I turned a sycamore log into a vase over the last few days.
it is 9' tall and about 6" across. The orange and dark lines are just beautiful in this wood though they are caused when the wood begins to rot from insect infestation!
I keep a lot of the 'imperfections' which make the character I appreciate when working with the wood.
You can see what an ordeal it is to make the hole in the center of the vase. I put a plastic insert in it, when finished, so it can hold water for fresh flowers if I want. I do not hollow out the whole piece-I don't have the right equipment to do that nor the patience!
It does make a mess when I remove the wood to get the shape I want! Cleaning up after every block of time I spend there
is part of the job; I always walk away from a cleaned area.
This wood was very dry because it was cut down several years ago. It is very dusty--when I turn a piece like this, I use a face mask to keep it out of my nose and lungs! I thought I looked like Araignee when she is soap-making! lol
After cleaning up, I have to change my shirt, take off the hat and comb the wood chips out of my hair. Often, I have to give myself a good vacuum before I can enter the house!
Not your usual style, but needs-must! 😁 -Marsel
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful vase!!
ReplyDeleteA lot of work, but well worth the effort!! Lovely finish.
ReplyDeleteMessy crafts are the best crafts!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful vase and I love the imperfections the best. I enjoyed seeing the "behind the scenes" photos.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Stunning! Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha....you do look like me! I always wonder what my neighbors think when I'm out back mixing lye in that get up. Now I'm out there cleaning sourdough jars out every day and tossing the remnants into the woods. I'm pretty sure they think I'm running a meth lab...lol.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! When Dad moves here I want him to teach me how to use his lathe... wish me luck! xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThe vase is lovely and how interesting that the beauty of it is from insects. Wow.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so amazing! You really do beautiful work! And yes, by all means mask up when working with wood, esp. Sycamore. I learned that I was allergic to it's pollen when we had several big trees at our last house in Salt Springs. We parked our cars under them, and I'd start sneezing everytime I got into the car, and finally figured out what the problem was! But maybe the wood isn't so bad itself...just still, the sawdust is bad for the lungs for sure. I love the results of your labors, however. That is really gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDelete