Shaker-Style Boxes by Steve Strouse
Welcome. After many requests, I finally have a website up and running at strousewoodworking.com. For some time, this will be a work in progress, but I think it will be useful for me, as well as for current and future customers. It is my hope that this website will allow a wider range of individuals to view my work in a simple and functional way. Additionally, I hope it will provide a way for customers to purchase some of my work online.
With regards to my work, I look forward to sharing the idea of combining our beautiful hardwoods from Central Pennsylvania with the simple elegance of the Shaker-style box. Most pieces are made to measured drawings of actual Shaker boxes, while others are variations using the same oval bands to form useful carriers and trays. Most of the boxes are made with wood salvaged from storm-damaged trees or through local tree care services. Each piece sold comes with a card including care instructions and also brief information on the tree that it was made from. I am trying to include more of the woods I am working with and the history of the specific trees. Overall, it is my greatest privilege to get to work with pieces that are part of our local history and I hope you enjoy the information about the trees.Feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail if you have any questions about my work. Also, if you are in the area, you are welcome to stop by my shop on Seibert Rd. in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. I look forward to hearing from you and I hope you enjoy my work.Strouse Woodworking
Steve Strouse
1053 Seibert Road
Bellefonte, PA 16823
814-880-9499
email: sstrouse@hotmail.com
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No.5 Divied Carrier
I am working on No.5 Divided Carriers made from the Elm trees that were salvaged from the Penn State University Park Campus. The logs were salvaged from campus after the '95 and '96 winter storms, when many of the trees had to be removed after being severely damaged by the heavy snow.
The four sections make this a nice functional carrier that can be used as a Desk Organizer, Picnic Carrier, or just a good utility box for any room in the house.
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| Elm No.5 Divided Carriers showing several uses for around the house |
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New pieces to be featured at the Shaker Heights Arts & Music Festival
June 16 and 17
This will be my first show to feature boxes made from two trees that were salvaged in late 2011 in Shaker Heights, Ohio. This is the original site of the North Union Shaker Village, which was in existence from 1822 thru 1889.
A Honeylocust tree that was taken down along Hazelmere Road will be used for some of the smaller boxes and also a pin cushion. This tree has thorns on the branches, and also large spine clusters which grow along the trunk. The spine clusters can create an interesting pattern in the grain of the wood.
The second is a massive Sycamore tree that I will be making No.1 thru No.6 size boxes utilizing this wood. I had the logs quaertersawn, which refers to first cutting the log into four sections, then cutting the boards with a radial grain. This type of cut shows the pronounce ray fleck of this wood.
I will get some photos of these new pieces up soon.
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Current Exhibits
Penns Creek Pottery
My work is available here year round, and I currently have a larger than usual amount of inventory on display. A tour of this restored flour mill is a amazing journey back in time, and worth the trip to see what a beautiful piece of history that Bill and Sharon have preserved. Through March Bill is only open on Saturdays, and through the week by chance or appointment. But starting in April they will resume there Tuesday through Saturday hours.
This is a beautiful Spring drive down route 45, and just a few miles past Penn's Creek Pottery on 104 is Shade Mountain Winery. On my trips to the area I usually go on into Mifflinburg, then follow route 192 back home for another beautiful view of the mountains.
Click on the images below for a brief view of my work displayed, and a little of what the inside of the mill looks like.
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| No.8 Cherry Divided Carrier $63, made utilizing trees that had blown down in an early spring storm here in Centre County. |
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| No.7 Curly Maple Carrier $58, made from a maple tree that was cut near Aaronsburg. Filled with local products purchased at Tait Farm Harvest Shop, including my favorite their Butter Pecan Pancake mix. |
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| Elm Pencil Box with Lion profile $30. Made using logs that were salvaged from the Penn State University Campus during the '95 and '96 winter storms. |
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