more plant pot decor

This will probably be the final batch of plant pokes until after Christmas as ‘other priorities’ take over … also, the workshop gets hellish cold at this time of year due to gaping gaps under the doors and roof which may as well not be there when the cold winter gales get going!

Click image for full view!

As ever these were made using the power carver, actually my new power carver following the untimely demise of my last one.  I went for a different model and whilst it doesn’t have the same grunt as it’s predecessor it’s actually not too bad once you get used to it’s foibles!  Next time I may need to invest in one of the heavier duty motors.

There’s a good chance that I’ll be putting the power carver to greater use in the future for larger carvings, currently I exclusively use traditional hand tools for these but the amount of time this takes just even from a roughing out point-of-view can be excruciating … time will tell.  Still at least the traditional tools can be used in the house … by the fire!

more hand carved plant pokery plant pot decoration fun

I’ve developed a real joy out of making these little characters, generally I’ll closet myself away in the workshop, put on some Razorlight and get into a general carving frenzy.

This batch were made using some of the last remains of the silver fir and elm, although I do have some european larch, Birch and Ash waiting in the wings for when the mood next takes me.

Here are a few group photos for your pleasure:

As much as I’d love to upload these to the shop we’re continuing to stock up for a glut of craft fayre’s in the run up to Christmas, our main event will be in Dundee with a couple of smaller events more locally.  Details will follow in due course anyway.

Dougie the Fir – Wood Carving

This is the first larger carving I have completed using my new gouges, they have essentially allowed me to abandon the set of craft knives I had been using and at the same time has also eliminated the fear I had of breaking the rather flimsy knives.  The gouges have certainly made life a lot less difficult, making cutting and shaping far simpler and far less frustrating!

Dougie Fir had been living at the foot of our garden when I discovered him during some routine maintenance. Seemingly he’s been there for some time living amongst the rather awkward and jaggy Sitka family of wood sprites. To be honest I think he was grateful to be rescued from amongst their clutches.

Generally he seems like a bit of a sad fellow, his sad eyes show the lie of his forced grin. Personally I just think he needs some decent company and a good cuppa tea, but I think he’s disconcerted by his current view from where he can see his former captors. In this case I’m sure that a bit of distance will do more to heal his wounds than any encouragement I can offer.

I have also used paints on this carving to a far greater extent than I have on previous carvings where I have limited things to eyes and lips.  On this occasion the entire carving has been painted, either with the application of various washes or with more detailed work.  The over-all effect has come out better than I expected and I think it’s an aspect of the carving that I shall continue to develop.

This item is available for sale in the shop:  http://madestuffshop.etsy.com