Speaking personally, it's one thing to have an idea about a project, and quite another to actually turn that idea into a reality, which is why we love meeting "novices" like Kris, who have the courage to dive in head first. With results this good we think this novice woodworker might just have found a part-time job.  Â
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Dreaming of doors, a customer guest post
October 24, 2012
We recently received an email from a happy customer along with a photo of the project that she had completed using lumber from Sears Trostel. Our customer Kris came to us with a vision and turned that vision into a wonderfully unique door, one that blends nicely with the mountainous beauty that is Fraser, Colorado.
Well, we thought Kris's door was too pretty to keep to ourselves and asked her if she wouldn't mind sharing with our readers a little bit about her project, from inspiration to fruition. Here is what she had to say about her door makeover:
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A work in progress
...The door
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and two months later (ageing nicely)
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Well, we thought Kris's door was too pretty to keep to ourselves and asked her if she wouldn't mind sharing with our readers a little bit about her project, from inspiration to fruition. Here is what she had to say about her door makeover:
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"...I found a picture of a similar door in a magazine and tried to contact the architect and builder.  I received no response from them so I decided maybe I could “make itâ€.   I must also tell you that the sidelight for the door is a stained glass window of an aspen tree with columbine at the base.  My husband is familiar with my wanting to make things and is very patient and never says no, but I don’t think he ever thought I would tackle our front door.
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I began by drawing a pattern on construction paper.  I was going to use 3 different kinds of wood so I made the pattern with three colors of brown paper for the tree.  I brought the pattern with me to Sears Trostel and after talking to your helpful sales people, decided to go with only one wood, but which one?  We looked at cherry, lace wood and walnut.  I bought samples of all three woods and used samples of different Penofin stains on each.  I brought in my construction paper pattern and Curt patiently helped walk me through how much wood I would need and a cost estimate.
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Meanwhile, I made a full scale pattern of the door using butcher type paper and construction paper.  I ordered a solid core birch door from our local lumber yard then came to you to purchase the wood.  I chose cherry.  My husband made all the cuts using my construction paper patterns!  Each branch is slightly different since the trunk tapers.  He was able to cut 4 matching branches at a time, 2 for the outside of the door and 2 for the inside of the door.  We put a thin film of glue on each and tacked them to the door. The door was sealed with several coats of Penofin to protect it from our high altitude UV.   We had to wait until our nephew visited to hang the door because it was too heavy for me to lift.  It is now installed and ageing beautifully.  The cherry on the outside has darkened nicely and the cherry on the inside is taking its time darkening.
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I am thrilled with the door.  Not too bad for my first wood working project!  I will be back to visit you when I plan my next project. Thanks to Sears Trostel for all the encouragement and their unending patience with a true novice." -Kris Schneider, Fraser, COÂ
A work in progress
...The door
and two months later (ageing nicely)
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