Tag: wood work

Throwback Thursday: cabinet update

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft, throwback

When we first moved to our house, there was a large wood workbench on the back porch, salvaged from an old workshop. Since it had been left out in the elements, many of the parts were warped and cracked. I disassembled the bench and reused the parts for projects around the house. One of those projects was a cat food cabinet made from two drawers and part of the workbench top. I turned the drawers sideways to make the sides of the cabinet, put on a top with back splash, and made a door with hinges. The wood I used for the door had a large split, which I reinforced with braces on the back and an old leather belt nailed to the front.

Photo description: Thor the gray tabby standing on the top of the recycled cat food cabinet.
Photo description: the inside of the cat food cabinet showing how the original drawers were repurposed.

The problem with the wood top is that it was not smooth, so was hard to clean. To fix this, I added laminate adhesive tiles to the top, then gave the rest of the wood a boost with a rub down with Howard’s Feed-n-Wax.

Photo description: laminate tile added to the top of the recycled cat food cabinet, also showing the melamine shelf above the cabinet with Izzy the cat eating crunchies, and on the floor, Missy the dog looking for fall out.

It took a bit of time for the cats to figure out that the new surface was stable, and Thor would rather his wet food bowl be put elsewhere, but the surface is so much easier to clean now.

Knitting row counter

On By CarynIn Craft

Here is a different version of a row counter for knitting. I used flat round wood beads and copper wire to make a chain with larger loops to accommodate larger needles. I then used a wood burner to number each bead; it is actually easier to wood burn the assembled chain rather than individual beads. To mark the tens, I used a copper lobster claw clasp with a copper clay leaf (that I made many, many years ago and has been waiting for a project). I find the lobster claw easier to deal with than a melody clip.

Photo description: handmade row counter in the center with handmade copper leaves on the right, then going counter clockwise: purchased copper lobster clasps, bead reamer, pliers, a pile of row counters waiting for their dangle, and a spool of 22 gauge copper wire.

More 3-hook i-cord makers

On By CarynIn Craft

I ordered replacement hooks for a knitting machine, which are essentially latch hooks without a handle. I made handles from flame maple and deer antler horn and mounted three hooks in each handle using epoxy in holes I drilled with a drill press.

Photo description: four 3-hook cord makers, the far left and middle right handles are made of deer antler, the far right and middle left are made of flame maple.

I sealed the flame maple with Howard’s Feed and Wax (I think I’ve mentioned before how much I love this stuff!)

They work! I spread the tines a little more on these, which gives a more flexible i-cord than my first i-cord maker.

Antler nål

On By CarynIn Craft

I have made my first nål for nålbinding out of antler bone! I have made several out of wood, and was hesitant about bone, but it turns out it is easy to work. I do wear a dust mask at all times because I don’t want that bone dust in my lungs. I like how well it buffs to a shine without applying a finish coat.

Photo description: thick bone needle with two holes on a table with scraps of sandpaper.
Photo description: side view of the same nål, showing the natural curve from the antler tip.

This nål came out a little thicker than I care for, so I’m going to experiment with some other methods of construction. I just sanded this one down to shape; for the next one I’ll try cutting it lengthwise then sanding down, and I will try a different curve.

Throwback Thursday: wood cup

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

Here is a throwback from 2003 of a wooden cup I made by stacking rings of cut wood. I didn’t have a lathe, but did have a scroll saw, so made a solid circle for the base, and matching rings for the sides. I glued the stack together and clamped it, then hand sanded it before sealing the wood (I was very into urethane finish at the time, so that is probably what I used).

Photo description: Wood cup made in 2003 on a black velvet background.

I was also fond of photographing items on black velvet, which makes me cringe a bit now. I do like the way the wood growth rings line up to make a wave. It was intended as a pencil holder, which I believe it does admirably.