Tag: wood work

Macrame: Cedar branch

On By CarynIn Craft

I realized that I had a free substitute for the thin dowel I tried to use for a large macrame hanging: a branch from the yard. Not only do we have copious available branches, naturally shaped wood looks really nice with macrame. I even had a nice long cedar branch that I had cut a few months ago that didn’t work for the project at the time, that had been sitting out and curing. I stripped off the bark, which is much easier after the rain when the bark is wet, then let the wood dry. I used an oscillating spindle sander to get the remaining traces of bark removed, then sealed it with several applications of Howard’s Feed-n-Wax.

Photo description: curved smooth cedar branch set above the thin dowel with cotton cord tied on with larks head knots

Transferring the cotton cord from the dowel to the branch wasn’t difficult once I used some spare cord to tie it up above the dowel. Larks head knots are very stable, but very easy to remove.

Photo description: all the cotton cords transferred to the branch which is naturally curved not bent due to the attached weight

I left the old thin dowel hanging as a pattern line, and added a couple more guide lines to the wall using washi tape.

Now I have to settle on my macrame pattern. I initially intended a simple all-over grid, but my ideas keep getting fancier and I’m thinking of pockets and loops. Hm.

Throwback Thursday: wire frame

On By CarynIn Craft

I was tasked with making a trophy for a duct tape contest back in December of 2009. I found a block of wood from my stash, imbedded several hanger wires, then shaped them into a chalice.

Photo description: wire armature chalice set into a finished block of wood with routed edges

I covered the whole thing in strips of standard duct tape, then forgot to take a final picture. Hm. When it was presented, though, it was deemed way fancier than the requester envisioned. That’s what happens when a crafter gets their hands on duct tape.

Dishwasher magnet

On By CarynIn Craft

The problem with multiple parallel projects is sometimes bits get buried and I forget I have a work in progress. That happened with the dishwasher signs that I made with my folks’ laser cutter. I brought the parts home then got distracted. It happens. I found the parts again, realized I had everything I needed to complete it, I just had to make the magnet hole a little larger.

Photo description: laser cut wood disc with roll of sandpaper. The center hole was slightly too small for the magnet, so it had to be sanded until the magnet could be pressed in.

After fixing the magnet to the middle of the center layer, I could then glue all three layers together: the sign, the magnet layer, and the laser cut felt. To make sure everything set tight, after brushing on the wood glue and assembling, I wrapped the magnet in wax paper and clamped it in a book press to dry.

Photo caption: two dishwasher magnets, one sign up, one felt up, sitting on two book presses

To finish and protect the wood, I used Howard’s Feed-n-Wax.

Photo description: dishwasher magnet in use with four labels on a rotating circle: Dirty, Delay, Washing, and Clean

Feed-n-Wax

On By CarynIn Craft

I’ve posted before about Howard Feed-n-Wax and how much I love it for the ease of use and beauty it imparts to wood. Here is another testimonial with my Befra Willy Spinning Wheel.

Photo description: Befra Willy spinning wheel before application, showing the wheel functional, but the finish is dull
Photo description: same spinning wheel after application of Howard Feed-n-Wax, the color deepened to a rich brown, the grain of the wood is more evident, and there is pleasant shine

I did replace the hooks on the flyer assembly as well. They weren’t broken, but I have an idea about how to wind the spun yarn more smoothly and larger hooks may help. More on that later.

Photo description: new hooks on the flyer assembly, old smaller hooks on the counter

Laser cutter

On By CarynIn Craft

I recently visited my folks, who have a new laser cutter, so I had to give it a go. I had sketched up a design before I visited of a new idea for a dishwasher magnet, then I got carried away filling the space with simple yarn shuttles, weaving needles, and even a drop spindle whorl.

Photo description: 1/8th inch plywood cutouts clockwise from top right: three yarn holders, two weaving needles, two 2-part dishwasher magnets, and a dragonfly spinning whorl on a wooden shaft (the shaft is from a different spindle)

The laser cutter is like a Cricut cutter, but on steroids. The cuts were smoother than I expected, and really don’t need clean up. The engraved dragonflies actually have some depth, which is neat. The dragonfly design is one of mine that I pulled from archives to test out (because I could). There is some learning curve, and experimentation with power and speed is necessary for the best results. It was overall a fun project. I do have some assembly and testing work ahead of me.