A memory piece

[BeckyN]

Here it's ranging from -48 to -53c windchill. Definitely carving and woodstove weather! Sometimes I giggle when I see some talk -10, but then realize it's only my normal life!
stay warm everyone!
My blizzard yesterday was nothing at 1:12 pm, than 1:13 0.2 visibility!
temp -34-38 c....

[BeckyN]

Checking it out now, always love new ideas! Thanks Joe!

[BeckyN]

Thanks Brian, will see if they have coarse! Otherwise online shopping time!

[BeckyN]

I have the Bulldog brand, super fine, makes a huge mess and falls apart everywhere. But it could have been old stock!

[BeckyN]

Thank you everyone! She had her send off today, to head south for preparation, we have no facilities here.
My friend gets her piece Friday.
Thank you Glenn, will try that when I get a chance! I have tons of scrap pieces I can play around with. I never paint , too tedious for me lol

[BeckyN]

Thank you all! Is it a norm to sand or steel wool pieces ? I find it takes the shine from the wood, and have only done it btwn oil on a few pieces.
rookie speak, of course!
boiled linseed oil is a lifesaver for the plain pieces, did a side by side of the 2, the tung oil one cracked badly,...

[BeckyN]

My friend just lost her mother last week, so I worked all weekend and made her this piece, her mother was a well loved community member, and was known as the Cookie lady for always having fresh cookies every day for the local kids. I hope she loves it!
The back was kind of cruddy, so I scraped...

[BeckyN]

Thanks Claude!...

[BeckyN]

That looks awesome!...

[BeckyN]

Thanks Ed! I am going to do some research on both and see the downsides to the wood!

[BeckyN]

Awesome! Up here nothing grows until june, we have pretty late springs, but I would love to grow some in my yard!
the buds were sticky when we cut the tree a few weeks ago. Sappy type sticky.
off to find a big jar!

[BeckyN]

Ah, can I carve it green I wonder? Might cut a test piece and try a lil polar bear!
thanks Brian T, I know there is cottenwood south of us, I was told it was birch from some up here, but I said I didn't think so.
i know that the leaves go super yellow in fall, and the branches go straight...

[BeckyN]

We were on the river, and found a lil forest of these non native trees. I would love to carve the wood, but not sure the species, can anyone identify it. My hubby says theg have only been up here for almost 50 yrs, they came up with flood waters.

[BeckyN]

Would it help to know I don't oil the bottom of the pieces, I only oil the rest. I have not had any problems with curing tho. Willow dries so darn fast its amazing overnight how hard it can get, and how much it can crack!
I learned the hardway when forgetting to freeze my wip.
I have kept...

[BeckyN]

I was reading up on the removing the pithe, I like that idea!
with willows, I can't have any drying time until it is finished, or it us nearly impossible to carve, it turns into near cement when dry.
so much great info! Thank you everyone!

[BeckyN]

It's walnut! I use it as a stage, since it's cracked through the middle so useless for carving as a whole!
its a comfortable area!
the rodent is my rat, bubbles!...

[BeckyN]

Thank you JJF!

[BeckyN]

Thank you Bill!...

[BeckyN]

Good to know! When I decide to actually use paints!
here is a updated picture on the bear! Worked out perfectly in the end!

[BeckyN]

That looks awesome! Love the detail!