Recent Spoon

[LBlake]

Re: Recent Spoon

Masses of leaves on the top? Do you mean this spoon? (attaching pic here) If so, that's actually meant to be a hyacinth. As for how I carved it... petal by petal. I started with coloring each petal or part of a blossom with different colors to designate different depths, then started carving with the deepest parts, and eventually carved the blossoms around them. I also tried to keep in mind which direction each blossom was meant to be facing. Hope that was the spoon you meant, and hope the explanation helps.

[Keoma]

Re: Recent Spoon

wowsers! Fancy Pants! That's mind blowing! your patience must come in second to your obvious talent! Thanks for sharing with us!

[rickm]

Re: Recent Spoon

well thanks again thats not quite what i meant but it will, I hope your teaching masters classes in carving as your waaaay over anything I have thought of. its nice to talk to someone with such creative talent. I wont bother you any for for "trade secrets" I apologize.

[LBlake]

Re: Recent Spoon

Thanks again, all!

Rick, sorry I misunderstood what you meant - what did you mean? I'm happy to answer - no secrets here! I'm still learning... no classes here... not sure what is involved in teaching, but thanks for the compliment!

[rickm]

Re: Recent Spoon

one of the reasons Im so interested is that years ago when my kids were little I spent hours with a scrollsaw, making toys and fretwork, some got pretty elaborate. Even made that Eiffel Tower thing. I always saw the potential for artistry with the scroll saw but never mastered it at your level. so, then I adopted carving. I can see how you have combined the two to make wonderful pieces and it speaks to my lack of imagination that I didnt, but I still find it fascinating. so that is one reason why Im so intrigued.
the big saws always scared me, so I guess Im not too macho (but I am) but the scroll saw was something that can make beautiful things. I have always been surprised that fretwork hasnt gotten more acclaim. Anyway it is the perfect blend of the woodworking/carving experience and I take my hat off to you for making that bridge.
H and K, and I guess it goes without saying it took a gurl to undercover the mystery and combine the two motifs in such a spectalular fashion. U go girl!!!

[Lenny]

Re: Recent Spoon

That spoon is so awesome. I really love the overall look of it. The time you spent on it really shows...that is such a keeper

[LBlake]

Re: Recent Spoon

Thanks again!

[rickm]

Re: Recent Spoon

dont know how to explain this but when you do these do you cut the intersecting points all the way thru? Like a chain? or is it surface cuts? Some look like they are cut thru and some dont

[vllsr]

Re: Recent Spoon

Love the square design. And that is beautiful wood. You did a wonderful job, Thank you for posting pics.
Vito

[LBlake]

Re: Recent Spoon

RickM, I think you are asking if the overlaps are detached. They are not, but in most cases they just as well could be - they overlap enough to be detached, but since one layer would still be laying on top of another layer, I don't detach them. It's stronger this way. Hope I understood & hope that helps.

[rickm]

Re: Recent Spoon

thanks for replying again, i really apologize for being such a pest. I am trying something similar, but I am seperating them, or "detaching" as you say, and in some instances it works and in some its a nightmare. thanks again

[LBlake]

Re: Recent Spoon

No problem at all - I'm glad to answer. Good luck with your carving!

[feb]

Re: Recent Spoon

Very nice job, on a difficult spoon.

feb

[David Stanley]

Re: Recent Spoon

Just spotted your latest spoon Laura. A superbly crafted and designed spoon. Showing immense affection for the carving work involved.

There must have been quite a bit of daring forcefulness in that carving work as well as sensitive and gentle care, to extract such a delicate and elegant design from your timber. Of course this is consistently evident in your other spoons on your site.

I think it only makes sense to use a scroll saw or hand fretsaw, whenever that's the best way to do it and cutting through piercings with edge tools, isn't actually the easier and or safer way for the work to be done, as it might be in some instances.

How do you go about designing the celtic knot-work on your spoons? Do you use one of the various construction methods that have been published? I use a font I purchased from www.clanbadge.com as an aid in producing a knot that would suit my purpose. By that I mean, it can generate for me a pleasing knot and establish where all the unders and overs go and this prototype knot I can then re-draw with the weight in the ribbons that looks best and the overall shape I need for the rest of the design. I'm just wondering how others design their knot work, I don't mind using the easiest way that works.

[LBlake]

Re: Recent Spoon

Thanks again, all.
David, knotwork is something I struggle with quite a bit. I am very interested in it. So far, I just draw it from scratch, and sometimes come up with a nice-looking bit of knotwork. I make sure I keep the over-under throughout, since I learned that was important, and I am definitely influenced by celtic knotwork I've seen... although, the more I come across, the broader that influence becomes. Thanks for posting the link to where you got that font - clever idea. On the other hand, sometimes I abandon the celtic look, and go for a more organic look, like vines or tree limbs. Always experimenting and learning. Are you working on another spoon yet? Looking forward to when you do!