After countless weeks of carving with chisels, the power tools, then small gouges, the baby has been born!

American Black Walnut it a very special wood that requires a certain feel for when the media is ready to carve, and when it needs to rest. This block had been aged, but as I carved, it let me know when it was getting to moist, and needed to rest. Like a young horse, it could only absorb so much new information in a day. At times this was frustrating, I wanted to continue, but knew if I did, all would be lost in a crack or warp.

When the carving was complete, I let the piece sit for a few days, and then began sanding. I sanded for 6 days, Sunday I rested! Curves like that require patience. With the help of God and great sandpaper, I completed sanding this week. I almost feel as though I have gone through Lent! Thanks to Jon the finishing was quite enjoyable. This commission was a challenge that taught me to persevere. I enjoy these commissioned pieces, and miss them when the go off to their new homes.

I am so proud of my wife Jennifer’s carving skills, she is half way to the completion of an absolutely beautifully carved floral pipe stand for one of her clients in California.

Jon

This commissioned stand has been a work in progress for most of the summer.  In the earlier pictures, you can see I started out with hand chisels and a mallet.  I needed to begin slowly to allow this burl to dry and season properly.

In these pictures the rough out is nearly complete on the right and left sides. Just some minor flourishes to finish. Then on to front and back. This stand will accommodate two pipes. One Rhodesian, and one straight pipe.

I am finding that black walnut is quite a lovely wood to carve. I always look forward to working on this piece even though it has been a real challenge. The right and left side must be symmetrical, while the front and back will be different. I will let the curves define the balance of the front and back. I hope to have one end resemble a fiddlehead. Hope to be in the finishing stages soon.

I thought I would post a few new pipes for your viewing.  The Cherrywood and the Bent Freehand will be available on my web site this coming week of July 18^th.  I love both; the Cherrywood has a beautiful grain and a band of Olive wood.  The finish is a deep rich Chestnut.  This Bent Freehand is a stout pipe with nice thick walls and a square shank.  It has a Walnut finish with warm golden highlight.  The ebonite stem has an ivory band.  Both pipes are so comfortable to hold.

Cherrywood #0288

Bent Freehand #0289

Here I am beginning a commission for a favorite collector of my stands.The stand will be acanthus leaveswrapping around two pipes.The pipes will be a straight and a Rhodesian.The wood is a spectacular piece of black walnut.

This piece of black walnut is highly figured, and about as hard as any wood I have ever carved. Our neighbor who is a contractor, made the original cuts with his industrial saw. His power saw had a rough time squaring this block up for me. This made me re-think how to begin carving this monster. Power tools will be used to do some of the detail, but the rough out must be done the old fashioned way, with a chisel & mallet.

After a few hours in 100-degree heat, I can appreciate the work that centuries old craftsmen went through to make the magnificent embellishments that grace furniture and homes of old. At hour two, I began to feel my stride.The rhythm came back, and the chips began to fly.

By the end of the weekend I expect to have my rough shape ready to carve with finer tools. Stay Tuned…………….

Jennifer