Ever seen Spalted Fig??

[hairytoes]

Here's one I made today.
I found some off cuts from my Fig tree at the bottom of my garden, actually quite a lot of it - but the Spanish being as they are....MOST OF IT HAD BEEN BURNT!!! :evil: :evil:

I made a candle stick for the 1st time, finished in friction polish (which has a highly flammable sticker on the back!! :lol: ).

I hope to be able to salvage another piece big enough for a pair.

Anyway what do you think?

Phot's not the best, spalting isn't magnificant - like I've seen on some pieces here.

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[dickm]

Interesting shape, but were the figs any good??????

 

[stevebuk]

hmmm nice picture of the garden, shame someone put thast candlestick in the way.. :wink:

 

[PowerTool]

Nice combination of beads and coves,a very good exercise in tool control;like the figuring,and looks very nicely finished

Andrew

 

[hairytoes]

hopefully I can make the 2nd one tommorrow & post it.

I'm quite happy with my progress & glad to have my spindle gouges working again.

Figs aren't in season yet Dick, but they go great with serrano & a glass of fino when they are!! 8) 8)

 

[hairytoes]

Well I've managed to salvage a presentable piece of the spalted fig from the bonfire, it should be big enough for another candlestick (I hope & pray).

I've reduced it to a cylinder & made up my marking stick.

All that is needed now is the nerve to go & attempt my 1st effort at copy turning.

I've thought about trying it out in some pine 1st, but fortune favours the brave so here goes, wish me luck.

I'll post the results whatever they may be. :shock:

PS. I've got butterflies & I'm absolutely kackng my pants!

 

[Jenx]

heh heh ... go for it HT ..... whats the worst that can happen ? :wink:

Look forward to seeing the result.... fingers crossed... you'll have a 'clone' of Number 1 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

 

[hairytoes]

Right guys here she is, I must admit that they're not exactly Identical Twins - but it must be admitted that Twins they are.

Felt a bit like bungee jumping with sharks, so I sort of bottled it a wee bit around the ball shape.

The Spalting in the 2nd one turned out to be pretty mental!!!

I'm glad I just went for it, as the heightened fear factor :twisted: , really focused the mind.

All in all a very good excercise & I'm really glad to have attempted it - Keith Rowley advocates copy turning from an early stage & I absolutely concur with the legend that is he.
He didn't meantion how terrifying it is though!!

I feel these are my best pieces to date.

PS I'm off for a beer!!![/img]

 

[hairytoes]

PS

Has anyone ever seen Spalted Fig before, these may well be unique??

 

[Bodrighy]

I am impressed. Speaking as someone who has great difficulty in repeating anything I admire your accuracy. I have never heard of fig wood being used let alone spalted fig. Something to be proud of there HT

Pete

 

[Jenx]

You've done pretty well, there I'd say HT .... no doubt about their 'sibling-ness' ! You're a lot closer than I'd have managed, thats for sure !
Definately worthy of a confident shout of "SNAP" ! 8)
Nice One !

As mentioned before.. i'm new to this malarkey too... but in all the things I've read and 'googled', I've not personally heard of the wood of the Fig Tree being used before.... its a new one on me !
Perhaps the 'wiser heads' will know different though.

Its good to try something different.... especially when it succeeds !

Well done... I'd say you could call that a resounding success !
8) 8) 8)

 

[Paul.J]

Very nice HT
looks a lovelt piece of wood,and you have done a really good job,for a first attempt at matching :shock:
How was the wood to turn :?:

 

[hairytoes]

Very nice HT
looks a lovelt piece of wood,and you have done a really good job,for a first attempt at matching :shock:
How was the wood to turn :?:

The wood was actually very nice to turn, had a nice fruity smell & the shavings were nice & clean.

It was pretty dry from lying about under the sun all day over here, for god knows how long.
I'm just glad that I managed to salvage it at all, most of it was pretty burnt!! But it turned out nicely I suppose.

I've been seasrching the Net for spalted Fig & I can find no references - so I wonder just how unique these 2 pieces could be??
I had a wee go at my Landlord today for burning the wood, he hasn't got a clue about how rare it could turn out to be - he likes the candle sticks though.
I could've had plenty more to play with if he hadn't had a bonfire - that's what they do with wood over here. :twisted:

 

[PowerTool]

Wow :shock: what fantastic colouring
And congratulations on creating an almost identical pair!

Andrew

 

[hairytoes]

My 1st sale!!!

Sold the pair of candlesticks...well swapped them actually.

My friend is an artist who specialises in Flamenco paintings & I've had my eye on a fantastic painting of his for a while.

I showed him the candlesticks & we made a swop, he's really happy with them & I'm happy to finally get my hands on a cracking painting & also really happy to sell pieces after only turning for such a short time.

Just wanted to share my happiness, I'll post a picture of the painting if that's appropriate??
I think I got the better deal (he's been painting much longer than I've been turning) but I think that the rareity of the wood counts for alot, also the mental spalting on the 2nd one he likes a lot!!

PS. Sorry to go on, I guess I'm just excited (newwbie ).

 

[Anonymous]

Congrats!

Yes, luv to see the painting please...

 

[Paul.J]

Well done HT.
Will also look forward to the painting
Is it worth £17 million :lol:

 

[CHJ]

....
........ Sorry to go on, I guess I'm just excited ...

With good reason on several counts, meeting the self set challenge, recognizing the hidden qualities in the wood, and working to a standard appreciated by others.

=D> =D>

 

[PowerTool]

Quite agree,Chas - it's a lovely feeling when you make something you feel proud of,but nicer still when other people appreciate it

Hopefully,the excitement will never wear off (for any of us..)

Andrew

 

[hairytoes]

Here's a photo of the painting my friend swopped me for the candlesticks.

It took me a while to get it, due to much drinking and dancing at the feria - so here it is.

I've always liked it & it shows all the grace & colourfullness of the Spanish Flamenco to good effect (IMO).[/img]