Wood - a Christmas Present???

Christmas Eve I was turning a pen. While I was, I thought that woodworking, specifically turning is like opening a Christmas present. You do not know what the wood will look like when you are done.

The wood is Bethlehem Olive.

Driftwood

Driftwood

Not long ago I went to the coast.  Specifically the Moro Bay San Simeon area.  While I was there I want some driftwood.  I was not sure what I was going to do with it, but I wanted some.

I picked up several pieces.  A few weeks later I deiced to try and make a pen from the wood.  It took several tries as the wood is very fragile. After multiple attempts I did it!

Here are pictures of the wood, several as I was making blanks from them and one of the final product. 

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Turning Pens

I am learning how to turn pens.  It has been fun but frustrating.  But it does come down to being a learning experience.

Here are some examples of what I have made so far.

The woods used (from left to right) are: Bethlehem Olive, Bethlehem Carob,  Bocote and Zebra wood.

The two Bethlehem woods are from Bethlehem.  The olive wood trees “are over 300 years old, and some have been growing since the time of Christ.” The wood is taken from branches that have been pruned or fallen limbs and/or trees.

TARDIS

I have always wanted a TARDIS.  It would be nice to have a full size one like in these videos:

http://youtu.be/_BaVax0cArg

http://youtu.be/rtWUrJU46M8

Guess I will have to do with this one.

Poodle Patrol

Here is another project I did after work.

For both this and Scooby I used pictures from a coloring book for the pattern.

Just for fun projects.

Here are my latest two projects.

The cross is made with plywood back and the front is made with pallet wood.

The Scooby was made using a page from a coloring book for a patter.  It was a quick after work project.

 

What is the value of "Hand-Made"?

Sometime ago I cut out a piece for my Step-Dad for his birthday.  I pinned a picture to my Pinterest board. 

There was a comment made that a person’s laser could do that.  It was not a bad comment and I did not take it that way.

Another time I went to the Etsy site and was looking at some of the scroll saw type work people were selling.  I saw a piece cut from a pattern I had used a few times as well.  I looked to see how much it was selling for.  I was shocked to see that the seller priced it at about what I pay for the wood.  Upon investigation I found that it was cut with a CNC or Laser cutter.

I do not want to talk bad about people who do this.  However I find it lessens the value of what I make.  Let’s say I need to sell a piece for $20.00.  It might be something that took 2 to 3 hours to cut.  Now a person can buy the same thing for $5.00, but it was cut by a machine.  Makes it hard for me to sell pieces.  Good thing I do this for a hobby.

Do people consider a CNC cut piece to be “hand-made”?  I know I personally don’t.

Do you find there is more value to a piece that was cut hole by hole? 

Just some thoughts…

Thanks for reading.

Jayne Mansfield

I have been doing a lot of bigger projects.  When I used my scroll saw it was for simple cuts.  I wanted to challenge myself to something a bit more detailed.

I found the Old Crow Scrollwerks web site and the pattern for Jayne Mansfield.  As I have a brother that loves her I had to do it.

And best of all... its not a poodle!

More poodles….

Yes I have made a couple more poodle pieces.

Poodles and Pallet Wood

I was able to get some pallets for free and made a couple of different project.  Hope you enjoy them!