Thread: Scribbly notes from the shed

Don't go anywhere Springwater, you bring a whole new element to woodwork that I am only just starting to understand.

This thread is a beauty, as is the works and their journey that you share with us Spring.

cheers
Wendy

I've always considered this part of the forum to be about sculpture whether "fine art" or "craft" or the infinite shades of gray in between.

You know how little things can overwhelm you with humbleness. Today I saw a picture of a little manila paper envelope with those old, sticky eyelet reinforces. It held two spare buttons in it. You knew they were spare buttons because that's what was printed on it in simple letters. I like that sort of consideration; we'll make you some clothes and unfortunately a button may come off but don't worry here's two just in case it happens twice.

I finished the whittling of the Huon hearts for one of the pieces today and will start sanding tomorrow. I never thought I'd ever sand Huon anything less than as smooth as I could get it but these will be left coarsely sanded with 120 grit. I'm still trying to work out how to give them individuality which I tried to impart when whittling them, maybe that will do but I'm also thinking of dyeing, staining or doing both to them, is that sacrilegious?

Looking forward to sanded finger tips again. Really looking forward to picking up that first mug of tea with them and wishing I'd used the handle I haven't done it since the last batch of bracelets. I think 2000 hearts is enough now, I'm pretty tired...

Very nice work Springwater. I just read though this thread and enjoyed following your progress. Thanks for sharing.

2000 hearts, have you broken any along the way? As for your Huon and staining etc as with real hearts it's whats on the inside that counts! sand, stain and be happy Can't wait to see them. CV3 said and many others too, that this is a fantastic thread. I think Springwater you are taking us, me at least to another place, I have been trying to get there for a while but wasn't quite sure how to get there. No doubt I will have to go to some other places scanky places on the way but I can see the path now. Keep up the amazing work.

Thanks for your kind words everyone.

Just to let you know, if you have the time, you may be interested in listening to the 2009 Massey Lectures:
The Wayfinders - Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World. Good to listen to when doing menial or repetitive tasks.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/

Hey Spring, good to hear from you again,
sheeesh 2000 hearts
I think you've taken your woodwork to a new place and discovered a new form of meditation.
the finished piece will be great but the journey is special

Originally Posted by underfoot

Hey Spring, good to hear from you again,
sheeesh 2000 hearts
I think you've taken your woodwork to a new place and discovered a new form of meditation.
the finished piece will be great but the journey is special

Thanks Undyman, 2000 just went like that (sound of two fingers clicking) to be honest it's just a guess based on a 1000 Huons still sitting in a box for a time I can't remember exactly. I think I started them about 3 years ago, should have wired them up back then considering the price of copper has just about trippled since. Just finished whittling about 350 small Huons, have another 100 blackwood ones or so laying idle waiting for inclusion in I don't know what and I've done more bracelets than I can remember

I'm still catching up with what everyones been doing, I see your exhibition went all red dots, you beauty, congratulations Can't wait to see what comes over the Undy horizon, you constantly seem to get up with the rising sun, that's a good way to be

Not much progress to show for three free days in a row but was able to finish the fishing line stitching being short by 1 metre after going through a 100 metre spool ("missed it by that much") I was going to flatten the backs of the hearts a bit so they sat secure but decided on hollowing out the pieces so the hearts settle in.

I'm undecided which type of thread to use to stitch the hearts on as it must be able to withstand further dyeing, bleaching and salting. While I'm trying to achieve a weathered look, I don't want it to fall apart. I've just used some cotton for the moment but am thinking that nylon or polyester may be the go except they look too shiny.

Spent most of the day pushing an awl 4 times in each of 334 pieces then drilling same until the drill bit broke, wow, talk about living on the edge
Attachment 131708
Attachment 131709

Well, if you don't mind, thought I'd better show how things are getting on before its too late as where really moving along now . I used a cylindrical burr in a rotary tool to form recesses for the hearts to rest in. Before I stitch them on, I'm thinking of pooling some mainly dark blue colour in behind them. Then probably throw some bleach and salt at it to bring the newly carved wood into line with the rest of the bleached out wood.

Attachment 132584

Attachment 132585
The hollows left of centre of this pic are still in their first stage. I tried to make the hollows fit the back of the hearts then once that was done I blended the steep sides in.

Attachment 132586

And yet another element, shape changing, more colour, less colour, put it on, take it off. The depth of your work Springy is just mind boggling to me. I remember looking at this when you first started and thought it was way cool, now, this far down the track and I'm almost speachless at the twists and turns this project take. Its got more twists & turns than an Agatha Christy novel.
Keep it happening mate