Cross Variations

Continually experimenting with different religious cross variations from various types of wood. The first made from red oak, the second from maple. 






The first one made from the oak looked as if it needed something and was set aside.

The second from maple looked unique enough yet seem to lack in character. 

Placing the maple on the oak seemed meant to be: two totally different crosses became one.

Display Shelf

As I read through my recent posts I saw where I mentioned a previously built display shelf but never actually pictured it here. It was done on Christmas eve as it has become a tradition to make something. Since my kids are grown and have themselves and my grand kids spread across the country, it has become more of a challenge to determine what to create. This past Christmas eve the idea for my wife won out. Since I have been helping her add to her collection of  Willow Tree Angels it became necessary to give them some space of their own. Now I need to get it hung on the wall for her or I'll never hear the end of it.

Blogging and Writing

Not sure quite where to begin, everything with blogging and computing is new to me, I hope I can keep everything straight. I have always enjoyed and admired articles people could make from different types of wood. Slowly over the course of a few years, more and more tools found there way into my garage and a workspace was born. I will continue to mention any new items or creations I complete here. If there is something you wish to have made for yourself, keep up with me and let's have some fun. If nothing else you may enjoy watching me crash and burn.

Marketing

Cottonwood / Oiled 

Marketing is not my strong point. However, with the help of the Internet, the possibility of making a few dollars here and there is intriguing.

Hardly any items I make are alike as I use different types of wood and patterns. Being handmade, mistakes are sometimes made to the original design. I refuse to let work go to waste and changes are made to salvage.

The actual cross I decided that was needed for my high school acquaintance mentioned previously was created after a few different mistakes were made to the original design. All in all it came out okay with the changes. The cross ended up being 13" tall x 10" across x 1" thick.

I rarely stain or paint anything. I finish my work with a natural Danish Oil or Formby's Tung Oil either low gloss or high gloss. I for one appreciate the natural beauty of the wood and it's grain.

More Artsy

Texas Mesquite Base, Walnut Cross

Recently worked on trying to become a little more artsy and immediately was made an offer for the first cross I made when it was posted to facebook. Of course it was a high school acquaintance from years back. He mentioned his wife had a wall designated to religious crosses and he wanted one he could call original from someone he knew. His purchase definitely inspired me to create a few more and see what other items I make could be sold. My wife, sister in law, and multiple family memebers and friends from facebook  have continually told me to stop giving away my work and put it up for sale.

Bedside Table

It had been some time since I worked this much in my shop and I started getting into it even more. On Christmas Day, My sister in law's sister was here with us and mentioned she could use a small bedside table if I felt like getting involved a little more with a project. Enjoying getting back to creating I figured why not and tossed a few ideas out to her. With some Maple and tile I had here already the small table was thrown together. Nothing fancy but served her needs and hopefuly she will get many years use from it....

Maple with Ceramic Tile Top

The Rustic Bench

After making the previous display shelf I had some unique pieces of lumber leaning around on the shop wall begging to be used. I had been looking at these pieces for months wondering just what I could do with them. In a matter of a few minutes with a friend over at the house we decided to they would make an interesting bench. I was surprised of all the comments I received when it was posted to facebook. Many have told me I should make more and put them up for sale. That time could very well be coming before long.