Tag: wood work

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.

Throwback Thursday: rolling pin

On By CarynIn throwback

This Throwback Thursday doesn’t go quite so far back, we’re going to December 2021. I made a tapered French style rolling pin for my Mother-in-law and decorated it with painted daisies. I took some in process pictures, but because it was the holidays and I was in a whirlwind, I forgot to take final pictures. My MIL graciously sent me pictures of the rolling pin recently, so now I can share the project on the blog!

Photo description: maple wood tapered end rolling pin fresh off the lathe in 2021
Photo description: recent picture of the rolling pin painted with daisies and finished with a food-safe oil and wax mixture (photo credit to my MIL)
Photo description: closeup picture of the painted daisies, which really do look better close up (photo credit to my MIL)

Throwback Thursday: coaster study

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In June of 2007 I did a wood and epoxy coaster study for Father’s Day.

Photo description: wood coaster with recessed center filled with symmetrically placed fishing lure, hooks, weights, and swivels covered in clear two part expoxy
Photo description: back side of coaster showing three round carved wooden “feet” and the words “CJH 2007 Coaster Study #1”
Photo description: wood coaster with offset rectangle carved out and filled with a slice of polymer clay in shades of blue and gray of a jumping fish, drawn fly hook on a line, all covered in a thick layer of clear two part epoxy
Photo description: back side of the coaster with three oblong “feet” carved in the wood and the words “CJH 2007 Coaster Study #2”

I used a hand held router setup with my rotary tool to carve the recesses and feet on each coaster.

My Dad sent me a picture of the fish coaster, 17 years later, and the coaster has held up well living in a display case. Interestingly, the blue “feather” I drew on the hook has faded.

Photo description: 17 year old wood and epoxy coaster

Throwback Thursday: blocks

On By CarynIn Craft

When my eldest discovered she had hands and the beginning ability to control those wiggly digits, I made her a set of blocks from my wood pile. I made them from different woods, and in different sizes, because it gave them different weights and feel. I was all about the “different texture experiences” practice of parenthood. I rounded the edges and finished with a matte clear coat, to help with grip.

Photo description: wooden cubes of various sizes and shapes arranged randomly on a wood slab coffee table

I have to admit, I rather liked arranging them on the table as a center piece.

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.