Category: throwback

Throwback Thursday: thread cutter

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback, Tools

I had a long period of time in which Sculpey clay was my go-to medium. I found this photo from March 2007 of a thread cutter made from layered oven bake clay surrounding a wheel cutter blade with a brass wire loop. I formed each side of the cutter using a mold that I made, baked it, sanded it, then assembled it, probably with glue (tsk). The loop was properly made with a mechanical connection: prongs that went into holes in the clay.

Photo description: striped red thread cutter with indents to allow access to the blade inside, but protect from accidental cutting

I made several of these at one point. If I were to attempt to make them again, I would make sure there was a mechanical connection holding the blade between the sides. I’m sure the glue didn’t hold up to time or dropping.

Throwback Thursday: wire snowflakes

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In November of 2005 I made a wood and nail jig and produced several styles of wire snowflake ornaments.

Photo description: twisted dark blue wire snowflake with one branch replaced with a crystal bead
Photo description: twisted copper wire snowflake with crystal beads around the center and double the amount of wire
Photo description: twisted silver wire snowflake with a single crystal bead in the center

It is quite satisfying the number of permutations that can be achieved with a single jig just by skipping an element or doubling the wire or adding beads in different places. I did move away from the black velvet for photos, but was having trouble with white balance using the cream colored felt. Yes, I could break out Photoshop and adjust them to all match, but I think the varied backgrounds are appropriate for a Throwback Thursday.

I don’t have the jig anymore, but it was a simple affair with nails driven through 1/8” or 1/4” plywood. I didn’t make any more wire snowflakes after this round because it was a pain and a twisting nightmare.

Throwback Thursday: Cribbage board

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

I went all out on this custom cribbage board back in December of 2004. I designed the Celtic knot triple path, shaped the oak board, carved storage recesses, installed hinges and a custom leather clasp, and even handmade the pins from twisted wire capped with blown glass.

Photo description: cribbage board shown paying side up, with three colors of glass pins, red, green, and blue to match the paths of the Celtic knot
Photo description: cribbage board shown closed, with half the pyrography design visible
Photo description: cribbage board shown open with storage compartments

Decembers before kids are a treasure trove of throwbacks. This board is pretty, but it hard to actually use, especially when there is alcohol involved. Those loops and whorls make counting a dizzy prospect.

Throwback Thursday: homage to Terry Pratchett

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

I made this book stand in December of 2004 and graffitied it with pen, paint, and pyrography as an homage to Terry Prachett’s Disc World book series, specifically the wizard’s university library.

Photo description: Oak book stand with “Property of L Space”, math equations, an aboriginal style kangaroo, and Latin words. Two hooks at the top hold clear elastic filament which helps hold books open.
Photo description: side of the stand with angle bracket reinforcement and Greek words in red pen
Photo description: back of the book stand showing the prop with hinge and restraining chains

I finished the wood with a clear coat of urethane.

Throwback Thursday: Frog carving

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback
Photo description: hand carved wooden frog sitting on a mushroom

Here is a throwback to August of 2004, when I was getting ambitious with my wood carving. I had made a polymer clay model, then used that as a reference to carve the wood. I don’t remember which wood I used, but it looks like it might be walnut. That would be the time that I realized I was not only allergic to walnuts, but to walnut wood and oils as well (makes sense now, was quite devastating then). I like clear coats, and have steered away from wood stain for many years, so the dark surface of the wood is likely not stained. The darkened eye and frog skin markings were pyrography done with an old soldering iron.