Due to the issues I was having with finishes, I’ve reworked and started refinishing the first batch of implements for sale. Watch for an announcement next week.

Also, I approached a semi famous person who has brought me, and many others, quite a bit of pleasure and offered her a custom piece as a way of saying thanks! She has accepted, and I’m working feverishly on a couple of different ones for her. The best will go to her, and the rest will be available for the rest of you. If she allows, I hope to have a pic, and maybe a few words from her.

Enjoy the pics!

[View with PicLens]

 

I’ve gotten a few queries on what I’m using to make toys with, and where I am getting it from.
Currently the answer is fairly simple. About two years ago, I had 3 large Norway maples taken down in my yard. Those are where the maple I’m using is coming from.

Sustainable? No, because they are not being replanted. Eventually, we plan on planting some dwarf Apple trees in the yard, but that is a different story.

I will in the future be using other woods, and will do my best to choose woods that are reclaimed, or certified by The FSC. One source that I am looking into is deadfall branches from friends, neighbors and local parks. That’ll give me an excuse to get outside and visit nature and freinds.

I will also be working with marble, granite and other stone, which I will be sourcing from local stonesmiths – using their cutoffs – which would otherwise end up in landfills.

While I could never be described as a “back to nature” kind of guy – I love technology and creature comforts way too much! – I don’t much believe in being wasteful.

So sorry for a lack of updates and such. One of my finishes got contaminated with sawdust, requiring me to redo six toys. Sand them all the way back to plain wood, and recoat.
The dust particles are unseen, until the finish dries. At that point, there’s much head scratching and cursing.
I’ll be able to start up again in the next few days, which means about another week before the first batch goes up for sale.