Wood I Kid You

The Market

2009-03-30T12:33:00.001-07:00

I sell my wood turnings at a local grower's and crafter's market on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The market started on the 17th of March, but we were in Washington State visiting, so I didn't start until the next week. While at the Thursday market a lady was looking at some of my coffee scoops and remarked that she would like something a bit bigger to use as a water dipper. Well, I can't pass up a challenge like that so I turned this:
Came out pretty nice I think.
It is made from myrtlewood and is 13 1/2" long and the bowl is 3 1/2" wide and 1 1/2" deep, holding just under 1 cup. I hope she comes back this Thursday and takes a look at it to see if it is what she wants.
Thanks for looking in.
Tim

Speed Sticks

2009-03-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

My daughter-in-law, Joanna, knits and she uses large knitting needles called speed sticks. On our recent visit we were looking at hers and I mentioned I could make her a pair.
These are and these are 15" long and 25mm in diameter made from Port Orford Cedar which makes them lightweight and nicely figured. They are on their way to her now for evaluation and critique. Maybe I'll be making more.

Stained Hickory Pen

2009-03-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

A friend who installs flooring, recently gave me some flooring scraps knowing I could use them for pens.
There was a couple of pieces which had beetle holes in them and they make beautiful turnings.
The wood is usually infested by the beetles long before it is milled for lumber and the beetles leave a trail of stain when they bore through the wood.
I made a pen for the lady who had the flooring installed. Hope she likes it.
These pictures show both the scrap of wood as well as the finished product.

S and P Shakers

2009-03-23T08:52:00.001-07:00

S and P Shakers
Originally uploaded by woodikidyou

Here is something I have been playing with for quite a while and just recently ordered some bungs for the bottoms. These are made from Myrtlewood and are not as highly figured as some but still have a very nice grain to them. They will become part of my display at the Rogue Valley Growers and Craftes Market which started today in Ashland and will begin Thursday in Medford. I'll be there starting next week, 3/24, since we are going to WA to see our kids and grandkids tomorrow.
I'll be back.
Tim

Alex's clock II

2009-03-17T11:55:00.001-07:00

Alex's clock II
Originally uploaded by woodikidyou

Since I made something for our granddaughter, we thought it only right to make something for our grandson as well. Here is a nice sized clock we though he might be able to use.
Made from a slab of Black Walnut I have been seasoning, it really has some beautiful figuring and the classic dark brown coloring.
Hope he likes it as well.
Later,
Tim

The Flower vase

2009-03-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

We are going up to Washington to visit later this month, our granddaughter is singing in a school play. We thought it might be neat to bring her a bouquet of flowers for her debut, just like on broadway, etc.
Then we thought another nice gift might be a vase made by grandpa to keep some of the flowers in after her performance.
Anyway, I grabbed a piece of wood (Myrtlewood of course) and it told me what shape to make.
I think the colors speak for themselves and the figuring is just wonderful.
I hope she will keep it as a treasure and enjoys it a long long time.
Let me know what you think of it.
Thanks for looking.
Tim

Jiggers

2009-03-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

I was playing poker the other night and one of the ladies received some jiggers or shot glasses from another player who had been traveling, to add to her collection.
I asked if she had any wooden shot glasses and she said no, she didn't know anything like that existed. I said I had made some in the past but didn't have any right now so I would make one for her. She was delighted with the one I gave the next day and many of the others thought they were nice as well, so I thought I would make a few more and add to my shops.
Here are a couple that I made the next day and they are listed in both of my shops.
They are of course, Oregon Myrtlewood.
Hope you enjoy them.
Tim

Poker Card Cover

2009-02-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

One of my alternative passions is playing poker. I play Texas Hold'em in a local league. We don't play for money, we play for points and every 4 months or so the league has a state championship tournament where the top 20 points winners in each city get together and compete for an entry to a World Series of Poker or World Poker Tour satellite tournament. It is really a great way to improve your game and the people who are in the league are a great group to associate with.
One of the things particular to Texas Hold'em is everyone receives two "hold" cards which you keep face down and combine with community card to try and get the best poker hand.
Many players use card protectors or card covers to keep on top of these hold card so they don't accidentally get taken by the dealer or combined with cards which other players have "mucked" or thrown away (choosing not to play that particular hand).
I make card covers using various woods and combining that with a picture of a favorite hand, favorite sports team, kids, or something significant to the player.
Since I am very proud of the fact that I served in the US Navy and especially that I was part of the elite Submarine Force, I have incorporated a miniature replica of the enlisted submarine badge, which is worn on the uniform as an indication that one has passed a rigorous examination process showing that one has learned just how a submarine operates and he has become part of the team that makes up the crew of their boat (submarines are called boats, not ships

There are many varied ceremonies connected with the earning of these badges, some are official and others are not quite sanctioned by the armed forces.
I have included a picture of the badge, called dolphins and a picture of my card cover which also has a replica of the submarine's plaque.).

Myrtlewood

2009-02-23T09:05:00.001-08:00

I enjoy turning almost any wood and even some non-organic materials. But I especially like turning Native Oregon Myrtlewood.
Myrtlewood (Umbellularia California) is also known as Coos Bay Laurel, California Laurel, Bay Laurel, and Pepperwood, and several other names. It is a broad-leaf evergreen and keeps its leaves for two or three years, and year round. It is a uniquely Northwest wood found only on the coast of Southern Oregon and a bit of Northern California. There is a related wood found in the Holy Land but it is more of a shrub than a tree.
The beauty of Oregon Myrtlewood is in its variety and grain. Colors range from golden tan and muted red to yellow greens and velvety ebony black. I am fond of saying you never know what figure you will get when you turn it until you are done.
There are many outlets for myrtlewood located along U S Highway 101, which winds its way along the Pacific Ocean from Northern California up through Oregon. These shops feature a variety of products made from Myrtlewood and other local woods. If you get a chance to visit the area you will be in awe of the artistry of these wares.
In the bible, the Myrtle tree is of special significance, representing fertility and life.
Enjoy some of my myrtlewood projects at my shop on etsy at www.woodikidyou.etsy.com
Thanks for looking.
Tim

Wooden Wineglass

2009-02-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

I recently posted these two wooden wineglasses made from Oregon Myrtlewood on my esty shop.

These wineglasses were made from the same piece of wood, but since everything that I turn is hand crafted they are slightly different.

They both have what I call a "Flame" figure of the heart wood on one side of the glass. Since the grain does not run completely true throughout the piece of wood, it will vary in size as it emerges once the piece is turned. Again this makes each piece unique.

I am fond of saying that you never know what a piece of myrtlewood will turn out as until your are finished.

I am always willing to turn custom pieces. If you are interested contact me at my email or through my etsy store

Thanks for looking.

Tim

Spurtle (Traditional Scottish Porridge stick)

2009-02-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

The spurtle has a long history in Scotland where it was used to stir the oats as they softened slowly in the pot. Today's oatmeal doesn't take nearly as long to cook, but why not keep in touch with tradition and use a spurtle anyway? And apart from cooking your morning bowl of oatmeal, it will find many other uses in your kitchen.

IT WON'T SCRATCH YOUR POTS! No need to worry about scratching expensive lined pots or pans with cookware made from wood. And recent studies indicate that wood contains chemicals that fight bacterial growth.

EASY TO CARE FOR - just wash your spurtle in warm soapy water and let it air dry.

If you wish, you may occasionally wipe your spurtle with a little mineral oil to renew the finish. (Don't use vegetable or cooking oil as some may become rancid.)

Look for my hand turned spurtles at my etsy store: http://www.woodikidyou.etsy.com/

Thanks for looking.