didn’t mean to open up an old wound with a stiletto. You may be right about the turnover of that wine rack although I thought it was quite expensive even for an ‘original’. Perhaps your gallery may offer you a better deal for your next masterpiece given the Becksvoort craftsmanship you demonstrate. I have a set of plans for that rack but due to the ups and downs of my day job just can’t seem to get any quality time in my shed. Roll on retirement. Will take on-board your advice re stub tenons.

Ignore my E-bay reference…I meant to say Yahoo! Just having a grey moment.