Details matter: a micro mechanician in the modern era | Bill Robertson | TEDxKC

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] objects what are objects you know

objects what are objects you know

objects what are objects you know objects tell stories objects are

objects tell stories objects are

objects tell stories objects are witnesses to history objects are like

witnesses to history objects are like

witnesses to history objects are like the tip of an iceberg of information

the tip of an iceberg of information

the tip of an iceberg of information look at this drafting instrument set who

look at this drafting instrument set who

look at this drafting instrument set who used it what they design is it still

used it what they design is it still

used it what they design is it still standing who sat at this table what

standing who sat at this table what

standing who sat at this table what great ideas got thrown in the trash

great ideas got thrown in the trash

great ideas got thrown in the trash we never know I’ve had a love affair

we never know I’ve had a love affair

we never know I’ve had a love affair with objects all my life I grew up in

with objects all my life I grew up in

with objects all my life I grew up in Washington DC and my parents would take

Washington DC and my parents would take

Washington DC and my parents would take me to the Smithsonian is a little kid

me to the Smithsonian is a little kid

me to the Smithsonian is a little kid and leave me off that was my babysitter

and leave me off that was my babysitter

and leave me off that was my babysitter the museum I’d walk around I’d push my

the museum I’d walk around I’d push my

the museum I’d walk around I’d push my face against the glass and study things

face against the glass and study things

face against the glass and study things I’d want to learn about them about their

I’d want to learn about them about their

I’d want to learn about them about their history to unwrap them to uncover them

history to unwrap them to uncover them

history to unwrap them to uncover them later as an adult I had to possess them

later as an adult I had to possess them

later as an adult I had to possess them I had to own them I started to collect

I had to own them I started to collect

I had to own them I started to collect but there were those unobtainable –zz

but there were those unobtainable –zz

but there were those unobtainable –zz the things you couldn’t buy the things

the things you couldn’t buy the things

the things you couldn’t buy the things lost to history so I build them this

lost to history so I build them this

lost to history so I build them this architects classroom I actually built

architects classroom I actually built

architects classroom I actually built this there’s I spent 2000 hours

this there’s I spent 2000 hours

this there’s I spent 2000 hours researching it the pictures on the wall

researching it the pictures on the wall

researching it the pictures on the wall the sprinkler heads the light fixtures

the sprinkler heads the light fixtures

the sprinkler heads the light fixtures the blueprint making machinery every

the blueprint making machinery every

the blueprint making machinery every detail the little tables that go up and

detail the little tables that go up and

detail the little tables that go up and down the casters that work but there’s

down the casters that work but there’s

down the casters that work but there’s one big difference than what I do and

one big difference than what I do and

one big difference than what I do and that is I do it in miniature

in a sense I’m the opposite of the

in a sense I’m the opposite of the artist class Oldenburg he takes everyday

artist class Oldenburg he takes everyday

artist class Oldenburg he takes everyday objects and blows them up huge and I

objects and blows them up huge and I

objects and blows them up huge and I take strange little things and shrink

take strange little things and shrink

take strange little things and shrink them down he does things for public I do

them down he does things for public I do

them down he does things for public I do it for private i miniaturize everything

it for private i miniaturize everything

it for private i miniaturize everything the skate key it actually works

the skate key it actually works

the skate key it actually works everything works and why miniatures

everything works and why miniatures

everything works and why miniatures miniatures have been around since the

miniatures have been around since the

miniatures have been around since the beginning of time I could use this whole

beginning of time I could use this whole

beginning of time I could use this whole talk to talk about why miniatures you

talk to talk about why miniatures you

talk to talk about why miniatures you either get it or you don’t

either get it or you don’t

either get it or you don’t it really is that simple but when you

it really is that simple but when you

it really is that simple but when you think about it the Egyptians had

think about it the Egyptians had

think about it the Egyptians had miniatures the ancient Chinese the

miniatures the ancient Chinese the

miniatures the ancient Chinese the Renaissance architectural models the

Renaissance architectural models the

Renaissance architectural models the baubles of this in the Baroque period in

baubles of this in the Baroque period in

baubles of this in the Baroque period in the nineteenth century there’s patent

the nineteenth century there’s patent

the nineteenth century there’s patent models and teaching tools there’s

models and teaching tools there’s

models and teaching tools there’s Faberge every culture has had miniatures

Faberge every culture has had miniatures

Faberge every culture has had miniatures and we’ve all loved him one of my

and we’ve all loved him one of my

and we’ve all loved him one of my favorite was Queen Mary’s dollhouse in

favorite was Queen Mary’s dollhouse in

favorite was Queen Mary’s dollhouse in the 1920s the people in England got

the 1920s the people in England got

the 1920s the people in England got together to build the Queen a dollhouse

together to build the Queen a dollhouse

together to build the Queen a dollhouse and authors like Kipling he wrote an

and authors like Kipling he wrote an

and authors like Kipling he wrote an original book for it as did others

original book for it as did others

original book for it as did others rolls-royce built the cars Purdy the

rolls-royce built the cars Purdy the

rolls-royce built the cars Purdy the shotguns and this kind of thing

shotguns and this kind of thing

shotguns and this kind of thing impressed me as a little kid and Here I

impressed me as a little kid and Here I

impressed me as a little kid and Here I am at 11 and we see two things in common

am at 11 and we see two things in common

am at 11 and we see two things in common here one I like miniature objects small

here one I like miniature objects small

here one I like miniature objects small things and two I like to collect I was

things and two I like to collect I was

things and two I like to collect I was the strange little kid that would drag

the strange little kid that would drag

the strange little kid that would drag home a TV or a broken lawnmower out of

home a TV or a broken lawnmower out of

home a TV or a broken lawnmower out of someone’s trash and I made it run again

someone’s trash and I made it run again

someone’s trash and I made it run again I take it apart and it would run by the

I take it apart and it would run by the

I take it apart and it would run by the time I was a teenager I was taking cars

time I was a teenager I was taking cars

time I was a teenager I was taking cars apart and I was the street racer that

apart and I was the street racer that

apart and I was the street racer that Bruce Springsteen sang about

Bruce Springsteen sang about

Bruce Springsteen sang about I had this little corner workshop and I

I had this little corner workshop and I

I had this little corner workshop and I learned that what I wanted that I

learned that what I wanted that I

learned that what I wanted that I couldn’t buy I could build and I learned

couldn’t buy I could build and I learned

couldn’t buy I could build and I learned to build anything I wanted and when I

to build anything I wanted and when I

to build anything I wanted and when I was 21 I thought you know I’ve always

was 21 I thought you know I’ve always

was 21 I thought you know I’ve always liked that miniature stuff I want some

liked that miniature stuff I want some

liked that miniature stuff I want some of that and I wanted a little desk and

of that and I wanted a little desk and

of that and I wanted a little desk and my mother got this piece of junk mail in

my mother got this piece of junk mail in

my mother got this piece of junk mail in the mail with a little desk on it I knew

the mail with a little desk on it I knew

the mail with a little desk on it I knew nothing about furniture but I built that

nothing about furniture but I built that

nothing about furniture but I built that little desk and I showed it to other

little desk and I showed it to other

little desk and I showed it to other people and they wanted little desks so

people and they wanted little desks so

people and they wanted little desks so the next thing I knew I was in business

the next thing I knew I was in business

the next thing I knew I was in business making little furniture and this really

making little furniture and this really

making little furniture and this really brought together of my lifelong

brought together of my lifelong

brought together of my lifelong interests my life at that point which

interests my life at that point which

interests my life at that point which were making things history and small

were making things history and small

were making things history and small things and I got to make them work this

things and I got to make them work this

things and I got to make them work this clock kept time the locks worked in 40

clock kept time the locks worked in 40

clock kept time the locks worked in 40 years later I’m still making these

years later I’m still making these

years later I’m still making these things and I’m very lucky my work is in

things and I’m very lucky my work is in

things and I’m very lucky my work is in private and public collections all over

private and public collections all over

private and public collections all over the world I have to give a great deal of

the world I have to give a great deal of

the world I have to give a great deal of thanks to my parents they were a little

thanks to my parents they were a little

thanks to my parents they were a little unconventional they didn’t make me go

unconventional they didn’t make me go

unconventional they didn’t make me go get a real job they thought fine I’m

get a real job they thought fine I’m

get a real job they thought fine I’m gonna do that in the basement whatever I

also have to thank all the people along

also have to thank all the people along the way that believed in my work and

the way that believed in my work and

the way that believed in my work and supported I could have never done it

supported I could have never done it

supported I could have never done it without them in back in my 20s I won I

without them in back in my 20s I won I

without them in back in my 20s I won I kept thinking about that Queens

kept thinking about that Queens

kept thinking about that Queens dollhouse so I built a dollhouse for

dollhouse so I built a dollhouse for

dollhouse so I built a dollhouse for myself and I built two of these it was

myself and I built two of these it was

myself and I built two of these it was called twin manors and there’s 75,000

called twin manors and there’s 75,000

called twin manors and there’s 75,000 pieces in this what you’re seeing is a

pieces in this what you’re seeing is a

pieces in this what you’re seeing is a foot high a mere 12 inches this is the

foot high a mere 12 inches this is the

foot high a mere 12 inches this is the stairway there’s a thousand pieces there

stairway there’s a thousand pieces there

stairway there’s a thousand pieces there this is the drawing room and the people

this is the drawing room and the people

this is the drawing room and the people here at Kansas City were really lucky

here at Kansas City were really lucky

here at Kansas City were really lucky because this house the architects

because this house the architects

because this house the architects classroom a lot of other things I’ve

classroom a lot of other things I’ve

classroom a lot of other things I’ve made and most important the work of

made and most important the work of

made and most important the work of hundreds of other craftsmen thousands of

hundreds of other craftsmen thousands of

hundreds of other craftsmen thousands of pieces are all on public display at the

pieces are all on public display at the

pieces are all on public display at the National Museum of toys and miniatures

National Museum of toys and miniatures

National Museum of toys and miniatures down by the flosser

down by the flosser

down by the flosser so go see it

what is it about these people making

what is it about these people making miniatures you know in a sense we’re

miniatures you know in a sense we’re

miniatures you know in a sense we’re control freaks you know we can freeze

control freaks you know we can freeze

control freaks you know we can freeze time we can control an environment you

time we can control an environment you

time we can control an environment you know the dishes never get dirty in this

know the dishes never get dirty in this

know the dishes never get dirty in this room people asked me they said do you

room people asked me they said do you

room people asked me they said do you make things for the movies no I don’t in

make things for the movies no I don’t in

make things for the movies no I don’t in the movie model business if the camera

the movie model business if the camera

the movie model business if the camera doesn’t see the left side they don’t

doesn’t see the left side they don’t

doesn’t see the left side they don’t build them not only would I build the

build them not only would I build the

build them not only would I build the left side but I build the way it has to

left side but I build the way it has to

left side but I build the way it has to be built if this little cabinet the

be built if this little cabinet the

be built if this little cabinet the spice cabinet has dovetailed frame i

spice cabinet has dovetailed frame i

spice cabinet has dovetailed frame i dovetail it if the drawers are

dovetail it if the drawers are

dovetail it if the drawers are dovetailed i dovetail those if the lock

dovetailed i dovetail those if the lock

dovetailed i dovetail those if the lock works

works

works I make microscopic parts for that lock

I make microscopic parts for that lock

I make microscopic parts for that lock and when this piece is all together it’s

and when this piece is all together it’s

and when this piece is all together it’s only an inch and a quarter high and none

only an inch and a quarter high and none

only an inch and a quarter high and none of that work shows but it has to be

of that work shows but it has to be

of that work shows but it has to be there that’s the only way I know how to

there that’s the only way I know how to

there that’s the only way I know how to make things is the authentic accurate

make things is the authentic accurate

make things is the authentic accurate way and everything I do you know people

way and everything I do you know people

way and everything I do you know people wonder about the materials and I

wonder about the materials and I

wonder about the materials and I jokingly say I’m a woodworker but no

jokingly say I’m a woodworker but no

jokingly say I’m a woodworker but no trees ever been cut down because of me

trees ever been cut down because of me

trees ever been cut down because of me cuz I only use two board feet of wood a

cuz I only use two board feet of wood a

cuz I only use two board feet of wood a year I seek out the little runt of a

year I seek out the little runt of a

year I seek out the little runt of a tree that grew in the shadows of the big

tree that grew in the shadows of the big

tree that grew in the shadows of the big tree that for 300 years was in the shade

tree that for 300 years was in the shade

tree that for 300 years was in the shade and it has very fine grain wood here

and it has very fine grain wood here

and it has very fine grain wood here this tabletop or table bottom actually

this tabletop or table bottom actually

this tabletop or table bottom actually from a Danish tea table is made from a

from a Danish tea table is made from a

from a Danish tea table is made from a 400 year old piece of you would with a

400 year old piece of you would with a

400 year old piece of you would with a scale not and that oxidized finish and

scale not and that oxidized finish and

scale not and that oxidized finish and not only do I capture the materials I

not only do I capture the materials I

not only do I capture the materials I capture the toolmarks the original

capture the toolmarks the original

capture the toolmarks the original craftsman would have left and everything

craftsman would have left and everything

craftsman would have left and everything has to work an architect’s table an

has to work an architect’s table an

has to work an architect’s table an english-style drafting table from the

english-style drafting table from the

english-style drafting table from the 18th century you unlock it you pull out

18th century you unlock it you pull out

18th century you unlock it you pull out the front you slide the desk back you

the front you slide the desk back you

the front you slide the desk back you lift up the top the book grasp pops up

lift up the top the book grasp pops up

lift up the top the book grasp pops up automatic there’s mechanisms to lock it

automatic there’s mechanisms to lock it

automatic there’s mechanisms to lock it there’s mechanisms to hold it in place

there’s mechanisms to hold it in place

there’s mechanisms to hold it in place it has a little ink drawer to keep the

it has a little ink drawer to keep the

it has a little ink drawer to keep the ink from filing your papers the little

ink from filing your papers the little

ink from filing your papers the little candle slides pull out so your candles

candle slides pull out so your candles

candle slides pull out so your candles don’t put a shadow on your drawing

don’t put a shadow on your drawing

don’t put a shadow on your drawing casters that work details it’s all about

casters that work details it’s all about

casters that work details it’s all about the details they matter and the research

the details they matter and the research

the details they matter and the research you have to research you can’t build

you have to research you can’t build

you have to research you can’t build something unless you know what you’re

something unless you know what you’re

something unless you know what you’re building this 18th century French

building this 18th century French

building this 18th century French spinning wheel I had the original in

spinning wheel I had the original in

spinning wheel I had the original in front of me you’d think that’s all I

front of me you’d think that’s all I

front of me you’d think that’s all I need but no I went to the original book

need but no I went to the original book

need but no I went to the original book that the maker of the original spinning

that the maker of the original spinning

that the maker of the original spinning wheel would have used this is bears

wheel would have used this is bears

wheel would have used this is bears Euron’s book of 1792 it describes it

Euron’s book of 1792 it describes it

Euron’s book of 1792 it describes it from that I made a drawing and I do my

from that I made a drawing and I do my

from that I made a drawing and I do my drawings with pen and ink still I miss

drawings with pen and ink still I miss

drawings with pen and ink still I miss the drawings in scale and scale is

the drawings in scale and scale is

the drawings in scale and scale is nothing but a proportion between the

nothing but a proportion between the

nothing but a proportion between the full-size item and the miniature and I

full-size item and the miniature and I

full-size item and the miniature and I might work to three decimal points but

might work to three decimal points but

might work to three decimal points but the eye is the final judge the part you

the eye is the final judge the part you

the eye is the final judge the part you have to make it look right if it doesn’t

have to make it look right if it doesn’t

have to make it look right if it doesn’t look right why bother and here’s the

look right why bother and here’s the

look right why bother and here’s the wheels for that the smallest one has to

wheels for that the smallest one has to

wheels for that the smallest one has to have 16 pieces in each and the smallest

have 16 pieces in each and the smallest

have 16 pieces in each and the smallest one is smaller than a dime and that

one is smaller than a dime and that

one is smaller than a dime and that steel shaft is threaded the end of that

steel shaft is threaded the end of that

steel shaft is threaded the end of that screws on and that thread is 0.3

screws on and that thread is 0.3

screws on and that thread is 0.3 millimeters that’s about 4 thicknesses

millimeters that’s about 4 thicknesses

millimeters that’s about 4 thicknesses of a human hair and here’s the finished

of a human hair and here’s the finished

of a human hair and here’s the finished spinning wheels and they’re in 1/12

spinning wheels and they’re in 1/12

spinning wheels and they’re in 1/12 scale or 1 inch and 1/6 and the full

scale or 1 inch and 1/6 and the full

scale or 1 inch and 1/6 and the full size and as a reminder of how small it

size and as a reminder of how small it

size and as a reminder of how small it is this is it that’s my thumb I’m

is this is it that’s my thumb I’m

is this is it that’s my thumb I’m actually most people would be freaked

actually most people would be freaked

actually most people would be freaked out by this but I’m at my most restful

out by this but I’m at my most restful

out by this but I’m at my most restful when I’m sitting at my workbench working

when I’m sitting at my workbench working

when I’m sitting at my workbench working to me it’s a very calming thing and

to me it’s a very calming thing and

to me it’s a very calming thing and people say well where do you get the

people say well where do you get the

people say well where do you get the patience for this there so it’s real

patience for this there so it’s real

patience for this there so it’s real simple I don’t go to meetings I don’t

simple I don’t go to meetings I don’t

simple I don’t go to meetings I don’t answer the phone and I never write memos

you know all artists that all craftsman

you know all artists that all craftsman have a thing about their tools and I’m

have a thing about their tools and I’m

have a thing about their tools and I’m no different when I was 15 I worked in a

no different when I was 15 I worked in a

no different when I was 15 I worked in a hardware store and I used to bring home

hardware store and I used to bring home

hardware store and I used to bring home half my paycheck in screwdrivers and

half my paycheck in screwdrivers and

half my paycheck in screwdrivers and pliers and later I built miniatures of

pliers and later I built miniatures of

pliers and later I built miniatures of tools I still do this is a little tool

tools I still do this is a little tool

tools I still do this is a little tool chest I made everything in it and it all

chest I made everything in it and it all

chest I made everything in it and it all works that saw has teeth you can’t see

works that saw has teeth you can’t see

works that saw has teeth you can’t see them there’s 160 teeth to the edge but

them there’s 160 teeth to the edge but

them there’s 160 teeth to the edge but you can feel them and things like the

you can feel them and things like the

you can feel them and things like the plane actually works and I have a whole

plane actually works and I have a whole

plane actually works and I have a whole dish of these on my workbench that I use

dish of these on my workbench that I use

dish of these on my workbench that I use all the time I mean how else am I gonna

all the time I mean how else am I gonna

all the time I mean how else am I gonna play in a little piece of wood but tools

play in a little piece of wood but tools

play in a little piece of wood but tools are more than just funny little things

are more than just funny little things

are more than just funny little things you know I think some there’s a 17th

you know I think some there’s a 17th

you know I think some there’s a 17th century hand vise and when I’m using

century hand vise and when I’m using

century hand vise and when I’m using this I think of a musician playing a

this I think of a musician playing a

this I think of a musician playing a Stradivarius violin he’s making art with

Stradivarius violin he’s making art with

Stradivarius violin he’s making art with art and I get something from using these

art and I get something from using these

art and I get something from using these old tools there’s an energy from them

old tools there’s an energy from them

old tools there’s an energy from them and the store has started when when I

and the store has started when when I

and the store has started when when I was first starting to build miniatures I

was first starting to build miniatures I

was first starting to build miniatures I was at a flea market and I bought a

was at a flea market and I bought a

was at a flea market and I bought a watchmakers tool catalog to the 1920s

watchmakers tool catalog to the 1920s

watchmakers tool catalog to the 1920s for $2 and I wanted everything in it and

for $2 and I wanted everything in it and

for $2 and I wanted everything in it and I sort of did that but I had no idea

I sort of did that but I had no idea

I sort of did that but I had no idea that was going to cost me hundreds of

that was going to cost me hundreds of

that was going to cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next 40

thousands of dollars over the next 40

thousands of dollars over the next 40 years and I amassed a huge tool

years and I amassed a huge tool

years and I amassed a huge tool collection and now I’ll end things to

collection and now I’ll end things to

collection and now I’ll end things to places like the Smithsonian my workshop

places like the Smithsonian my workshop

places like the Smithsonian my workshop is a mixture of new and old tools and

is a mixture of new and old tools and

is a mixture of new and old tools and when I say new we have to put that in

when I say new we have to put that in

when I say new we have to put that in sort of perspective because the newest

sort of perspective because the newest

sort of perspective because the newest machine down here is from 1968

machine down here is from 1968

machine down here is from 1968 there’s no CNC computer driven there’s

there’s no CNC computer driven there’s

there’s no CNC computer driven there’s no 3d printers nothing like that to me

no 3d printers nothing like that to me

no 3d printers nothing like that to me those tools have no soul so I don’t use

those tools have no soul so I don’t use

those tools have no soul so I don’t use them I’m old school and I’m so old

them I’m old school and I’m so old

them I’m old school and I’m so old school that when the National Park

school that when the National Park

school that when the National Park Service wanted to restore Thomas Edison

Service wanted to restore Thomas Edison

Service wanted to restore Thomas Edison and the Wright brothers workshop they

and the Wright brothers workshop they

and the Wright brothers workshop they came to me because I used the same tools

came to me because I used the same tools

came to me because I used the same tools they do so I helped with that

when I was the kid I was looking through

when I was the kid I was looking through the glass pushed you know at the objects

the glass pushed you know at the objects

the glass pushed you know at the objects now the museum’s take them off display

now the museum’s take them off display

now the museum’s take them off display and say do you want to see this and

and say do you want to see this and

and say do you want to see this and handle it so I’ve been really fortunate

handle it so I’ve been really fortunate

handle it so I’ve been really fortunate to get to handle some of the most

to get to handle some of the most

to get to handle some of the most amazing objects in the world and this is

amazing objects in the world and this is

amazing objects in the world and this is a 300 year old ivory turning and I’m

a 300 year old ivory turning and I’m

a 300 year old ivory turning and I’m fascinated by these they were done on a

fascinated by these they were done on a

fascinated by these they were done on a machine called a rose engine I had to

machine called a rose engine I had to

machine called a rose engine I had to have one this one I had FedEx from Paris

it’s like a three-dimensional spirograph

it’s like a three-dimensional spirograph it’s a lot of fun

it’s a lot of fun

it’s a lot of fun I made this Wasel Bowl with it fancy

I made this Wasel Bowl with it fancy

I made this Wasel Bowl with it fancy name for a punch bowl it’s about an inch

name for a punch bowl it’s about an inch

name for a punch bowl it’s about an inch and a half high this is in the Art

and a half high this is in the Art

and a half high this is in the Art Institute of Chicago you know what I’ve

Institute of Chicago you know what I’ve

Institute of Chicago you know what I’ve learned in all doing this I like to

learned in all doing this I like to

learned in all doing this I like to share and I love to teach people how to

share and I love to teach people how to

share and I love to teach people how to do things and try to get them to do what

do things and try to get them to do what

do things and try to get them to do what they thought was impossible in this

they thought was impossible in this

they thought was impossible in this thing I’ve had with museums all my life

thing I’ve had with museums all my life

thing I’ve had with museums all my life has just been so much fun a few years

has just been so much fun a few years

has just been so much fun a few years ago the Nelson borrowed some pieces that

ago the Nelson borrowed some pieces that

ago the Nelson borrowed some pieces that I had made and one was this little box

I had made and one was this little box

I had made and one was this little box I love making boxes my mother did the

I love making boxes my mother did the

I love making boxes my mother did the needlepoint on it and I built the box

needlepoint on it and I built the box

needlepoint on it and I built the box and I teased her I said who would have

and I teased her I said who would have

and I teased her I said who would have thought the needlepoint you did at your

thought the needlepoint you did at your

thought the needlepoint you did at your dining room table would be ennum you in

dining room table would be ennum you in

dining room table would be ennum you in the little box your kid built the

the little box your kid built the

the little box your kid built the basement would be in a museum with

basement would be in a museum with

basement would be in a museum with famous paintings on the wall with the

famous paintings on the wall with the

famous paintings on the wall with the guiding things of gold jewel box but the

guiding things of gold jewel box but the

guiding things of gold jewel box but the guiding thing about what I do is each

guiding thing about what I do is each

guiding thing about what I do is each piece has to be better in some way than

piece has to be better in some way than

piece has to be better in some way than whatever you did before you never do the

whatever you did before you never do the

whatever you did before you never do the same you have to do better and people

same you have to do better and people

same you have to do better and people often ask me will what’s your favorite

often ask me will what’s your favorite

often ask me will what’s your favorite piece we’ll the answer is always the

piece we’ll the answer is always the

piece we’ll the answer is always the same my favorite piece is the next piece

same my favorite piece is the next piece

same my favorite piece is the next piece I do I just have to get better

I do I just have to get better

I do I just have to get better the latest box I’ve done was this Dutch

the latest box I’ve done was this Dutch

the latest box I’ve done was this Dutch strongbox

strongbox

strongbox there’s hundreds of pieces of marquetry

there’s hundreds of pieces of marquetry

there’s hundreds of pieces of marquetry of which 80% is covered over with the

of which 80% is covered over with the

of which 80% is covered over with the fancy brasses it sits on a base by my

fancy brasses it sits on a base by my

fancy brasses it sits on a base by my friend Lloyd McCaffrey and when you

friend Lloyd McCaffrey and when you

friend Lloyd McCaffrey and when you unlock it it’s filled with secret

unlock it it’s filled with secret

unlock it it’s filled with secret compartments and little drawers the last

compartments and little drawers the last

compartments and little drawers the last piece I’m going to show you is this

piece I’m going to show you is this

piece I’m going to show you is this microscope

microscope

microscope and this was made of pure gold and the

and this was made of pure gold and the

and this was made of pure gold and the barrel is Chagrin which is sharkskin and

barrel is Chagrin which is sharkskin and

barrel is Chagrin which is sharkskin and it’s a copy from one that pests malt

it’s a copy from one that pests malt

it’s a copy from one that pests malt made for Louis the 15th and all of the

made for Louis the 15th and all of the

made for Louis the 15th and all of the royal courts had people called

royal courts had people called

royal courts had people called mechanisms which in a sense is what I am

mechanisms which in a sense is what I am

mechanisms which in a sense is what I am and it has nothing to do with car

and it has nothing to do with car

and it has nothing to do with car mechanics they didn’t have cars it’s

mechanics they didn’t have cars it’s

mechanics they didn’t have cars it’s it’s about mechanics and engineering art

it’s about mechanics and engineering art

it’s about mechanics and engineering art and science all rolled into one and

and science all rolled into one and

and science all rolled into one and that’s what I do and to me part of the

that’s what I do and to me part of the

that’s what I do and to me part of the whole thing of doing these miniatures is

whole thing of doing these miniatures is

whole thing of doing these miniatures is the discovery of how and figuring out

the discovery of how and figuring out

the discovery of how and figuring out how to make these and one of the things

how to make these and one of the things

how to make these and one of the things I learned in this you can’t polish pure

I learned in this you can’t polish pure

I learned in this you can’t polish pure gold if you do you touch it and it goes

gold if you do you touch it and it goes

gold if you do you touch it and it goes flat and I read the old text and it said

flat and I read the old text and it said

flat and I read the old text and it said you burnish it with the tooth of a wolf

you burnish it with the tooth of a wolf

you burnish it with the tooth of a wolf I was fresh out of wolves however

I was fresh out of wolves however

I was fresh out of wolves however however I had my puppy’s teeth as she

however I had my puppy’s teeth as she

however I had my puppy’s teeth as she lost them and dropped them around the

lost them and dropped them around the

lost them and dropped them around the house I picked them up and this was

house I picked them up and this was

house I picked them up and this was burnished with puppy’s teeth so this

burnished with puppy’s teeth so this

burnished with puppy’s teeth so this world of discovery to me is all very

world of discovery to me is all very

world of discovery to me is all very very personal and really in these last

very personal and really in these last

very personal and really in these last 40 years

40 years

40 years well all I’ve really been doing is

well all I’ve really been doing is

well all I’ve really been doing is making beautiful objects to keep

making beautiful objects to keep

making beautiful objects to keep people’s eyes happy thank you very much