Or how it is done.
Some have shown interest in the process of a stick coming to life. Here are 3 little sticks from start to finish with each step shown as well as I can. Be patient, it does not happen overnite, lol.
Once I find a stick, then either I remove the bark or let it cure with the bark on. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Then does it cure straight, or bend or crack to much to use. I never know.
First step: Find the stick. Not as easy as it seems. I only bring a sitck out of the woods that feels right? Catches my eye? This part I cannot explain. Very simple, but not so simple. When one does catch my eye and I remove it, an offering and prayer are left. Simple enuff.
First the oak, then sweetgum, then not sure what kind of wood the wand is.
This is how the looked when they came out of the woods this afternoon.
Now how they looked after the first step after they arrive at the shop. As you begin the process to see what you really have.
the wand
the oak
the sweetgum
Now let them dry, hope they don't bend to much, crack to much, etc. Time will tell.
This is the start, more later
Blessings
Sundown
The older I get, the less I know, the happier I am
Beautiful.
Your work that I have seen since i've been on here is utterly amazing, sir.
Blessed be.
"The Spirits have all but fled judgement
I rot, alone, insane,
Where the forest whispers puce laments for me
From amidst the pine and wreathed wolfsbane
Beyond these walls, wherein condemned
To the gloom of an austere tomb
I pace with feral madness sent
Through the pale beams of a guiltless moon
Who, bereft of necrologies, thus
Commands creation over the earth
Whilst I resign my lips to death
A slow cold kiss that chides rebirth
Though one last wish is bequathed by fate
My beauty shalt wilt, unseen
Save for twin black eyes that shalt come to take
My soul to peace or Hell for company"
The wand is ready to work on in the next few days, curing nice and straight. More soon. The other 2 are larger and will take longer but seem to be doing nicely.
Blessings
Sundown
The older I get, the less I know, the happier I am
I trimmed the ends, I did cheat and use a belt sander for the roughest part, I just don't have time to do it all by hand. Still took 2 hours. Plus another hour or 2 or 3 cleaning the vines out (still am working on that as I walk by pick them up and do more)
Blessings
Sundown
The older I get, the less I know, the happier I am
Finally
as before bit of time here and there cleaning and some sanding, over the last 2 days a good bit of sanding, probably 40 minutes each.
Drilled the ends of the oak, inserted opaline crystals in each end (will remove them to stain then set them later)
Oak
and the sweetgum
I put the first coat of tru oil (a mix of linseed and other natural oils used on gun stocks, hard, durable, does not yellow or crack)
Pics of that later
Blessings
Sundown
The older I get, the less I know, the happier I am
Very nice Sundown. I like using Tru Oil too. Always had great results with it on gun stocks. The hand rubbing can be a little sticky, but its well worth the results you get. By the way, how long do you usually make your wands? Do you let your clients determine the length? And how do you chose what stones (if any) to place in them? Just wondering
Tru oil is great, and stickey, lol.
The sticks that become wands usually determine their own length. What feels right, a good average is about 16 inches. Some get stones, some don't, no method to my madness there, just what "feels" right, sometimes it is drilled and set in the end, sometimes knot holes on the side of a staff. Just wish I had more time and energy to work with wood. Maybe one day.
Sundown
The older I get, the less I know, the happier I am
3 coats of tru oil each, then after drying well buff with 0000 steel wool, then 2 coats of stock sheen and conditioner (about 30 minutes for both). Then a few coats of wax. Soak and wrap leather, hmmm bout an hour for both of them.
the oak
Final product later
Sundown
The older I get, the less I know, the happier I am
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