Prepare to be amazed as you view the outstanding handiwork of The Master. Please note that Mike doesn't hold a large amount of stock in hand... Therefore, if you see something that you'd like to buy, then NOW is absolutely the best time to do so while it's still available. Mike also stocks some special pieces that may differ from the regular products available. The pricing of these special pieces will vary, and will be listed in the Special Pieces category as appropriate.
Mike sources the bark for these special pieces from along the side of a river when camping in the summer in Alberta. He then takes many hours to carve and bring life to each individual piece. You can see the lovely wood grain in the face, which has been sanded to make it nice and smooth. The outside border of the bark spirit is left in its natural bark state to give the piece an unusual and unique finish.
The small bark spirits are approximately 1 foot long, the medium are approximately 2 feet long, and the large are approximately 3 feet long.
Bark spirits are rapidly gaining in popularity, and can be hung up on a wall inside or outside. Mike gets many requests for sets of 3 bark spirits that can be hung up together, and his customers have commented that their bark spirits give them a sense of protection around the home.
Please view the Bark Spirit Gallery to see enlarged photos of these beautifully carved pieces
here »
Mike has a good range of hand carved belts that he sells at craft and motorcycle shows. There are designs styled for both men and women to wear.
Basket stamped belts are $75. Hand carved belts are $155. Hand carved belts w/dyed or antique finish, add $40. Hand carved belts w/stitched leather liner, add $40.
Please view the Belt Gallery to see enlarged photos of these exceptional pieces
here »
Entirely unique & magnificent pieces of distinction painstakingly hand crafted by The Master.
Click each photo below to view the specific grandfather clock gallery
»
'Beauty' Grandfather Clock
This Dark Oak Beauty was hand made by Mike, meticulously assembled piece-by-piece, with all the main trim and accents being beautifully hand carved.
With its higher than usual flowing swan neck top, it boasts a hand carved finial resting atop of the layered finial plinth. This distinctive piece is finished in a rich dark stain, and sealed with a high end furniture finish.
For the Heart and Soul of this Beauty, Mike has chosen a Hermle 8-day Triple Chime Cable Drive movement, which is truly the perfect clock movement for this piece. Not only that it’s made in Germany, but with an 8-day triple chime cable drive system that plays Westminster, Whittington and St Michael's chimes. This movement also has a slightly heavier construction, and the chimes can be silenced, and includes a night shut-off feature as well.
With its 10.5” brass pendulum, it is accented with twisted brass and straight stainless steel rods, for a nice rich sparkle.
Let’s not forget the Johann Jaeckle of the Black Forest, Dial, that features a solid brass see-through center, 14-carat gold plated corners, and embossed moon with edge half worlds and radial chime selector, that also features Roman Numerals -- another perfect piece for this Beauty.
Mike also added an internal light that illuminates the dial and clock movement etc. for those romantic evenings with that special someone. ;-)
Overall height, 7' 6" tall. Base Width, 22.5". Top width, 24". Base Depth, 14". Cabinet Depth, 13". Top Depth, 14.5".
Again this is a piece of furniture that truly brings SO MUCH life to any room or office, with it’s rich, dark finish, to it’s heart beating in the background, it is indeed a very special piece that could be proudly passed on from generation to generation. Secure it now before it’s gone!
Grandfather Clock
This masterpiece was built by Mike's mentor, Gilbert Sasseville. It was designed and meticulously created one piece at a time by this Master Craftsman.
Gilbert has only built 10 of these rounded case masterpieces, all different in appearance, but all equal in top quality craftsmanship. Mike was truly honoured to hand carve some leather inlay panels for this masterpiece.
This clock is made of solid Red Oak and featuring a Hermle 8-day Triple Chime Cable Drive movement that plays Westminster, Whittington, and St. Michael's Chimes, which can be selected or silenced.
Also featuring a 10.5 " Lyre Pendulum accented with twisted brass rods and an embossed center. The dial is a beautifully crafted Johann Jaeckle of the Black Forest. Lights were installed in the rounded cabinets to light up the special ornaments displayed. Ornaments that you can change with the seasons.
Gilbert also hand carved the scroll piece at the top of the clock, that adds a nice touch. Gilbert doesn't build too many more of these magnificent pieces as the hours and time involved in creating such a masterpiece are many, and he is busy with the countless other projects that he creates.
So this might be your only chance to own a rare piece of extraordinary furniture that you would most certainly be proud to own and pass on to that special person. Please click the photo to the left to see the gallery.
Work In Progress
This grandfather clock is similar in design to the one above. If you'd like to secure this when it's completed, please contact Mike for more information.
Mike is currently building 2 huge grandfather clocks with rounded china cabinets on each side. One of the clocks has an enormous amount of scroll work similar to the coat rack shown in the special pieces section to make it an exceptional piece.
Mike has a good range of hand carved and braided leatherware for man's (and woman's) best friend - dogs.
These are all items that are leftover from craft shows, so if there is something that you'd like that isn't listed here, please don’t hesitate to contact Mike to place a
custom order.
Please view the Dog Accessories Gallery to see enlarged photos of these beautiful pieces
here »
These beer holsters attach to a belt, and the leather lace wraps around the leg, like a gun holster. If you like your brewskis, and want to carry an extra 1 or 2, beer holsters are a real treat at any sort of outdoor event or camping trip etc. You can also carry a bottle of water or your favorite soda if you wish.
They're a great novelty at a party too... Buy a couple of these holsters, lend one to a friend, and see who really is the quickest draw in town.
As a saddlemaker for over 30 years, Mike usually makes custom saddles, but sometimes has special saddles for sale.
This one is a 15.5" roper, rawhide covered wood tree, hand carved 10/12 oz russet skirting leather with roughout hand tooled seat jockeys and fenders, and a stainless steel laced cantle and quilted seat. It comes with Montana silver and hoof pick holder, deep roper hand laced rawhide stirrups, and deep roper flank cinch. It's a real good looking, working saddle that would be a distinctive addition to any stable.
Entirely unique & magnificent pieces of distinction painstakingly hand crafted by The Master. You'd be proud to showcase any of these items in your home, or make them a truly memorable gift to remember.
Click on each photo below to see the gallery of associated photos
»
Hand Carved Bark Scroll Detailed Coat Rack
Mike couldn't wait to try out some scroll work on the bark he carves his 'Bark Spirits' on. His first piece of scroll work was around 14 inches long x 4 inches wide, and turned out so well that a happy customer purchased it as soon as he saw it... Mike noticed afterwards that he didn't get a chance to take a photo of it, so he created another special piece. This coat rack is Mike's second scrolled bark project. This time, he's giving everyone an even chance to own this masterpiece before it's quickly snapped up.
Mike created this beautiful coat rack out of a large piece of bark, and advises that there are many more hours of carving involved in doing this type of scroll work compared to the Bark Spirits... But he really enjoys doing scroll work. It measures 39 inches long x 4 1/2 inches wide, and includes 6 dowel hangers. This coat rack has an antique finish, and you should
view the coat rack gallery to zoom in and see up close how the scrolls seem to magically twist and wrap around the dowels. This is an exceptional piece that will beautify any home.
Hand Carved Leather Photo Album Cover
This beautifully detailed, hand carved photo album has an intricate flower, leaf and Scroll design that instantly attracts attention. It is another special piece, as it is the very album that Mike created his how to ebook for, How To Hand Carve A Leather Photo Album Cover.
These leather covered albums have always been very popular, with their deep, hand carved leather designs - to the beautiful, rich antique finish.
Showcasing that warm, luxurious feel and aroma of leather, these albums truly make an amazing gift for someone special, or for yourself, that will last and last... They can be used in your home or office to present those special photos that you would be very proud to show off.
Albums and Guest Books are made from vegetable tan skirting leather, and are available in several colours including russet, chestnut, burgundy, chocolate brown or black. Height, 11 1/4". Width, 8 3/4". Thickness, 3.5". Pages, 100. Photos, 400.
These photo album covers can also be utilised as a guest book for your home, office, or ranch etc. with your own company logo or brand design deeply hand carved on the outside or inside covers. Whatever idea you might have for any specialty piece, be sure to contact Mike and place a
custom order
as soon as possible, as he is often busy during the holidays.
If you have any questions at all about any of these products, please don't hesitate to contact me, and remember, you can always learn to make some of these products yourself from my how-to ebooks here. I also welcome your enquiries regarding custom made products here.
Sincerely,
Mike "Chaps" Simard
Saddlemaker & Master Leather Craftsman
