Showing posts with label christmas tree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas tree. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tidbits from the end of 2010

Goodbye 2010

I think this year went by faster than any other that I’ve experienced.I know that perspectives change a little as you age, but I think that this is about the most stable year I’ve had in recent memory, and that lack of upheavals may have had something to do with the speed with which it passed. Just hypothesizing. We’ll see how 2011 goes.

Since the last post, almost two months ago, I can’t say that I have spent all that much time in the shop, and in the last week or so it has been cold enough that I haven’t wanted too. Despite that, I have wrapped up a few projects, and am almost finished with a couple others.

The revised AR36 – now known as the pear knife, is much cooler now.I did some wood burning on the pearwood handle, and almost finished up a stand made of a couple of pears that I turned out of the same pear wood. They are waiting for stems, but this is what they look like now.

AR56 - I made a hunting knife for one of Erica’s dad’s friends. It’s a pretty simple one – basic drop point hunter, hidden tang, Madrone Burl handle, with a stainless guard. Simple leather sheath, but it turned out OK.

AR57 – Finally wrapping up the Dog Bowie. Sub-hilt fighter with Bowie style Stainless blade, finished with a gloss gunmetal blue bake-on Gun-kote protectant. I tried my hand at casting bronze for the guards, and set dog teeth (provided by the customer) between the guards. The sheath also has an inset panel with a cast bronze dog footprint. The handle is ebony and spalted maple.

I didn’t make any jewelry this year, but I did make a door. A fairy door that is. Not my usual thing, but Mom asked, so I gave it a shot.This one is cut from Ancient (30,000+ y.o.) Kauri from New Zealand, with a Pear stoop. The frame is domestic wood. I did some wood burning and painting, and Erica printed the stained glass window.Sadly it doesn’t open, but I’ve heard that only faeries can open them anyway.

The Door and The Door showing stained "glass".

I’ve got some idea’s for the shop, but you’ll just have to wait and see.

A

Friday, December 18, 2009

Where is my Christmas Cheer?

PLEASE ENTER MY GIVEAWAY! ---pretty please--- with a cherry on top, and whipped cream, and sprinkles... It is my very first one, and if I feel like this one is worthwhile I will have more.

you can find it here




So I am not sure why, but I just am not as excited and thrilled by Christmas this year as I am most years. I LOVE Christmas! I love Christmas music, and lights, and trees... and I love buying presents for people, and I don't even mind braving the mall this time of year- even though THIS year I was able to buy ALL of our presents from etsy, and some things for myself as well. Partially I wonder if I am just to busy between Etsy, Autumn, Roller Derby, Working for my dad...

Usually I play Christmas music constantly as soon as it seems reasonable- I think usually Thanksgiving is acceptably the beginning of Christmas festivities- but this year we STILL have not put up our tree! We haven't even decided on a theme (last year it was "new baby" and the year before that was "pirate"). It will go up tomorrow because I need to start wrapping presents and if the tree isn't up I will not have any place to put them.

I also love snow.

And I love the peppermint brownies from Starbucks (but I am on a diet right now that does not allow them). I love Turkey.

I love the traditions of Christmas.

I love the false joy that comes from pretty packages, excellent marketing, and obscene commercialism. I mean, I am a true hypocrite as I am not a religious or even spiritual person and I celebrate this holiday so voraciously.

But, for everyone, whichever religion you follow-or don't- HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Enjoy the season, it only comes once a year, and pretty soon we all have to turn that Christmas music off.