West Glacier Farmers Market

The first year for the farmers market in West Glacier has ended for the season and was deemed a huge success by all who attended or took part in. It appears that it will become a spring/summer/fall feature popular event again next year.

The Friday evening markets were attended by many of the visitors visiting Glacier National Park as well as peaking the interests of local folks. It was a lot of fun to visit with folks from all over the world.

Venders types were varied, with pretty much a variety for all to choose from. There were local produce, flowers/plants, jewelery, photographers, leathersmiths, writers, many different types of craft items, and of course custom woodworking. Booths were also setup by different groups as fund raisers. At each and every market there was live music provided by local talent. We very much look forward to being a part of it next spring and another season. If you missed it this year make sure you put it on your calendar for next year.

The Kalispell and WhiteFish markets are still going on every Saturday(Kalispell) and Tuesday(Whitefish). Look for is there..

Back home in peaceful Northwest Montana

We have finally returned to beautiful cool Northwest Montana to try and resume our lives.

After starting what we thought was a quick four day weekend to visit FIL, his health turned downhill quickly and he passed on August 29th. We are thankful he is no longer in pain. Therefore, we ended up spending over 2 1/2 weeks in the big city of Seattle, Washington dealing with all the matters which much be dealt with in a situation like this. The task was overwhelming at times, however all was accomplished without any disagreements within the family members. Being a outsider I managed to stay on the outside of all decisions and was the resident gofer to help any way I was asked.

In case some of you don't know Seattle is a 24 hour city with way too many people, unending traffic(even at night) and constant mind numbing noise. It was a real treat to finally have a great cup of coffee and breakfast upon our return at our favorite Montana Coffee Traders in Columbia Falls, after having to endure the Starbucks swill.
We picked up a trailer and towed some of FIL belongings back home with us. Therefore our little spot in the woods is more disorganized than normal. I am slowly getting things in their places and get my brain back on track with projects in the shop. Please bear with me in this process, I will get back on track soon.

I feel very blessed to be able to relax(?) in the solitude of my little piece of woods and try and pick back up the shop work. My first item of business today is to start a fire in my wood fired Snorkel Hot tub so we can enjoy a nice hot soaking tonight. I have greatly missed the time I spend in the shop and creating projects for all the folks who put their ideas and trust in Splinters Woodworks.

It is a heart wrenching experience to lose someone you are attached to and totally upsets your world. It is something everyone will have to go through at some point or another. None of us will make it out of here alive..so hang on, make the best of it, and enjoy the ride!

It is now dropping into the 30's at night and the firewood supply needs to be taken care of in the process, as well as preparing the outside for the oncoming winter.... Gee ...makes me tired just to think about it.....
Shop wise, I have several projects in process....most of them are close to finish and shipping. Thank you for your patience and trust in Splinters Woodworks. I will be on track very soon.

Take care and have a great day.....

Seattle travels once again...

Greetings from the beautiful Pacific Northwest.....I wish this trip was of a more enjoyable nature, but unfortunately it is not. We have spent much time at Swedish Hospital where FIL is being treated for cancer. We know that it is part of lifes adventure and that none of us make it out of here alive, however that doesnt make any of this any easier. I will update post later...

Sept 02 2008.....Sorry for the late posting....FIL passed away last Friday morning and it has been very crazy here in Seattle. Current plans are to head back toward Montana this weekend and try and get back into the shop and finish pending orders and start on new orders. Please be patient with us during this period of our lives. Thanks for all the positive support I have received.......

Sawdust and Splinters flying in the Air

July and August have been extremely busy here in the shop with attending markets, shows and processing orders. Of course that means lots of projects. I plan to add photos and stories soon.

Want to order a 28 inch pizza?

This is the finished 28 inch x 28 inch pizza peel with a 20 inch handle. It was made out of birch and had a mahogany backing to strengthen the handle. It was shipped to a new pizzeria in Florida.

Pizza peels ship......next?

The Illinois pizza peel order is on its way....now on to the next in line




This giant peel is in progress to be shipped to Florida...It is a little bit bigger to say the least. It has a 28 inch x 28 inch paddle with a 24 inch handle.



It will take a strong person to pick this up loaded with a pizza. This had to have a reenforced handle because of the size. This photo shows the backing being clamped.

Pizza Peels are making me hungry!!!

Getting close to finishing up the order of six peels this week and shipping them off to Illinois. Knowing that there will soon be some awesome pizza's created on these peels are making me hungry.

These peels have 18 inch x 18 inch paddle with a 7 inch handle. I made these peels out of birch also, but also have one glued up out of maple to compare.

It is a fun and rewarding process to choose the wood patterns and then working them into size and shape. Once complete the peels will be oiled with a food grade mineral oil and they are ready to use.





I have another order in progress to be shipped to Florida...It is a little bit bigger to say the least. It has a 28 inch x 28 inch paddle with a 24 inch handle. More to follow on this super peel.
This peel is made out of birch and is shaping up nicely.


It will take a strong person to pick this up loaded with a pizza.

Come to the West Glacier Farmers Market!!!

We are very excited to begin this new evening of fun for Glacier National Park visitors and all local community members.

This community event offers a variety of baked goods, fresh produce, and arts and crafts from local vendors.

There will be music and plenty of fun! Come enjoy some of the local talent and check out the market, grab a bite to eat and make an evening of it.

The West Glacier Bar is right across the street and is always a great spot to pick up a cold one on a hot Montana evening.


The market will be held in the parking lot between The Glacier Raft Company and the Alberta Visitor Center.

Please join us from 5-7PM every Friday this summer!

June 9, 2008

Apgar Lookout with view of Lake McDonald

Greetings....Just a quick post this morning as I have glue drying in the shop...work is progressing on the custom pizza peels that I talked about last time...Also am finishing up a large Cherry three person cribbage board, which will be delivered this week...

It has been a busy time in beautiful Northwest Montana...The Kalispell Farmer Market on Saturday was a cool damp but productive day....Lots of people out even though it rained on and off all morning....The sun is currently shining, however the weather forecast is for rain/snow, cold all week. This is actually a good thing as long as it doesnt turn very hot very quick...I will take continuious days of rain to never have to breath the smoke of a forest fire again....

Back to work here...will post more later with photos....

Pizza Peels for new pizzeria in Roselle, IL

This is one of the latest project being worked on here in the shop. It is the first of six custom pizza peels for a new pizza place in Illinois.

It was created by gluing up 1/2 inch thick pieces of birch creating a 18 inch square paddle and a seven inch handle. The joints were glued together using wooden biscuits to give a stronger joint. Birch was chosen because it is a lighter weight wood and has worked well in previous projects.






This is the peel being glued and clamped





This is a bit hard to see but it is the business end of the bevel. The edges are 1/2 inch thick on both sides with the center beveled down to about 1/8 of a inch.





After sanding the custom bevel grove which runs about the last 8 inches of the board in a triangle shape. The bevel which is deeper near the end is to allow the easy transfer of the pizza onto the cooking surface of the oven. Once all the sanding and shaping was done I cleaned and applied a food grade mineral oil to protect the surface and preserve the wood.