A New Year's Evolution.

[Sam Blasco]

Deep in the art of Texas, pecan trees and mesquite smokers frolik in the rolling hills, and a sleepy little town of 4000 is about to see its population grow by 3. Smithville.

Hello all. It's been awhile since I have had any chance to post anything, mainly because my time has been consumed with packing up my shop to get it ready for another move. The machines' caravan happens this Saturday, for any who care to help, and the rest of my junk follows next weekend. The time has come to sharpen my planes and make a steady stream of bee's wings and other various shavings, chips and dust. My wife and I started a quest two years ago for the town we wanted to raise our son in, a town that would also look like a good spot for a shop. After visiting several spots several times we settled on Smithville and bought a 3000 sq/ft building on Main Street for the shop and a small house on "The Hill" for a domicile, a mere 15 minute walk between the two. The town is full of antique shops and a few artisans, is situated between Austin and Houston and gets a fairly regular stream of weekenders. A friend described it this way to me, "It looks like Mayberry." It was a boom town in the first part of the last century and is now in the midst of a revival, actively looking to become a haven to artists and writers, but still feels a bit like a ghost town. My building was the old pharmacy and we have been renting it to antique dealers until this month. It is an empty chalk board now, but by March I hope to have the basic outline drawn for my studio shop and classroom, Samantics Squared (my Miami shop was Samantics) and the "Antics will be made here." I'll do my best to post some progress stuff and if you would like to tour the empty space go here:

http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n...hville%20Shop/

See ya'll later, Andy...

[Rennie Heuer]

Wow (drool drool) what a great (drool) space! (Drool) I assume you will post periodic pics as the machinery rolls in and gets placed?

Best of luck with the move!

[Jeff Bower]

Sam, jealousy would be an understatement. Please do keep us updated. I've been to Smithville on a driving vacation about 4 years ago. I can't remember if we stopped there or just drove through...will defintely stop if we go that way again. Congrats.

[joe blankshain]

Congrats on the new location Sam. I hope all goes well with the move and if I was closer I would show up to assist. Hope the family is able to settle in quickly so you can get to generating money. Please keep us updated on your progress.

[Bob Spare]

May you be blessed with your new venture.

[Mohammad Madha]

Yep, I am drooling as well. But then again, I drool looking at anyone's shop.

[Stuart Ablett]

Hey Sam.................... "YOU SUCK!!"

Next time you are in the VOID, measure off 10' x 23' and then you will feel my pain

You have 10 times the space I do

Good for your, best of luck with everything!

[Jim DeLaney]

Wow, that's huge! I'm assuming it'll eventually be broken up a bit, with the shop towards the rear, and a show room up front? Or do you intend to keep it all open so your prospective clients can watch you work?

That wall of pre-existing shelving looks like a great start towards small tool and hardware storage. Having that will probably save you several weeks of work in building new.

Great shop potential. Best of luck with the new venture!

[Larry Heflin]

Congratulations! I went to a friend's wedding there last year at one of the bed and breakfast establishments. If you don't mind me asking, are you still with MiniMax? I was struggling with some adjustments on my combo and seemed to be getting nowhere. I seriously considered giving you a call at the time. I had a hard time remembering some of the things you taught at the combo seminar a while back. I took lousy notes. I look forward to the updates on your new shop.

Larry

[Norman Hitt]

Looks like a FINE setup Sam, and a nice little community too. The LOML and I toured that area when I first came back from Europe, and we were considering a move and a business change. We liked the area but didn't find a viable business situation to get into there at that time, (and unfortunately bought into a "Looser" back here instead). It should be a good location for your endeavor, with it's proximity to the large population areas, but still Quiet enough to minimize disruptions and distractions. Best of Luck to you and your Family on the new venture.

I'm also curious as to whether you will still be connected to MiniMax or strictly into your new Venture. I still hope to get back down that way and meet you in person one of these days since we have conversed on the forums long before you made the move from Fla. I'll look forward to seeing the shop buildup progress.

Incidentally, I see that you have started your "apprentice" out properly, (learning to do proper shop cleanup). And a Fine looking apprentice he is too.