Thread: Holly w/ Bloodwood

Damn fine looking box Gecko I'm sure it will end up some girls pride and joy.
That Holly is so white it looks painted - must be popular with the intarsia guy's!

Simply elegant!

Another beautiful box Gecko.

Very nice Gekko.

How did you do the heart inlay?

Cheers

Gazaly,
I made a template out of 1/4" hardboard/masonite and used a Whiteside inlay kit. It works like a dream. I have used it for a few other inlays as well.

hey gecko,nice box , as ttit says it will interest us intarsia guys is that holly really that white or has it been bleached ive never seen wood that white

Mong,
Holly really is that white. It is a solid, tight grained wood. When polished it reminds me of ivory. I have read that if the tree is taken down in the winter the wood is at its whitest, while if taken down in the summer it tends more towards grey. I have also read that if it is stained black, it can be used as a substitute for Ebony.

Reaslly looks nice. don't you just love how Holly works? I have turned some pieces of Holly and love it. And the Bloodwood works well also.

Holly has a Christian Legend that refers to Holly as a simble of Crist. the thorny leaf represents the crown of thorns and the red berries remind us of the blood he shed. Legend says that the Holly tree grew from the drops of blood he shed as he carried the cross to Calvary.

Yours is a grand looking box and deserves the story attached. Here is the story I attached to my turned box, I stole the words from some web site but can't remember where so I can't take credit no give credit to who desrves it. I massed a collection of several pieces to form the story.

Holly, Cross and Crown

Druids believed the holly or ilex was sacred. They thought this plant stayed green year round because it was especially favored by the sun. Christian legend says one winter night, the holly miraculously grew leaves out of season in order to hide the Holy Family from Herod's soldiers. Since then, it has been an evergreen as a token of Christ's gratitude.
Holly is one of the trees said to be the tree of Christ's cross. Legend tells us that the trees of the forests refused the defilement of the cross, splintering into tiny fragments at the touch of the ax. Only the holly behaved like an ordinary tree, allowing itself to be cut and formed into a cross. It is as a Passion symbol that holly is found in pictures of various saints. It's presence indicates that the saint is either reflecting upon Christ's Passion or foretelling it.
In Germany, holly is called Christdorn in memory of Christ's crown of thorns. According to legend, the holly's branches were woven into a painful crown and placed on Christ's head while the soldiers mocked him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews." The holly's berries used to be white but Christ's blood left them with a permanent crimson stain.
Another legend about this Christmas plant says that a little orphan boy was living with the shepherds when the angels came to announce the birth of the newborn king. Having no gift for the baby, the child wove a crown of holly branches for its head. But when he lay it before Christ, he became ashamed of it's poverty and began to cry. Miraculously, Jesus touched the crown and it began to sparkle while the orphan's tears turned into beautiful scarlet berries.
Many superstitions surround the holly. It is a man's plant and is believed to bring good luck and protection to men while ivy brings the same to women. It is thought that whoever brings the first sprig of Christmas holly into the home will wear the pants that year. It was hung about the doors and windows to keep away witches, spells, evil spirits, goblins, and lightning. On Christmas eve, English virgins hung holly on their beds to protect their virtue from Christmas goblins. However, elves and fairies were welcome in British households, and sprigs of holly were hung as hiding places for them. Romans gave gifts of holly to their friends during Saturnalia as good luck charms and protection against evil. Because of all these superstitions, early Christians were forbidden to decorate with this plant, especially during Saturnalia.
The Holly and the Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom
As white as the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet savior.
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good.
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas day in the morn.
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
- Old English Christmas Carol -









Some traditions believe that the symbolic Oak King (King of the Waxing Year) defeats the Holly King (King of the Waning Year) at Yule, who will reverse the process at Midsummer.
Folk belief held that Holly was powerfully protective, and hanging or growing it outside the home would protect those inside from lightening, witchcraft, and all manner of menacing things. Throwing Holly at a wild animal would cause it to lie down and leave you alone.
Today, Holly is still venerated as a symbol of the Sun, the Son, and joy, happiness and goodwill.

back in Oz.... does anyone know how to source Bloodwood here. It is perhaps a different timber (eucaylpt). I would be interested in a small amount for picture frames. I know it's probably structural timber but I'm still interested.
Carry Pine

Lovely box Gecko.

Carry Pine, when I was at the Woodshow in Canberra, Stan the shingle making man (wood splitter extraordinaire) was splitting up some bloodwood. My boy Sam got a shingle made from it (Stan gives 'em away). He did tell us what species it is but I'm damned if I can remember, but it was grown up his way (Mullumbimby) and he said it is an Aussie.

I found this scientific name on the web Eucalyptus gummifera, intermedia - maybe that will help. It is certainly grown up in the Northern Rivers district.

Thanks Poppa, on the trail now. Noticed your home town.....interesting!!!!

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but yes, I noticed the same thing about you! Maybe we should catch up for a beer....