I've been picking away at things - making boxes these days to fill some orders and to have a couple to sell. I think this is only the 2nd time I've made a pile of boxes at once. parts of 5 boxes at once Today I assembled some of the bits on the b…
I've been picking away at things - making boxes these days to fill some orders and to have a couple to sell. I think this is only the 2nd time I've made a pile of boxes at once.
parts of 5 boxes at once
Today I assembled some of the bits on the bench for the 4th one. So this weekend I'll make bottoms and lids for it and the small one there. While I've been doing all that carving, I've shot some video segments that I'll turn into full-blown videos on carving different patterns. The "strapwork" design on the box with the carved lid is one I've been learning more and more about for the past 20+ years. Here it is incised, before any background removal. All these cuts are different sized gouges and chisels struck with a mallet. This sort of design cannot tolerate any mistakes. Lots of planning, lots of concentration.
the outline, struck with gouges & chisels
Then I go around and chop out behind all these cuts to begin removing that background. This step makes it safe to then have at it and really cut that background out.
background step 1
Then go over it again - this time working to get the background even. Not flat, even. It can & should have some facets showing, but not big bumps. Eventually a stippled punch textures that background. That step I think is more about making a clear distinction between the foreground and background than it is about "hiding" the facets. This photo below is not quite done - the volutes need hollowing. Another whole story.
not done, but almost
It's staggering how many tools I use to cut these patterns, but I don't see any other way around it.
lots of tools
Jump ahead - here's the finished box.
PF red oak & white pine, June 2024
Two other things - one is Lost Art Press has the Joint Stool book I did with Jennie Alexander on sale - $17
The other is that I've been making a website, something I haven't had for ages & ages. People wondered why I bothered, but someone last week was asking about having a carved box made. Now I can send them a link to a whole array of boxes I've made. And places to sell stuff like the carving drawings/plans & videos. Imagine - a website to sell stuff. What will they think of next?
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