Now that I have seen the table for the first time I can start to finalize the shaping on the legs. Everything is chunky and needs to be cut, tapered, shaved and faceted until the table is tied together as a cohesive whole. This is the type of active woodworking/design that my style promotes.

I begin with a flexible curve, a straight edge and my pencil.

Off to the bandsaw and then the edge sander to clean them up.

The curved stretchers go through a similar process. I sketch on them with a pencil then its off to the bandsaw. These pieces will require some hand work to clean up. Hand tools are amazing if you know how to use them.

All of the parts get sanded by hand. Now I can figure out how to glue this all together.

This stage needs to be carefully planned out. There is nothing worse than a glue up gone awry.

I feel comfortable so I spread glue on both parts of the joint. Clock is ticking as the glue starts to set up.

So far so good! I will wait for the glue to dry and then glue on the other three legs.

Again I will have to plan out every detail. I think I am ready to go.

Done! Everything went together perfectly.

Coffee Table Commission
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

By Nico Yektai -
New York based designer/maker Nico Yektai opened the doors to his Hamptons studio in 1995 after completing the MFA program at the School For American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The rigorous technical training complimented his background in Art History, which he studied, at Hobart College in Geneva NY. Yektai has synthesized this background into a singular style that has gained him national attention. Visit nicoyektai.com for more information

I was approached by a producer of Voice Of America who wanted to interview me while I was participating in the Crafts America Show in Washington D.C.. He explained that the piece was about Iranian Artists who were exhibiting in the show. I had met the producer in New York City when he was producing a documentary on my father, Manoucher Yektai. I reminded him that I did not speak Farsi which meant that my only qualifications were being half Persian and the fact that i was born in Teheran Iran. He told me not to worry and that they would dub in a Farsi voice for me. I took this as an opportunity to be exposed to their audience of 14 million people Iranians both inside and outside of Iran. I also took this as an opportunity to upgrade my voice. I asked for a strong, authoritative voice for the voiceover. Anything is better than my natural voice!

I was happy to participate and to my surprise there were other artists at the show with ties to Iran.

If you want to skip ahead to my part it starts at 1:22

By Nico Yektai -
New York based designer/maker Nico Yektai opened the doors to his Hamptons studio in 1995 after completing the MFA program at the School For American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The rigorous technical training complimented his background in Art History, which he studied, at Hobart College in Geneva NY. Yektai has synthesized this background into a singular style that has gained him national attention. Visit nicoyektai.com for more information

I am honored to be participating in the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. I have brought a number of pieces that I think demonstrates the quality and originality of my work. The show opens tonight and I will be here through Sunday evening. If you have a chance come and see my work at Booth #202.

For more information please visit their website at

pmacraftshow.org

Here are a couple of booth shots so will know what to expect.

By Nico Yektai -
New York based designer/maker Nico Yektai opened the doors to his Hamptons studio in 1995 after completing the MFA program at the School For American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The rigorous technical training complimented his background in Art History, which he studied, at Hobart College in Geneva NY. Yektai has synthesized this background into a singular style that has gained him national attention. Visit nicoyektai.com for more information