A new website is in the works, and should be completed soon. The new web design will consist of four parts: architects & designers, woodworkers, tone woods, and finished products. The new layout should enhance our customers' visits, and we are looking forward to the improvements.

10% off all gift certificates!

What you get in this special offer:

* Personalized deluxe gift certificate
* Sample of Ancient Kauri--finished veneer sample approx. 8” X 10"
* Presentation brochure
* Eight-page full color brochure telling the Ancient Kauri story

Make a lasting impression--with the world's oldest wood.

So, share a piece of natural history with your loved ones this holiday season.

Hurry! This holiday sale ends December 25, 2009.

Hello Ancientwooders!

It's been awhile since I last blogged, as there has been a lot going on around here!

Recently, Frank Ladner, a talented ring maker, made a few more Ancient Kauri rings. He says, "folks seem to really like them, [and] I really like them myself."

The Ancient Kauri rings can be found under our "Customer Contributions" page.

I look forward to seeing more of our customer's creations as they are finished.

You can see more of Frank's rings on his website stoutwoodworks.com.

Ancientwood has developed a technique for filling large, structural cracks, sometimes found in Ancient Kauri slabs. This is a step-by-step approach for creating a flat surface with beautiful patterns and design.

1. The slab must first be flattened. This can be done with a drum sander, planer or a CNC router.
2. After the slab is flat, locate cracks that need filling.
3. Fill any hairline cracks with color-matched latex putty. Wet the adjacent area of the Ancient Kauri with spirits to get an accurate color match for the putty (be careful not to get mineral spirits on the crack you are filling!)
4. Locate any larger cracks that may continue through to the underside of the slab.
5. Remove any bark within the crack (reserve for future use).
6. Dam the bottom of the crack by clamping wax paper and plywood to the bottom of the slab.
7. We use clear epoxy mixed with finely ground Ancient Kauri bark as the filler.
* Grind collected bark with coffee grinder or something similar.
* Sift ground bark with flour sifter to filter out the larger pieces – set aside.

Bob and his son Cedric are out on a road trip, delivering four tables and a hostess station to North Carolina. I spoke with Bob this morning and they are currently driving through the beautiful smokey mountains and should be arriving home around 3 a.m. tomorrow. The trip down went smoothly and Bob is eager to get back to Madeline Island and enjoy the 80 degree "summer" weather we have been waiting for!

Ancientwood, Ltd. has been selected to supply a 7 foot Ancient Kauri table for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! This event is taking place in South Range, Wisconsin, August 3-10. Ancientwood is very excited to have this inspiring opportunity and are pleased to be able to contribute to this deserving family.

Company imports largest ancient board in U.S.

Published: July 08, 2009
By Michaelle Bradford

A Wisconsin company imported a 40-foot board of ancient kauri. It is reportedly the largest board in the U.S.

This 40-foot board is long and wide enough to seat 50 people comfortably, says Robert Teisberg, president of Ancientwood Ltd.

Ancient kauri, found on the Northern Island of New Zealand, is one of the oldest workable woods in the world. It dates back to nearly 50,000 years ago. Recently, Bob Teisberg of Ancientwood Ltd., located in Madeline, WI, imported what is believed to be one of the largest slabs of ancient wood in the United States. The board is approximately 40 feet long, 5 feet wide and 4-1/2 inches thick. According to Teisberg, the wood, if used as a table, could seat approximately 50 people.

Teisberg says that ancient kauri trees are quite large with enormous diameters. They are similar in growth to redwoods but not as tall.

Ancient kauri is often used for musical instruments and high-end furniture. According to Teisberg, the large surface of the wood makes it ideal for table tops, bar tops, flooring and wall paneling.

Ancientwood has recently started selling items on Ebay. Make sure to check out the beautiful pieces at http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=ANCIENT+KAU..., or search for "Ancient Kauri." I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!

We now have a new piece of the week upload to the website.

This slab is 90 inches in length, 48 inches wide, and 3.5 inches thick; totaling 105 board feet.

This is one remarkable slab! Priced at $8,400.00, NOW ONLY $6,300, plus packaging and shipping.

All stock is 25% off until Wednesday, July 22!!

Someone sent a tiny goblet they turned to us the other day. They had stopped in to visit us a couple of weeks ago, and when he got home, this is what he made with some of the wood he got here. It is this tiny little thing, made from a piece of Ancient Kauri that must have been 3/4" X 3/4" X 2" to start with. It is great to see work on this scale, and while we wrestle around these huge slabs and timbers, it is cool to see someone looking at the tiniest details for their woodworking fun. I will post it on our "Contributed Works" later today: http://www.ancientwood.com/galleries/photo-gallery/contributed-works

I finally got my little sailboat into Lake Superior for the summer. It is later then usual, but it has been a cool summer and the lake is cold this year. So it is OK to launch in July, Isn’t it? The boat is an Olympic class racer, a Yngling (see http://usa.yngling.org). A great boat, and sailing this around Chequamegon Bay is one of my favorite summer pastimes.

Ancientwood's 2" stock is now available for customer viewing on the website. The beautiful pieces can be seen under the "Ancient Kauri for Sale" link.

Also new to the website are the "staff picks!" These are 1 and 2 inch boards that are exceptionally beautiful, and hand selected by the staff at Ancientwood. Follow the "Piece of the Week and Staff Picks" link, located on the right side of the home page.

We are finally getting some of the summer warmth we long for up here in Northern Wisconsin. The piles of Ancient Kauri are breathing a sigh of relief as the temps outside are getting closer to what it grew up in!

Drew Butler, an old friend of ours from Denver, is joining Ancientwood's sales team. We are trying hard to keep our customers happy and to find new people to get them interested in this beautiful Ancient Kauri wood. Drew has a long history of woodworking, and with a business degree has worked in sales before. His great sense of humor is welcomed, as is his new perspectives on our approach to finding new customers and helping us to look after our old friends, too. He will be focusing on the Colorado area first, so if this is your address is there you are likely to see or hear from Drew soon.

If you would like to contact Drew, send an email to abutler@ancientwood.com.

We have Master Chairmaker Russ Filbeck here today as he travels west with his traveling companion Ed Paradise. The two have been to the east coast buying green wood from Russ's long term suppliers, to be used in his classes this year at Polomar College in San Diego, CA. We were fortunate enough to have Russ and Ed with us overnight, and today he is selecting some Ancient Kauri for two rocking chairs he will be making this year.

We are welcome for the exposure that will come with Russ's making of the Ancient Kauri chairs. He and Ed are having a great time going through the stacks of Ancient Kauri with our Shop Foreman, Stuart. Nothing like having your own pick of the pile!

Russ brought along the sad news of Sam Maloof's passing; and his encouragement of remembering to not only morn the passing of this generous man, but celebrate the life of a guy that was so giving. I will have to make a future blog the story of my meeting Sam, and the incredible afternoon I spent meeting his "boys", some family, his wife and the awesome tour through his wood sheds with him.

Today Ancientwood, Ltd. is starting the "50,000 Year Sale," with 25% off all stock! Get your favorite items before they're gone!!