Here is a Gavel I created out of some scrap Myrtle. it will be inlayed with ... well, whatever strikes my fancy at the time. This will be a gift for MWB Ed.

Here are a couple of pictures of a completely refurbished and refinished 1912 Victrola. The case was a blend og mahogany, poplar and pine, the gears, tone arm and springs needed rebuilding, and the felt was replaced. I was shocked by just how loud the player is. There you have it, a brand new 98 year old record player. If you have anything you would like restored, just keep Dark Star in mind, stop by or give us a call, we would love to talk to you about your project.

  The VW just about ready for the trip to Furthur Fest in Cal.Only to issues remain to be repaired in the am, the drivers window will not go up, and I have a gas leak at the tank. Other than that, Elmo the bus is ready to go.

Wardens Columns

Here is the picture of the final view of the columns. The carrying cases will be shown later; as of this writing the recent cold snap set the curing time back by days... I mean, c'mon.. snow in May?
Anyway, these are some of the most gorgeous columns I have seen, if I do say so myself. Now, I realize that not every odge is an Esoteric Lodge, But if your Lodge has any needs in furniture or furnishings, I hope Dark Star is your first stop.

Wardens columns for Esoterika #316 Seattle WA

I wanted to throw some quick pictures up of three of the four columns for Esoterika #316. I had the opportunity to visit the Lodge on Tuesday, and give a talk about the columns and the work that went into making them. I will post more, and better pitures of them, and the custom carrying cases in the near future.

Masonic Memorial Plaque

Here is a carving I made for Robert Burns Lodge # 97 in Burns Oregon. It is black walnut with a hand rubbed finish. truth be told, I didn't do the letter work, that was engraved by a local artist with a "frickin" laser....

10 days until delivery of some extremely custom wardens columns. Hand blown cobalt glass orb, smoked orb with silver and looking like the earth and the heavens. Custom stands for labor / refreshment, and hand carved caps. I'll post pictures after the brethren see them, as I want them to be a surprise.

An example of some refinishing work

 
 

As this desk was brought out to my truck when I picked it up, I was asked by the guys carrying it if I was taking it to the dump. I would hope, if they saw the after shots, they would realize that most wooden furniture can be brought back to life.

Back from my travels to the East

It has been a long four months. At the end of August I was offered a chance to work of the restoration of an estate in Millbrook New York. So I jumped in the truck loaded with tools and a sleeping bag, bade farewell to my wife, son and infant daughter and went to work. The estate is owned by one of the Johnsons of Johnson & Johnson... and in typing that out, it sounds like a gag from Blazing Saddles...
Work went well, though we did run through materials faster that the previous Foreman and crew had, and the weather did finally shut down the last bits for the year.
So, now back in Bend, I was appointed Senior Deacon of Bend Lodge #139 whilst I was away, so lots to study, and I look forward to seeing what a new year will bring.

Bro. David over at the Masonic Art Exchange has done me a great honor by including me in the most recent newsletter. This newsletter in and of it's self is a work of art, you really should check it out. There are some very talented people out there, And David has beautifully corralled them.
http://masonic-ae.com/newsletters/v1i3.html

Well, though I am rapidly becoming known for some of the coolest of Masonic creations, this last two weeks has proven busy at the Lodge ( we did not go dark this year) we have had degree practices and degree work straight through the summer, all leading up to the Robert Burns Lodge #97 AF&AM Cave Degree ( http://www.burnslodge.org/malheurevent.html ) this coming weekend. 140+ Masons in a 3000' deep cave.. How can we have anything but fun. Bend Lodge has the honor of raising one of our own at the cave this year. Should be a blast, but as we will be conferring the degree in front of the entire Grand Line, practice rather than posting any new cool Lodge furniture.

Wardens Columns

Had a great and ranging conversation with a Gentleman from Washington State today, we discussed the sorry state of most Masonic supplies available in the states, and how so many Lodges are saddled with non-symbolic and in some cases boring fixtures. We are working together to create some Wardens Columns that are ripe with the symbols of Freemasonry. This is a pair I created for a Lodge in Needles California, complete with hand cut brass jewels. We may be taking the design and execution one step further, and introducing elements of stone, Cedar of Lebanon, blown glass and fiber-optics.. pictures to follow.

Birth of My line of Masonic Chairs

I have been kicking around an idea for a Masonic chair for a while. the idea first popped up as , basically , a masonic Adirondack chair. Gavel shapes for arms, compass for the back, square for the front "legs"
I made a prototype of the chair, and floated the idea and the picture on Facebook. I was shocked at the amount of positive feedback I received. I think a lodge of these in the sidelines would be really cool, and the possibilities of lettering the square (such as Lodge and #) , or a carving or two of significant Masonic symbols within the head and legs of the compass bring to it exciting possibilities. Oak, Black walnut, Mahogany, or even paint grade, in honor of what the first thought about these chairs were, patio chairs.

Well, here is the kick off for me and my company into the 21st century. Kick off is right, as I have fought , kicking and screaming against technology for years, as an historically accurate furniture builder. Keywords and hand planes just never seemed to mix. That said, I am here to introduce myself, Derek Stevens, and my company, Dark Star LTD, makers of hand crafted furniture for use in Masonic Lodges, as well as Items for Freemasons such as humidors, time capsules, door knockers, wooden rings and even, for the more forward thinking, handcrafted masonic coffins and caskets. People are dying to get them, and I have never had a complaint from the customer on one.

A few pictures can be seen on my Facebook page at www.fbook.me/darkstar .Why not stop by and take a look.

As a post script: It has been mentioned that I should point out that I happily create non-Masonic furniture, restoration of beloved heirlooms, as well as copies or complimentary pieces in any style

Thanks,
Derek Stevens
Dark Star LTD
www.darkstarltd.net
derek@darkstarltd.net