Monday, October 14, 2024

LAP Food Tour & More Exeter Hammers This Week

The Food Tour You've Been Waiting For & Honest Thoughts About ACRE

A quick look at all the stuff Lost Art Press published during the last seven days.

We're coming off a busy weekend – Megan taught a Dutch tool chest class for The Chairmaker's Toolbox at the Willard storefront while Chris assembled Exeter hammers at Anthe. As Megan recovers from her busy weekend I'll be heading to Anthe to assemble even more hammers. And Chris – well, he's always up to something. Here's last week at a glance.


Lost Art Press Blog


A Cheat Sheet for 'Principles of Design'

Interested in our latest release "Principles of Design" but can't find the time to read it? Chris whipped up a paraphrased cheat sheet of the book with you in mind. He offers a free download of key design principles in this post.


Jaws

With how often we use our carver's vises, it's no wonder why replacing the jaws are common shop maintenance around here. I write about and give a visual step-by-step guide as to how we do it.


The Lost Art Press Food Tour

It's no secret: If you've taken any class at Lost Art Press then you're well aware of how obsessed we are with good food  and how we love sharing our obsession with others. Consider this our official (as of October 2024) food guide to the area. Next time you visit us, give some of these suggestions a try.


The American Peasant Substack


Decide You Are Not Done

Can swimming practice make a better woodworker? Chris says yes – or, at least it worked for him. Read how in this post.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


Earlywood: Making Things Hard/Easy

There are seemingly endless approaches to teaching woodworking. Chris weighs the "hard" approach vs. the "easy" approach through the lens of how he's been taught and how he teaches.

(Free for everyone)


Exeter Update (More Hammers Tomorrow)

Assembling our new Exeter Hammers has come with numerous unforeseen challenges. Here, Chris shares several lessons learned during our manufacturing process.  

(Free for everyone)


The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack


Exeter Hammer Assembly – A Pressing Concern

You're right to wonder why we've been writing about our Exeter hammers so dang much. As it turns out, it's been taking up a lot of our time, about three minutes per hammer to be exact. In this post I give a behind-the-scenes look at what our hammer assembly procedure looks like.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


The Only Thing to Fear is Dull

"Many beginning woodworkers are fearful of sharpening. Yes, they're afraid that they'll make the edge worse with their efforts. Or that they will fail to get a sharp edge…." "We are not permitting Kale to pass through this fearful phase."

Chris writes about conditioning me to sharpening via exposure therapy.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


Never Sponsored Substack


ACRE for Furniture? – Probably Not

Is ACRE – a manufactured wood substitute – a viable alternative for chair arm bending? Chris experiments and writes about his findings.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


– Kale Vogt


On Instagram This Week

Another day, another cat picture. Wally lends a paw during my edge glue-up.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Digest oct 8

Lost Art Press Digest, Oct 8, 2024


The Hobbit-y Chair (from The Stick Chair Journal no. 2).


Lost Art Press Blog


Wood Kits for the Hobbit-y Chair & Comb-backs

If you've been yearning to make a Hobbit-y chair, or a six or seven-stick comb-back, but don't have access to good chair wood, Alexander Brothers has you covered with these kits. Highly recommended.


Holiday Open House: Chair Show & 'Dutch Tool Chests'

We're (metaphorically) throwing open our doors for the LAP Holiday Open House on Saturday. Nov. 23, and putting on a chair show while doing it. Plus (barring printer disasters) "Dutch Tool Chests" will be in stock, and I'll be on hand to sign copies. Plus we'll have cookies and mulled cider (and bourbon to put in it for those who choose to partake).


Sharp Angles & End Grain

In this excerpt from "Euclid's Door," learn about end-grain considerations as you lay out the sharp angles for a wooden 30:60:90 triangle.


Come See Us in London
Chris and I will be in London to teach classes at the end of October, then Kale is joining us for the London International Woodworking Festival Bazaar on Nov. 1-2. Come say hello (and learn about woodworking through demos, talks and trying out tools).


Flick That Switch

Cricket tables are an exploration of minimalism – and as you make one, you'll be one step closer to table perfection. Learn more in this excerpt from Derek Jones' book on the form.


The American Peasant Substack


Earlywood: 'Experto Crede'

Modern tools, process and benches are designed to make woodworking cheaper, easier and faster. But is that always the best thing for the craft? Or for your work specifically?

(Free for everyone)


Not Unnatural

"There is a class of woodworking that puts technicality over form. It favors shock, cleverness and a certain je ne sais impossible. When I see joints, inlay or surfaces that are astonishingly complex, uniform or smooth, I feel the opposite of awe. I take a step back and erase the super-sapiens aspect of the piece from my mind."

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack


Workspace Series: Dutch Tool Chest

Take a look inside Kale's tool chest in this series they've been writing about their various workspaces. Thus far, Kale has yet to french fit a thing – which I applaud. The less dedicated organization, the easier it is to reconfigure things as needed – and that's a good thing when one is still finding oneself as a woodworker.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


Never Sponsored Substack


The Band Saw Manifesto

It is not often we consider a catalog worth $9 – this one, from Iturra Design, is.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


Kreg Band Saw Fence

Even if your band saw comes with a stock fence, consider this easy-to-install, verstile upgrade.


On Instagram This Week

A small punch points Chris in the right direction.


Fitz


Follow Us

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Closeout on Large LAP shirts – $16

Closeout: Large LAP Logo Shirts for $16


New shirts are on the way. So we have to move these out. Gert them here.

Follow Us

Monday, September 30, 2024

Hammers, Spokeshaves & a Warehouse Tour

Hammers, Spokeshaves & a Warehouse Tour – Oh My!

A quick look at all the stuff Lost Art Press published during the last seven days.

Today marks the beginning of a busy week here at Lost Art Press. As Chris teaches another seven-stick comb-back class, Anthe lies in wait for the machine needed to assemble our new Exeter-pattern furniture-maker's hammers, which should be arriving tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a recap from last week.


Lost Art Press Blog


A How-To on Filing New Spokeshaves

Why does Chris consider filing down the mouth of a new spokeshave "common practice?" In this video blog, Chris explains why this tool modification is beneficial and demonstrates how he does it.


Shaker Stamps

This summer the U.S. Postal Service released 12 stamps commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first Shakers arriving in America. But why did it take four years for these stamps to be released? Kara Uhl writes about the fascinating story behind these stamps and how they came to be.


What is Anyone For?

Nancy Hiller's personality shines through this excerpt from her book "Shop Tails: The Animals Who Help Us Make Things Work." Get to know more of the story behind the beloved furniture maker, Nancy Hiller.


The American Peasant Substack


vs. Entropy

Chris grapples with the delicate balances he faces as a small business owner. To expand or to grow upon what you already have? Chris weighs his options here.  

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


Earlywood: Shaken Beliefs

At first glance, the ways of the Shakers aren't appealing to most. Celibacy? Alcohol-free? No, thanks. But when a visit to the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill unexpectedly entrances Chris, he changes his mind.

(Free for everyone)


Exeter Hammer Update 2

Turns out assembling our new Exeter-pattern furniture-maker's hammer is more complicated than anticipated. In this post, we share where we are in the process.

(For paid subscribers, with a free preview)


The Anarchist's Apprentice Substack


Workspace Series: Anthe Warehouse

In this new blog series kick-off, I chat about what a workday at our Anthe Warehouse looks like and provide a behind-the-scenes video tour of the building.

(Free for everyone)


Apprenticeship & Grunt Work

Apprenticeships nowadays aren't what they used to be, and maybe that's for the best, writes Chris. Then, he provides a tip for creating a sharp line between the seat and spindle deck when saddling a chair seat.

(Free for everyone)


Never Sponsored Substack


Metal Stick-on Measuring Tapes

Inspired by the workbench he inherited from his grandfather, Chris tries out a couple metal stick-on measuring tapes on his own benches. Which one do you like best?

(Free for everyone)


On Instagram This Week

This week's chair class is well underway and some friends have stopped by to help the students. These furry friends may be cute but don't let them fool you: These Beanie Babies mean business. On duty, do not pet!

Fed Rate Cut, Fannie Mae Projections, and Housing Market Outlook!

Big news from the Fed this past week—interest rates are dropping! On Wednesday 9/18, Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced a 0.50% rate cut, with more cuts likely before the year ends. Naturally, buyers and sellers are wondering: What does this mean for the housing market?


Let's dive in:


Instant Reactions: Fed Rate Cut, Fannie Mae Projections, and the Housing Market Outlook:


Fed Chair Jerome Powell discusses rate cuts and future monetary policy changes.

"The Housing market, its hard to game that out. The housing market is, in part, frozen because of lock-in, lower rates, people don't want to sell their home because they have very low mortgage, and it would be quite expensive to refinance." You can read full quote on AZREi.


With mortgage rates expected to drop significantly by year-end, we could see rates as low as 6.0%—and possibly 5.5% by 2025. Moody's chief economist, Mark Zandi, expects buyers to benefit from more affordable payments, but it's not all good news. Fannie Mae forecasts home sales will hit historic lows, with 2024 shaping up to be the toughest year for sales since 1995.


"NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun comments on the potential impact of rate cuts on home sales."

"The Feds half-point cut decision is the beginning of six to eight rounds of further rate cuts well into 2025. The very next cut will occur after the presidential election. The justification is cooling inflation in recent months and lighter job gains."


"Mortgage rates have already anticipated the feds likely path. That is why the 30-year rate has fallen by 150 basis points from earlier in the year to today. Any further decline in mortgage rates will be minimal." You can read full quote on AZREi.



So, what does this mean for you as a buyer or seller? Keep reading to find out how these changes could impact your next move in real estate.

Market Snapshot🎯August


Vs July

  • Inventory: 13,657 homes (+743 from July)

  • Sold: 4,359 homes (-406)

  • Median $/SF: $266.12 (-$1.29)

  • Months of Supply: 3.13 (+0.42)

  • Median Days on Market: 50 days (+3)

Head Start: Seize the Best Time of Year to Buy a Home or Condo: Now's Your Chance!


As we move into the fourth quarter of 2024, the Phoenix and Scottsdale markets present unique opportunities for homebuyers. Recent Fed rate cuts have brought mortgage rates down to around 6.2%, with the possibility of dipping below 6% by year-end. This shift, combined with motivated sellers eager to close deals for tax reasons, creates a perfect storm for buyers looking to snag a great deal. Builders are also pushing hard to offload inventory, offering huge discounts and mortgage rates as low as 4.99% on already built homes, making this a prime time for buying new construction.


Fewer buyers in the market during the holiday season mean less competition, giving you more leverage to negotiate favorable terms. While foreclosures in Maricopa County remain low, waiting for a market crash isn't the best strategy—deals are already happening now. With the right agent, you can navigate these unique market conditions and potentially score one of the best deals of the year. Whether you're looking at resale homes, condos, or taking advantage of builder incentives, don't wait for the new year to make your move—reach out today, and let's find you that perfect home for the holidays! Read the full post on AZREi!

60% of Arizona's Foreign Buyers Are from Canada, Eh! 🇨🇦


O Canada! The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) just released its 2024 report on international real estate transactions, and one stat stands out: 60% of Arizona's foreign buyers were from Canada. Eh, no kidding!

Key Highlights:

  • Foreign buyers purchased 54,300 homes in the U.S. from April 2023 to March 2024, contributing $42 billion to the market.

  • Arizona ranked as the 4th most popular state for foreign buyers, with 60% of them coming from Canada.

  • Canada, China, Mexico, and India topped the list of foreign buyers.


Arizona's sunny weather, affordability, and vibrant communities make it a top destination, especially for Canadians looking for second homes or winter getaways.


Want the full scoop? Read the full report on AZREi!

Arizona Foreclosure Auctions Surge While National Trends Wobble


The national real estate auction market is showing signs of cooling, with fewer buyers bidding on distressed properties like foreclosures and REOs due to an influx of regular homes for sale in cities like Miami and Denver. This has widened the gap between what buyers are willing to pay and what sellers are asking—a sign of growing market uncertainty. With a dip in demand and a cautious approach from investors, price growth in these markets could slow down or even decline.


Meanwhile, Arizona's foreclosure auction market is defying national trends, with a 31% increase in activity and a 14% rise in average property prices in the second quarter of 2024. Unlike other states, Arizona still sees strong demand for distressed properties, with buyers willing to pay a premium for limited inventory. This resilience could keep Arizona's market on a different path, even as national trends hint at a broader slowdown. For Arizonans, staying informed on both local and national market shifts is key to navigating this ever-changing landscape. Read the full report on AZREi!

Phoenix CRE Trends: End of 2024 Insights

As we head into the final stretch of 2024, the Greater Phoenix commercial real estate market is evolving rapidly. Here are some key highlights:

  • Medical Office: Phoenix leads the nation in medical office space growth, with over 517,000 sq. ft. leased in 2023. Demand is booming in areas like Queen Creek and North Phoenix due to population growth and the need for healthcare facilities.

  • Office Space: Companies are opting for high-quality, amenity-rich office spaces in Tempe and Scottsdale, while Class B and C buildings face vacancies unless repurposed.

  • Multifamily: While the multifamily sector has cooled, Phoenix still absorbed 20,000 units this year, ranking in the top three U.S. markets for permits.

  • Retail & Industrial: Retail continues to evolve, with drive-thru options becoming key post-pandemic. In industrial, power supply is now as critical as parking for businesses.


Want more details? Read the full update at AZREi!

Top Arizona Cities for Gen X Retirement: Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Peoria


As Gen X inches closer to retirement, Arizona is emerging as a top destination, offering a mix of affordability, safety, and community. According to a study by ChamberofCommerce.org, four Arizona cities rank among the best for Gen X retirees.

  • Gilbert, ranked 5th nationally, boasts a blend of affordability, safety, and a strong community vibe.

  • Scottsdale, known for its luxury and excellent healthcare, offers a high median household income and a vibrant social scene.

  • Chandler combines suburban comfort with urban amenities, providing a cost-friendly environment with a strong sense of community.

  • Peoria, with its small-town charm and the lowest median home prices among the four, offers affordable living and easy access to outdoor activities like boating and hiking at Lake Pleasant.


Arizona's appeal lies in its warm weather, active communities, and a range of lifestyle options for every type of retiree. Whether you're drawn to the luxury of Scottsdale, the affordability of Peoria, or the convenience of Chandler, these cities offer Gen Xers a chance to find the perfect balance for their golden years. If you're exploring retirement destinations, Arizona's diverse options make it a standout choice. So, which Arizona city would you choose for your retirement? Let me know in the comments and follow this blog for more insights in Arizona living! Read the full report on AZREi.

Current Scottsdale, Phoenix & Tempe Condo Market Report for August 2024: Shifting Toward Buyers 🛒🛍️


Welcome to the August 2024 Condo Market Report for Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe. Here's what you need to know:


Scottsdale Market:

  • Months' Supply: 5.62 (Balanced)

  • Inventory: +123.02% YoY

  • Median Days on Market: 65

  • Median Sold Price: $475,000

  • Key Insight: More inventory is giving buyers more options.


Phoenix Market:

  • Months' Supply: 6.07 (Leaning Buyer's Market)

  • Inventory: +212.89% YoY

  • Median Days on Market: 54

  • Median Sold Price: $314,950

  • Key Insight: Fast-rising inventory offers great deals for buyers.


Tempe Market:

  • Months' Supply: 3.94 (Balanced)

  • Inventory: +173.61% YoY

  • Median Days on Market: 40

  • Median Sold Price: $327,500

  • Key Insight: A balanced market but more opportunities for buyers soon.


Final Thoughts: Scottsdale is balanced, Phoenix is moving toward a buyer's market, and Tempe remains steady. Now's a great time to buy or sell. Contact PhxCondosForSale.com for expert advice, with commission rates starting at just 1.5%! Read the full report on AZREi.

First Look New Buyer Broker Agreement to Show Property Form.

Introducing the new Buyer Broker Agreement required to view any property! This important document, now mandatory under the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement case, ensures that buyers have dedicated representation when purchasing a home. Effective August 17th, buyers must sign this agreement before viewing any property, unless they choose to go directly to the seller's agent. Additionally, some sellers are now asking for this form to be signed as well. These changes help provide clarity and transparency, making your home-buying experience smoother and more informed.

IN OTHER NEWS

LAP Food Tour & More Exeter Hammers This Week

View this email in your browser The Food Tour You've Been Waiting For & Honest Thoughts About ACRE A quick look at all the...