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News
Home   News   October News from the Shop

October News from the Shop

by Trish LeHay October 01, 2020

October News from the Shop - LeHays Shaker Boxes

Greetings, my name is Trish. I’m going to be blogging for Rob so that he can continue to focus his time, talents, and energy on creating Shaker boxes and carriers.

We are enjoying a beautiful, mild autumn so far here in Embden, Maine. The trees are turning rusty reds, golds, and oranges. The days are crisp and refreshing.

Shaker Carrier, LeHay's Shaker Boxes
#0 Carrier in color gray overlooking Embden Pond
Rob is busy in the shop getting boxes and carriers ready to fulfill the next round of orders and as always, he will list several on Etsy.
Rob LeHay, LeHay's Shaker Boxes

Rob with #10 & #12 boxes, ready for the finishing touches

There are several steps (an astonishing number actually) to making these boxes and carriers. Each month I will feature a few steps in the process. It just so happens that Rob recently completed the first handful of steps.

Offloading Maple Logs for Shaker Boxes, LeHay's Shaker Boxes

Finding the perfect maple and pine logs. These logs will be milled into boards that are 1/8” thick for the maple bands and 3/8” thick for the pine tops and bottoms.

Sawing logs for Lehay's Shaker Boxes

The talented sawyer, Dave quartersaws this huge pine log down to 3/8” thick boards. Many, many, many boards.

Drying lumber for LeHay's Shaker Boxes

Stacking the lumber in the dry kiln. Rob just received a fresh load of maple and pine which is drying now. These will be next year’s boxes!

I realize it’s a little early but I wanted to let everyone know that November’s Etsy will bring #10 and #12 boxes in color Antique Natural, #0 and #1 carriers in various colors and several other items just in time for the holidays! 

If you have a LeHay’s Shaker Box and would like to share a photo with us (possibly for future blog post!), we’d love that. See you next month and as always thank you for supporting small business!!

Fun Facts

Did you know….. the Shakers numbered more than just their boxes. They numbered rooms in their houses (!) to help keep domestic life in order. They also numbered the chairs they made. Interestingly, the chairs were numbered 0 (smallest) to 7 (largest) but the boxes were the opposite being numbered 1 (largest) to 11 (smallest). At some point in time, the numbering of the boxes was changed so that the smallest number coincided with the smallest box and upward from there which is how they are numbered today. *

*Information taken from Shaker Museum, Mount Lebanon: www.shakerml.wordpress.com



Trish LeHay
Trish LeHay

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10 Responses

Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson

November 24, 2020

With a small lehays shaker box, made a God Box. Glued, inside top rim, a ribbon on top. Attached tag to ribbon “God Box”. Small pieces of paper, small pencil inside for prayers, etc. My sister said it is her all time favorite gift, forever, Thank you, Mr Lehays.

Sue
Sue

October 05, 2020

I bought 2boxes and put 2 of my crossstitch pieces on them and gave to my girls they just loved them

Anne Marie Carr
Anne Marie Carr

October 02, 2020

I am “on the list” for a couple of items once you are able to catch up. I would love to hear more about how stitchers use your products – what designs fit what boxes and how they use your trays for their tools. Looking forward to supporting such a quality product!

Julie Johnston
Julie Johnston

October 02, 2020

I was first introduced to Rob from his parents at the Better Living Building in West Springfield. They made furniture and had boxes there as well. I am so happy for his success and so looking forward in these blogs and doing business as well. Hope parents are still in his life and love them and miss seeing them over the years. Such a wonderful family,

LaNelle
LaNelle

October 02, 2020

Love reading the blog! Welcome Trish, look forward to more 😁🌻

Debbie
Debbie

October 01, 2020

I had no idea that somewhere along the way the box sizes reversed. Very interesting! Thanks for keeping us informed!

Audrey D.
Audrey D.

October 01, 2020

Love hearing the process of how the boxes are made and am looking forward to receiving future copies of the blog.

Midge Kwiatkowski
Midge Kwiatkowski

October 01, 2020

Love your blog. Great information. I just ordered two items for Rob and can’t wait to get them. His work is amazing.

Pam McCarthy
Pam McCarthy

October 01, 2020

Loved your blog and the information about how the boxes are made. I have a complete stack of boxes that I enjoy and use for storing my cross stitch.

Brenda
Brenda

October 01, 2020

I enjoyed reading your first blog and seeing how your wonderful artwork begins. The Shakers have always interested me.

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LeHay's Shaker Boxes
161 Station Road
Embden, Maine 04958
207-672-6143
robert@lehays.com

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