F.F.E.M.A

I live close to a wooded area of Como Park that was heavily damaged during the derecho back in July. Many trees were topped, and some were uprooted. At the time, I marveled at the change. It was a whole new playground. Now that the leaves have passed, the emptiness is much more apparent.

Having already made a creative investment in a small piece of property within the park, I decided to start making improvements. Four months late, and F.F.E.M.A was born.

Sure, hundreds, if not thousands, of birds remain homeless. However, as time progresses I'll install more boxes in the area.

#28-33 The Executive Suite

The Executive Suite was a commission of six boxes. The client stipulated 'clean lines, easy care, and something cottage like or town home.' I did some research and was really inspired by mid century and modern town home designs.

Each box is sourced from a variety of woods, both clean and aged. Every piece was sanded and oiled at least twice to bring out the natural warmth of the grains. The facades were oiled three times. All screws are countersunk except for the swivel lock on the back. Black walnut trims out a 1 1/2" portal ideal for a blue bird of happiness. An angled hole is drilled in the back of each for easy hanging (not pictured).

Salvaged wood and knobs, purchased hinges.

Executive Suite facade and swivel locking mechanism.

The facades being oiled and arranged. 

My First Show

On November 10th I participated in my first vendor show at The Grange Audubon Metro Park...pretty appropriate, if you ask me.

It was a beautiful day, and I had a prime spot with the city skyline in the background.

And, the compliments!

"...a lot of talent and imagination."

"Beautiful presentation. 

"Very cool!"

While the sales weren't high, the energy and encouragement were. I even pulled a commission. More on that in the next round.

#27 Open Faced Sandwich

#27 Open Faced Sandwich

One spindle of roast beef, and a board of Swiss cheese just isn't complete without a handful of bird seed or a chunk of dry bread. Go on, feed the beasts.

Palette wood, trim, chair spindles, bed railing and plexiglass. Angled nail mount on back, with stabilizer hole at the bottom.

$50

#25 John

#25 John


This is a rehab unit. The previous book facade didn't weather well, and had to be scrapped. After the cross came down I struggled to find a suitable replacement. This panel was begging for use.

Two screws remove the face for clean out. The two nails guide and support the new addition.


$75

Pre rehab

#25 High Tide

#25 High Tide


This beach house is 100% safe from flooding... if you hang it high enough.

Life preserver and shark were pulled from the mighty Olentangy. The body and bobber were found snagged at Griggs Reservoir.

The back is unattached, held on by the nylon rope and a slide bolt mounted to the upper boardwalk.

$85

SOLD

No. 1

This one's a very special piece.

No. 1 was presented on what would have been Ian's 16th birthday. It was installed on his memorial tree at a local school. The entire box was crafted from Ian's personal belongings.

No. 1, is stamped on the box, the scrabble pieces, and relates to lineage.

The baseline of the A is uplifted, and doubles as support for the perch (a mate straw). Chains may always be interpreted as bondage: family, love, earth. In this case they not only hold the box to the tree, but frame out the facade while holding the door closed (should the tiny latch fail). The sprinkler is inverted so as to act as a crown, which seemed appropriate with the word Viking on it.

The harmonica may not be a Bose sound system, but if the wind blows in the right direction...
Most of the items were painted in white and silver to unify and protect them. The interior of the cigar box was rubbed with Linseed oil.

Commissioned

#24 Shabby Shack

#24 Shabby Shack

The Shabby Shack used to be shiny. As the City grew up around it the grime took hold. Now, only one spot fails to yield!

This pre-fab cabinet was found at a thrift store. I drilled the hole, distressed the paint, and added some broken trim and skids. A new floor was cut and oiled to give extra weight to the bottom. Hinged front door with magnet catch, hanging loop on roof

$45

#23 The Manor

#23 The Manor

Mounted and raised, as any fine thing should be, The Manor is built upon hinges and brass. The exterior has been oiled and trimmed.

Most of this construct was found in a single location. The hinges were a gift from my neigbor, and the handles are from a set of drawers that I recently gave to a friend so that he could build a colony nest with them.

Hinged roof, solid back.

$175

SOLD

#22 The Sleepy Owl

#22 The Sleepy Owl

This drowsy predator would love to have two families brooding in his belly.

The body and eyebrows are made from a board found outside a Vet's office in Alexandria, Oh (pop. >100!). The front feathers were pulled from a pallet stamped Hecho En Mexico.

Hung via pipe clamps and rope, single door in the back for dual chamber access.

$200

SOLD

#21 The Oracle Knows

#21 The Oracle Knows

The eye is a powerful portal, yet a delicate thing.

The body is made from what appears to be crib railing, while the facade is fencing and trim adorned with steel pulled from the Olentangy river.

Small door in the back, with built in swivel lock.

$80

#20 The Cocked Hat

#20 The Cocked Hat

Formerly, Rear Admiral (and for a very short time The Poop Deck), this "private" Naval Officer's Club has gone through a lot of hands.

A solid body, with a lot of trim.

$100

SOLD

Now Vending!

With the way the numbers have been coming up lately, you'd think I was crazy.

You'd be right.

I decided to participate in my first vending experience, and will be attending the Grange Audubon Metro Park's 3rd Annual Holiday Shop Around.

Here's my card.

Lots of never before seen birdhouses. I hope to see you there!

#18 Buck-Eye In The Sky Flight School

#18 Buck-Eye In The Sky Flight School
Co-Ed Dorms

One board was used to make both bodies, knots were forced in to natural entries. A tailgate netted some very appropriate beer caps that really finished off the set.

$225

#19 The Ice Box

#19 The Ice Box

This frigid, all white construct could have easily become gaudy. I was told it was done (twice) before I even thought I'd started.

The interior is deeper than normal, but comes with a built in ladder for better gripping on entry and exit.

Made from a drawer, a cabinet door, spindles, a bed railing, nylon rope and hardware. Interior magnet lock.

$175

F.F.E.M.A Installation

#16 The Bar Maide

It seems I missed moving this project forward when it was finished.

Bar Maide

I didn't find this in an alley. It was a cheap thrift store pick up. Clean, raw wood with a little glue on the leg. It was practically new.

I hit it with a finishing sander and the sponge before coating heavily in some home made chalk paint. (plaster of paris and a mis-tint blue). When that was dry, I went over it roughly with a dark green wash. The seat received an additional coat of full strength green before the whole stool was sanded again.

After sanding, the stool was stained in Ebony. Sorry, no pic of this middle stage.

When the stencil work was dry, I distressed the seat. The legs were sanded lightly before I covered the entire chair in one coat of neutral wax, while the seat received two more coats of dark.

My girlfriend stuck a flag on it, but graciously handed over her old, rickety one.

#17 ♠ The Noble Suit

#17 ♠ The Noble Suit

When the grass is greener, go to war over it! The spade, or leaf, also represents luck.

Created as a hair piece for a photo shoot, this bird house is full size, but not fully functional. (there's no way to retrieve the nest)

Salvaged wood, bark, steel mesh, tacks, apple bag, candy dish, playing cards. Sprayed, stained and oiled.

$175

#15 The Ledge Buffet

#15 The Ledge Buffet

No bird feeder is complete without a carrying handle and length of rope. Entertain the whole flock, or just a few of your closest friends on nearly three feet of edible surface area.

NSFS
(not safe from squirrels)

Salvaged wood, hardware, found rope.

$125

#14 Raising Grain

#14 Raising Grain

Furled and patinated copper cap this smoky abode. The two perch system allows for a stylish back up to be revealed once weather finally reclaims the front piece.

All panels individually braised and brushed.

Hinged roof for nest access.

Salvaged wood, hardware, copper, drift wood, fire

$125

SOLD

#13 The High Noon Saloon

#13 The High Noon Saloon

This shared business space features a bar, brothel, and roof top dining. Discreet side entrance for upstairs action. Free cable.

Perch, and roof are removable for nest access.

Salvaged wood, steel, hardware, copper, bone

$175

#12 The Asylum

#12 The Asylum

Recently outfitted with a state of the art security system!

The entry features a serrated fence, bound with soft copper chains and fastened with a genuine WoodNloc™.

Expanded steel mesh siding deters bad behavior. Lever on bottom allows you to slip out the back.

Salvaged wood, steel, copper, plastic, key, sap

$150

Abandonded

#11 Castle Lath

#11

The Bond of Spring loosely connects the Four Cardinals to Castle Lath. The failure of one could result in the castle falling from the sky.

1 1/4" hole; reclaimed wood, steel, copper, hinged back for nest removal, nylon rope; 48" tall, 8" outer 6" inner diameter.

Dramatic lighting not included.

$200

SOLD

#10 The Dine Inn, Bed and Breakfast

#10 The Dine Inn,  Bed and Breakfast

Love birds fly in from all around to stay in this comfy one room guest house. Worms are served early, but the outdoor buffet is open all day.

Fancy plastic forks, free range spoon, salvaged wood, steel can, glass electric insulator, acrylic paint, 2¢.

Handle mount on rear. Roof is removed with a single screw. Insulator holds 1/2 cup bird feed.

$75

SOLD!

#9 At Home With The Partridge Family

#9 At Home With The Partridge Family

For the song bird in you! This efficiency features a Sunrise entry way flanked by cork sentries. The private side yards are perfect for parties. Have some friends over, and turn up the music!

Four screws removes roof for nest access.

Record, wood, cork, polyurethane on cardboard, steel can, hardware.

$75

#8 Theology Today : Renewal In Dogma

#8 Theology Today : Renewal In Dogma

I have faith that you will just A Dore this private, one-roomed theology school. Brass urns on either side of the entry hold seasonal arrangements so you can spruce up the yard in Spring.

A little prying with a flathead screwdriver placed near the second O in Theology (on the spine of the book) will remove the facade for easy nest access. There are four guides to help get the book back on.

Salvaged wood, brass fittings, book, flashing, gel medium. 

$85

Update: Even though the book had waterproofing applied, the facade began to mold. Classes have been postponed until the bake sale can raise enough dough to have the entryway replaced.

#7 Wrenching the Ranch

#7 Wrenching the Ranch

This loft condo was created from salvage taken from and around the ruins of the former Columbus Crankshaft Grinding Co. Rail waste and wood fencing make up the rest.

Hinged roof.

$85

#6 The Word

#6 The Word

The Word is uplifting. It binds us and protects us.

The body of the house is made from reclaimed fencing, while many of the steel and wood details were found along a rail line

The back is hinge and pin for easy nest removal. 24x10x10

$225Donated to a silent auction to benefit To Write Love On Her Arms

#5 The Little Residence

#5 The Little Residence

Made mostly of grape crates from Via Vecchia Winery, and left over moulding from all kinds of places. The flower box in front comes with two perches and the ability to arrange your own with whatever happens to fall from the sky.

Sleigh rails guide a drawer for easy nest removal.

SOLD!

#4 The Homestead (General Store)

#4 The Homestead (General Store)

SOLD!

#3 Corn Fed

#3 Corn Fed

A gutter spike acts as the perch and locking mechanism for the hinged gate. Salvaged moulding and lathe.

SOLD!

#2 Outdoor Plumbing

#2 Outdoor Plumbing Bushes were added as details to help enhance the outhouse feel. The roof is salvaged moulding, and is hinged for nest removal.

SOLD!

#1 Spring

#1 Spring

My first birdhouse. Very post modern, very bright, and very little wood waste. Tinted with red wine.

SOLD!