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ysabetwordsmithThese are the content notes for "Beautiful, Functional Objects."
"Woodworking matters. It’s more than a pastime or hobby -- being a woodworker means that you know the satisfaction and pride that comes from using your hands and mind to build beautiful, functional objects, and that you’re as interested in the process as the outcome. Amid the speed and chaos of the modern world, woodworking gives us a place where we can slow down, pay attention, and take the time to do things right."
-- Aimé Ontario Fraser, Your First Workshop: A Practical Guide to What You Really Need, 2005
"The Most Revolutionary Aspect" 10-20-21
Story Date: Monday, July 21, 2014
Summary: Oscar and Labib lead a discussion about tools for the Business Incubator.
"Now We Do Them for Fun" 3-2-22
Story Date: Saturday, January 10, 2015
Summary: Oscar, Ramon, and Labib interview woodworkers at the Business Incubator.
Kitt Beaulieu started out with two product lines, both affordable. Kitt-E-Kube is a modular system of cardboard cubes with holes in the sides, plus a few extras like tabletops. Kat Stax is made by cutting out flat pieces on a CNC machine and then fastening them together into 3D items.
Kitt-E-Kube is a modular system with cardboard cubes that have cutouts on some sides. Each cube typically has 2 large-hole sides, 1 small-hole side, 1 medium-hole side, and 2 solid sides; but other variations exist, including empty sides. The large holes allow cats to travel through the cubes, while the medium and small holes encourage them to play. The cubes and tops both come in various colors. This furniture can provide space for hiding, sleeping, or playing and can conceal an eating station or litterbox.
A rectangular dresser may be made with 6 cubes in tall or wide configurations.
The square dresser consists of 4 perforated cubes stacked vertically 2x2 with a rectangular top. In this configuration, a drawer cube or cabinet door cube may be included for storage space.
This coffee table is one example of Kitt-E-Kube modular furniture, in this case made from 4 perforated cubes and a large square top. (It is also possible to make a small coffee table with 2-3 cubes side-by-side and a rectangular top, or a larger one with more cubes.) The two cats are Vermont Shag Carpet Cats.
This end table has a cube with a square top. The books read: Nim Nadejdzie Lato, Stephen Hunter, and Jak Nie Zabic Swoich Roslin. It is also possible to make a tall end table by stacking two cubes.
The Kat Stax Two-Species Rocking Chair has a seat for humans and a space inside the rocking legs for cats.
The treat puzzle consists of an A-frame with two dowels, spacers, and a set of treat boxes. Each treat box is open at the top with one or two holes on the sides. Larger holes make the puzzle easier to solve or serve larger treats, while smaller holes make it harder or serve smaller treats. When cats bat at the treat boxes, they spin around the dowel, causing treats to fall out.
Shaped like an oblong fish, this cat bed is very popular.
These cat beds have slatted sides. The round one is 2 stories and the rectangular one is 3 stories.
A cat tree includes a scratching post to lift the enclosed portion off the floor. This one has 4 stories.
Katherine "Kat" Goto makes the Kat Slab line of two-species furniture along with cat-specific furniture for walls and ceilings.
This table has a cat nest and hole with a matching corner bench, and you can also see a cat tree and nesting seats.
This queen-size bed has an underbed cat maze. This maze can be constructed of various materials, usually wood, with a wide variety of large and small holes for cat play and different layouts of maze. A ledge near the top supports a mattress; if desired the maze top may be closed with removable plywood sheets. Each of the end tables has a cat cubby in its lower compartment with a drawer above that. This is an older, simpler model of furniture than the later and more elegant bed.
This pole desk comes with cat shelves.
This desk includes cat ramps.
Kat Slab Cat Wall Furniture modules include:
* Shelves come in multiple sizes and shapes, smooth for easy cleaning or covered with carpet or matting for better traction. They typically include a wall mounting plate, one or more brackets, and a floor. They can serve as a bed, a connector between other elements, or several can be placed at an angle to work as steps.
* A balcony consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, a floor, and a railing. These come in diverse shapes and sizes. There are also versions that attach to a climbing pole to create a cat tree.
* Rope bridges consist of short planks connected by ropes along the ends, with various end pieces for mounting to wall, ceiling, or other elements. They often connect things such as shelves, beds, and boxes.
* A catwalk is simply a rigid board hung to provide a path between two other elements. The top may be smooth for easy cleaning or carpeted for better traction and comfort.
* Mounting steps consist of a ceiling mounting plate, a floor, and two sides shaped rather like a numeral 3. They are most often used to suspend one end of a rope bridge or catwalk from the ceiling, facing another element, without connecting the path directly to that element. They can be used to hang paths from the ceiling in general, but usually provide only a 2-way connection.
* Connecting boxes have a solid top and bottom, two open sides, and two frame sides with center holes, so they can make 2-way or 4-way connections. They are most often used to hang rope bridges from the ceiling, but it can be used on walls as well. It may be square or rectangular in shape.
* Connecting rings have a ceiling mounting plate and a floor; the sides consist of two rings. Left open, they can provide a 2-way or 4-way connection between other elements. They can also be used to suspend a clear tunnel along the ceiling.
* The clear tunnel can serve as a bed or a connection between other elements. It consists of two rings, each with its own wall mounting plate, and a large clear tube between them. An optional catwalk may be attached to the top. The tunnel comes in standard lengths of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 feet but can be custom-ordered in any length. Several diameters of tube accommodate small, medium, large, and jumbo cats and kittens.
* The round platform consists of a top ring, four sisal-wrapped posts, and a circular carpeted bottom. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. A half-round version can be mounted against a wall.
* The round hammock has a circular top plate, four curved side pieces, and a ring bottom that holds a round cloth hammock. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. This sturdy hammock comes in small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes. It also comes in a wall-mounted version with a wall mounting plate, bracket(s), and ring with round cloth hammock. It is available in small, medium, and large sizes.
* The square hammock consists of a wall mounting plate, two dowels supporting a cloth hammock, and an end plate. It holds less weight than a bracketed round hammock, so it only comes in small and medium sizes.
* The bowl bed is a clear half-sphere mounted in a supporting ring, with or without an extra ledge. It can be attached to a wall or in a corner with a suitable mounting plate, substituted for the cloth hammock in a round hammock ceiling mount, or on a pole as part of a cat tree.
* The wall basket bed consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, and a small shelf with an attached bed which is a low, round basket.
* The feeding station includes a wall mounting plate, bracket, floor, and feeder with 2 bowls. The bowls can be placed in a cutout of the floor for short cats and kittens, or raised above the floor in a ring mount for tall cats. The floor is typically covered with a washable feeding mat for traction. In a multi-cat household, providing each cat with a personal feeding station helps to keep the peace.
* Natural branches are typically covered with sisal. These can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or slanted. They may be used alone, to connect other elements in a freestyle way, or to support a basket bed.
* Cylindrical steps are sold individually or in sets. Each consists of a wall mounting plate, a round post wrapped in sisal or short-loop carpet, and an end cap. They come in several standard widths. Because each step has its own mounting plate, they can be placed at any distance or configuration to suit any cat, owner, or location. They take more time to install than multi-step modules, but are more versatile.
* Cat stairs have a wall mounting plate and several flat steps. The steps are often wrapped in sisal or topped with carpet for better traction. Steps come in several standard widths and spacings for different sizes of cat. Staircases of multiple steps come in standard lengths of 3, 4, 6, and 12 but can be custom-ordered in any length or configuration. These are simpler to install than individual round steps, but less versatile.
* Sisal climbing poles are available in a variety of standard or custom lengths, with or without platforms at the bottom, middle, or top. They may be mounted on the floor, wall, or ceiling and vertically, slanted, or horizontally. Less often, poles may be covered in short-loop carpet.
The connecting box has a solid top and bottom, two open sides, and two frame sides with center holes, so it can make 2-way or 4-way connections. It is most often used to hang rope bridges from the ceiling, but it can be used on walls as well. It may be square or rectangular in shape.
Similar to connecting boxes, connecting rings have a ceiling mounting plate and a floor; the sides consist of two rings. Left open, they can provide a 2-way or 4-way connection between other elements. They can also be used to suspend a clear tunnel along the ceiling. The mounting step consists of a ceiling mounting plate, a floor, and two sides shaped rather like a numeral 3. It is most often used to suspend one end of a rope bridge or catwalk from the ceiling, facing another element, without connecting the path directly to that element. It can be used to hang paths from the ceiling in general, but usually provides only a 2-way connection.
The round hammock has a circular top plate, four curved side pieces, and a ring bottom that holds a round cloth hammock. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. This sturdy hammock comes in small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes.
They also come in a wall-mounted version with a wall mounting plate, bracket(s), and ring with round cloth hammock. It is available in small, medium, and large sizes.
The square hammock consists of a wall mounting plate, two dowels supporting a cloth hammock, and an end plate. It holds less weight than a bracketed round hammock, so it only comes in small and medium sizes.
The bowl bed is a clear half-sphere mounted in a supporting ring, with or without an extra ledge. It can be attached to a wall or in a corner with a suitable mounting plate, substituted for the cloth hammock in a round hammock ceiling mount, or on a pole as part of a cat tree.
This ceiling set includes a rope bridge, a connecting box, another rope bridge, and a round hammock. At the right edge are some carpeted shelves with wavy edges.
The round platform consists of a top ring, four sisal-wrapped posts, and a circular carpeted bottom. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. A half-round version can be mounted against a wall.
The feeding station includes a wall mounting plate, bracket, floor, and feeder with 2 bowls. The bowls can be placed in a cutout of the floor for short cats and kittens, or raised above the floor in a ring mount for tall cats. The floor is typically covered with a washable feeding mat for traction. In a multi-cat household, providing each cat with a personal feeding station helps to keep the peace.
The clear tunnel can serve as a bed or a connection between other elements. It consists of two rings, each with its own wall mounting plate, and a large clear tube between them. An optional catwalk may be attached to the top. The tunnel comes in standard lengths of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 feet but can be custom-ordered in any length. Several diameters of tube accommodate small, medium, large, and jumbo cats and kittens.
The wall basket bed consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, and a small shelf with an attached bed which is a low, round basket. It is shown here with a rope bridge which has its own mounting plate at the lower end.
A catwalk is simply a rigid board hung to provide a path, shown here between two connecting boxes. The top may be smooth for easy cleaning or carpeted for better traction and comfort.
These cylindrical steps are sold individually or in sets. Each consists of a wall mounting plate, a round post wrapped in sisal. and an end cap. They come in several standard widths. They can also be covered in short-loop carpet. Because each step has its own mounting plate, they can be placed at any distance or configuration to suit any cat, owner, or location. They take more time to install than multi-step modules, but are more versatile.
Cat stairs have a wall mounting plate and several flat steps. The steps are often wrapped in sisal or topped with carpet for better traction. Steps come in several standard widths and spacings for different sizes of cat. Staircases of multiple steps come in standard lengths of 3, 4, 6, and 12 but can be custom-ordered in any length or configuration. These are simpler to install than individual round steps, but less versatile.
Sisal climbing poles are available in a variety of standard or custom lengths, with or without platforms at the bottom, middle, or top. They may be mounted on the floor, wall, or ceiling and vertically, slanted, or horizontally.
A balcony consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, a floor, and a railing. These come in diverse shapes and sizes. There are also versions that attach to a climbing pole to create a cat tree.
This floor-to-ceiling cat tree includes a carpeted pole, a round wooden balcony, and a clear bowl bed.
Learn how to make cat trees.
"Woodworking matters. It’s more than a pastime or hobby -- being a woodworker means that you know the satisfaction and pride that comes from using your hands and mind to build beautiful, functional objects, and that you’re as interested in the process as the outcome. Amid the speed and chaos of the modern world, woodworking gives us a place where we can slow down, pay attention, and take the time to do things right."
-- Aimé Ontario Fraser, Your First Workshop: A Practical Guide to What You Really Need, 2005
"The Most Revolutionary Aspect" 10-20-21
Story Date: Monday, July 21, 2014
Summary: Oscar and Labib lead a discussion about tools for the Business Incubator.
"Now We Do Them for Fun" 3-2-22
Story Date: Saturday, January 10, 2015
Summary: Oscar, Ramon, and Labib interview woodworkers at the Business Incubator.
Kitt Beaulieu started out with two product lines, both affordable. Kitt-E-Kube is a modular system of cardboard cubes with holes in the sides, plus a few extras like tabletops. Kat Stax is made by cutting out flat pieces on a CNC machine and then fastening them together into 3D items.
Kitt-E-Kube is a modular system with cardboard cubes that have cutouts on some sides. Each cube typically has 2 large-hole sides, 1 small-hole side, 1 medium-hole side, and 2 solid sides; but other variations exist, including empty sides. The large holes allow cats to travel through the cubes, while the medium and small holes encourage them to play. The cubes and tops both come in various colors. This furniture can provide space for hiding, sleeping, or playing and can conceal an eating station or litterbox.
A rectangular dresser may be made with 6 cubes in tall or wide configurations.
The square dresser consists of 4 perforated cubes stacked vertically 2x2 with a rectangular top. In this configuration, a drawer cube or cabinet door cube may be included for storage space.
This coffee table is one example of Kitt-E-Kube modular furniture, in this case made from 4 perforated cubes and a large square top. (It is also possible to make a small coffee table with 2-3 cubes side-by-side and a rectangular top, or a larger one with more cubes.) The two cats are Vermont Shag Carpet Cats.
This end table has a cube with a square top. The books read: Nim Nadejdzie Lato, Stephen Hunter, and Jak Nie Zabic Swoich Roslin. It is also possible to make a tall end table by stacking two cubes.
The Kat Stax Two-Species Rocking Chair has a seat for humans and a space inside the rocking legs for cats.
The treat puzzle consists of an A-frame with two dowels, spacers, and a set of treat boxes. Each treat box is open at the top with one or two holes on the sides. Larger holes make the puzzle easier to solve or serve larger treats, while smaller holes make it harder or serve smaller treats. When cats bat at the treat boxes, they spin around the dowel, causing treats to fall out.
Shaped like an oblong fish, this cat bed is very popular.
These cat beds have slatted sides. The round one is 2 stories and the rectangular one is 3 stories.
A cat tree includes a scratching post to lift the enclosed portion off the floor. This one has 4 stories.
Katherine "Kat" Goto makes the Kat Slab line of two-species furniture along with cat-specific furniture for walls and ceilings.
This table has a cat nest and hole with a matching corner bench, and you can also see a cat tree and nesting seats.
This queen-size bed has an underbed cat maze. This maze can be constructed of various materials, usually wood, with a wide variety of large and small holes for cat play and different layouts of maze. A ledge near the top supports a mattress; if desired the maze top may be closed with removable plywood sheets. Each of the end tables has a cat cubby in its lower compartment with a drawer above that. This is an older, simpler model of furniture than the later and more elegant bed.
This pole desk comes with cat shelves.
This desk includes cat ramps.
Kat Slab Cat Wall Furniture modules include:
* Shelves come in multiple sizes and shapes, smooth for easy cleaning or covered with carpet or matting for better traction. They typically include a wall mounting plate, one or more brackets, and a floor. They can serve as a bed, a connector between other elements, or several can be placed at an angle to work as steps.
* A balcony consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, a floor, and a railing. These come in diverse shapes and sizes. There are also versions that attach to a climbing pole to create a cat tree.
* Rope bridges consist of short planks connected by ropes along the ends, with various end pieces for mounting to wall, ceiling, or other elements. They often connect things such as shelves, beds, and boxes.
* A catwalk is simply a rigid board hung to provide a path between two other elements. The top may be smooth for easy cleaning or carpeted for better traction and comfort.
* Mounting steps consist of a ceiling mounting plate, a floor, and two sides shaped rather like a numeral 3. They are most often used to suspend one end of a rope bridge or catwalk from the ceiling, facing another element, without connecting the path directly to that element. They can be used to hang paths from the ceiling in general, but usually provide only a 2-way connection.
* Connecting boxes have a solid top and bottom, two open sides, and two frame sides with center holes, so they can make 2-way or 4-way connections. They are most often used to hang rope bridges from the ceiling, but it can be used on walls as well. It may be square or rectangular in shape.
* Connecting rings have a ceiling mounting plate and a floor; the sides consist of two rings. Left open, they can provide a 2-way or 4-way connection between other elements. They can also be used to suspend a clear tunnel along the ceiling.
* The clear tunnel can serve as a bed or a connection between other elements. It consists of two rings, each with its own wall mounting plate, and a large clear tube between them. An optional catwalk may be attached to the top. The tunnel comes in standard lengths of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 feet but can be custom-ordered in any length. Several diameters of tube accommodate small, medium, large, and jumbo cats and kittens.
* The round platform consists of a top ring, four sisal-wrapped posts, and a circular carpeted bottom. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. A half-round version can be mounted against a wall.
* The round hammock has a circular top plate, four curved side pieces, and a ring bottom that holds a round cloth hammock. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. This sturdy hammock comes in small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes. It also comes in a wall-mounted version with a wall mounting plate, bracket(s), and ring with round cloth hammock. It is available in small, medium, and large sizes.
* The square hammock consists of a wall mounting plate, two dowels supporting a cloth hammock, and an end plate. It holds less weight than a bracketed round hammock, so it only comes in small and medium sizes.
* The bowl bed is a clear half-sphere mounted in a supporting ring, with or without an extra ledge. It can be attached to a wall or in a corner with a suitable mounting plate, substituted for the cloth hammock in a round hammock ceiling mount, or on a pole as part of a cat tree.
* The wall basket bed consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, and a small shelf with an attached bed which is a low, round basket.
* The feeding station includes a wall mounting plate, bracket, floor, and feeder with 2 bowls. The bowls can be placed in a cutout of the floor for short cats and kittens, or raised above the floor in a ring mount for tall cats. The floor is typically covered with a washable feeding mat for traction. In a multi-cat household, providing each cat with a personal feeding station helps to keep the peace.
* Natural branches are typically covered with sisal. These can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or slanted. They may be used alone, to connect other elements in a freestyle way, or to support a basket bed.
* Cylindrical steps are sold individually or in sets. Each consists of a wall mounting plate, a round post wrapped in sisal or short-loop carpet, and an end cap. They come in several standard widths. Because each step has its own mounting plate, they can be placed at any distance or configuration to suit any cat, owner, or location. They take more time to install than multi-step modules, but are more versatile.
* Cat stairs have a wall mounting plate and several flat steps. The steps are often wrapped in sisal or topped with carpet for better traction. Steps come in several standard widths and spacings for different sizes of cat. Staircases of multiple steps come in standard lengths of 3, 4, 6, and 12 but can be custom-ordered in any length or configuration. These are simpler to install than individual round steps, but less versatile.
* Sisal climbing poles are available in a variety of standard or custom lengths, with or without platforms at the bottom, middle, or top. They may be mounted on the floor, wall, or ceiling and vertically, slanted, or horizontally. Less often, poles may be covered in short-loop carpet.
The connecting box has a solid top and bottom, two open sides, and two frame sides with center holes, so it can make 2-way or 4-way connections. It is most often used to hang rope bridges from the ceiling, but it can be used on walls as well. It may be square or rectangular in shape.
Similar to connecting boxes, connecting rings have a ceiling mounting plate and a floor; the sides consist of two rings. Left open, they can provide a 2-way or 4-way connection between other elements. They can also be used to suspend a clear tunnel along the ceiling. The mounting step consists of a ceiling mounting plate, a floor, and two sides shaped rather like a numeral 3. It is most often used to suspend one end of a rope bridge or catwalk from the ceiling, facing another element, without connecting the path directly to that element. It can be used to hang paths from the ceiling in general, but usually provides only a 2-way connection.
The round hammock has a circular top plate, four curved side pieces, and a ring bottom that holds a round cloth hammock. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. This sturdy hammock comes in small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes.
They also come in a wall-mounted version with a wall mounting plate, bracket(s), and ring with round cloth hammock. It is available in small, medium, and large sizes.
The square hammock consists of a wall mounting plate, two dowels supporting a cloth hammock, and an end plate. It holds less weight than a bracketed round hammock, so it only comes in small and medium sizes.
The bowl bed is a clear half-sphere mounted in a supporting ring, with or without an extra ledge. It can be attached to a wall or in a corner with a suitable mounting plate, substituted for the cloth hammock in a round hammock ceiling mount, or on a pole as part of a cat tree.
This ceiling set includes a rope bridge, a connecting box, another rope bridge, and a round hammock. At the right edge are some carpeted shelves with wavy edges.
The round platform consists of a top ring, four sisal-wrapped posts, and a circular carpeted bottom. Mounted on the ceiling, it can stand alone if reachable by a climbing pole or steps. It is often used as a 2-way or 4-way connection between rope bridges. A half-round version can be mounted against a wall.
The feeding station includes a wall mounting plate, bracket, floor, and feeder with 2 bowls. The bowls can be placed in a cutout of the floor for short cats and kittens, or raised above the floor in a ring mount for tall cats. The floor is typically covered with a washable feeding mat for traction. In a multi-cat household, providing each cat with a personal feeding station helps to keep the peace.
The clear tunnel can serve as a bed or a connection between other elements. It consists of two rings, each with its own wall mounting plate, and a large clear tube between them. An optional catwalk may be attached to the top. The tunnel comes in standard lengths of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 feet but can be custom-ordered in any length. Several diameters of tube accommodate small, medium, large, and jumbo cats and kittens.
The wall basket bed consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, and a small shelf with an attached bed which is a low, round basket. It is shown here with a rope bridge which has its own mounting plate at the lower end.
A catwalk is simply a rigid board hung to provide a path, shown here between two connecting boxes. The top may be smooth for easy cleaning or carpeted for better traction and comfort.
These cylindrical steps are sold individually or in sets. Each consists of a wall mounting plate, a round post wrapped in sisal. and an end cap. They come in several standard widths. They can also be covered in short-loop carpet. Because each step has its own mounting plate, they can be placed at any distance or configuration to suit any cat, owner, or location. They take more time to install than multi-step modules, but are more versatile.
Cat stairs have a wall mounting plate and several flat steps. The steps are often wrapped in sisal or topped with carpet for better traction. Steps come in several standard widths and spacings for different sizes of cat. Staircases of multiple steps come in standard lengths of 3, 4, 6, and 12 but can be custom-ordered in any length or configuration. These are simpler to install than individual round steps, but less versatile.
Sisal climbing poles are available in a variety of standard or custom lengths, with or without platforms at the bottom, middle, or top. They may be mounted on the floor, wall, or ceiling and vertically, slanted, or horizontally.
A balcony consists of a wall mounting plate, a bracket, a floor, and a railing. These come in diverse shapes and sizes. There are also versions that attach to a climbing pole to create a cat tree.
This floor-to-ceiling cat tree includes a carpeted pole, a round wooden balcony, and a clear bowl bed.
Learn how to make cat trees.
