Just "standing" Around....

bonsaial1

I had the sad misfortune to having the bulk of my electric hand tools stolen from my truck. They got things like saws and routers, both sanders and the like. I am in the construction trade and use these tools daily. I had to replace them in a hurry, but decided to upgarde many of the tools that I had lost.

Problem was, that many of the tables that I had constructed for utilizing certain tools for different uses would not work with the new tools. I have reworked some and built some new ones for all the tools and am ready to go into production for the new year.

I have the wood in place, and the tools to go now, all I need now is a plan and the gumption to get out in that garage in the cold. This weekend is booked, as was last weekend. I will get started right after the holiday.

What I have been doing is drawing some new ideas that I would like to try for some stands. I have a pretty good idea what I am going to do on the cascade stands, but it is the traditional stands that I would like to do something different on.

One thing that I have noticed is that during the course of the art thread, I had been looking through countless books on what made a display look nice. While we talked in depth about three point designs and showing the trees with scrolls and accent plants, sueseki, and the like, one thing that I have noticed. The magazines always cut the stand out of the picture. I have noticed that Matt takes wonderfull pictures of trees, but have even noticed that he cuts that stands out also. (I have been guilty too).

I have also noticed that more and more magazines and books are giving credit to the maker of bonsai pots. I think this is the right thing to do. I think that the potters in a lot of cases really make the difference in how a tree is presented, and has to be one of the primary considerations when the time comes to place the tree in the final show pot.

In Europe (again) I have started to see the first small referances to the stand builder. I am sure alot of this has to do with the fact that the stand has been custom made and the tree owner can actually site who made the stand, rather than just put Stand: Japan.

Craftsmen like Casper Den Ouden, and Daan Giphart are beginning to have their name pop up time and time again, while making a name for themselves in this art we call bonsai.

I put a lot of time and effort into the stands I build and hope one day to have a stand that I have built be seen under the tree of someone famous. Hmmm.. all I have to do is give one to Walter Pall when he is here in Oct. with the condition to have it photographed under one of his trees...nah, that would be cheating.

The designs,

NO. 1
This a more traditional design, just like the one that I made for the contest. Tried and true, I like it because it is simple and does not overstate the tree.
No. 2
Tapered legs are the most noticable aspect of this stand. While they are not that hard to make , they add elegance. Horizontal pieces on all the stands will be strip wood, while all verticles will be dowels of matching wood. Sometimes I have to make the dowels too.
No. 3
A little departure from the previous, just a little more simple. I like this one alot.

Attached Images

stands2.jpg (14.9 KB, 267 views)

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bonsaial1

No. 4 & 5
Pretty self explanatory here. I have built the full hoop stand, and wish to do the partial. I like the idea of the partial hoop, but have one further idea. I would like to do some carving on the stands hoop tip and a little further down. I would like to intruduce a sort of "jinned" effect, with some elongated holes and things like that. I think it would be something different.

Attached Images

stands3.jpg (10.8 KB, 252 views)

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bonsaial1

No. 6
In this stand I have taken the theme of no. 1 and moved the whole rail down a little. This leaves a small space between the start of the railing detail. I like this alot too.
No. 7
This is probaly my favorite. I think this will be the first design I try when I get in the shop. I like seperated ideas, and having the substand seperated by the small blocks of wood, the curved legs, and the dowels, makes this one a winner. I can see this baby out of some real nice black walnut.
No. 8
This is my "out there" stand. I like the design, but when I got done with the horizontal and verticle elements, something was missing in the corners. I decided that I would integrate round wooden balls there?....

Let me know what you guys think, what would you like to see, draw some ideas. I would love to make something that someone would like to see in wood!

Best regards, Al Keppler, aka Bonsai-al

Attached Images

stands1.jpg (17.7 KB, 241 views)

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Experience is fundamental

splinter

I posted a reply to this thread before you were finished, so I deleted it and thought I'd start over.

I like 3, 5, and 7 the best. Interesting that they're all odd numbers.

Sorry to hear about the theft - bummer of a deal.

ROBOKU

wow great stands al

I actually just came back from a bonsai shop and noticed he had 2 big display stands which he imported from china.Thease stands held a variety of pots and small bonsai can u see yourself making large stands like this ??

ROBOKU

here is an example


ROBOKU

Attached Images

potstand.jpg (52.5 KB, 244 views)

ROBOKU

I would like to have one as you can see

just getting a little crowded in my study




regards

ROBOKU

Attached Images

mypots.jpg (34.8 KB, 235 views)

Kazuki

Jee Golly AL!

I have to say, im impressed with all of them, but 3 and 5 are my favorites.. :-D

Jay

Hi Al, sorry to hear about the loss.

As for the stands, my three favorites are 3 - 7 - 1. They just do something for me!

I do think it would be a good idea to give one of your stands to Walter. Nothing is better than advertising!

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing