Throwback Thursday: rolling pin

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

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

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

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

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.