Janel Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I've completed a piece who's parts were all gifts, and will be given as a gift to someone who gave me many hours of patient training a few years ago. The Afzalea of the sphinx moth was from spoon carver Norm Sartorius, who sends to me luscious "scrap" pieces of wood now and then. The base is a scrap from my brother-in-law's kindling pile in his carpentry shop. I do not know what sort of wood it is, but it is very straight grained and very hard. The burl is a punky piece of wood that my friend picked up and gave to me one day, years ago now, when I was at his place for one of many lessons, grinding my way through the first months of learning web design. The burl will be returned to it's finder, with additions, as a thank you for the training, encouragement and troubleshooting. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Twilbeck Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 What a great gift, and they all go together so well. I love the moth, and the burl, that fit well on the base. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Sanders Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 That one begs to be touched. Nice contrasts of materials. Just goes to show, not every carving has to be an elaborate affair with a lot of time invested. Simple pieces can be beautiful too. Now, is there something I can help you with Janel? Odd jobs around the yard perhaps?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert weinstock Posted January 21, 2006 Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 Nice gift Janel, If the color of the base is what it appears, it looks like paduk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2006 Hi Bob, Tell me about Paduk. I don't seem to find a finish that feels good after applying it. I've sanded off two or three different applications. Watco remaned tacky for more than a week, now an oil urethane is being tested on it. Any suggestions? I want the wood to have a chance at showing off its bit of chatoyance with some sort of surface encouragement, and it needs to feel good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Sanders Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 What about a nice bit of shellac/french polish? seriously. (although I'm not sure what 'feels good' means for you... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Smooth and does not cause drag when fingers caress the wood's surface. Not sticky or tacky. The weather has been cooler and dryer, so the applications of the oil urethane may dry well. The maple block under the dragonfly made last late summer had this as a top coating over something that was more vulnerable. After it was completed, I think it was Ford who said that it looked like French Polish. I looked up that technique and except for the material being applied, the application technique was similar. Several coats until it seemed to not take anymore. Without training, I just keep trying things and asking questions, and probably would make real wood workers curl their toes with the way and the why of how I do things! My apologies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck bennett Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Janel-- Beautiful. I like the whole setup. NICE gift to show your thanks. I would like to have a bigger piece of the burled wood for knife handles.Grin With a dye job and polish it would really be nice. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 Thanks Chuck, burled wood would make a nice handle, but this wood is fragile, as in punky through and through. That is why I did not carve it. I thought about hardening it, but that risks the beauty and tactility of the soft wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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