Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Do what you love, but do it carefully.

I have been busily working away lately and I try to always keep my tools in good shape. I like to make sure they are sharp and working correctly. (After my son had to get stitches in his leg, I am very aware of the damage a dull drill bit and a power tool can do in a matter of seconds...)  But, sometimes, no matter how new or sharp of a tool, they can still break.  

I bought this drill bit not too long ago and was in the middle of making some candles and a few jewelry boxes when all of the sudden the drill bit lost its grip and spun off the log. It just missed my leg by about an inch. It happened so quickly, I didn't even realize what had happened until I examined the drill bit. The center point was gone, missing. Where was it? I quickly did a check - was it embedded in my leg and I just wasn't aware of it yet? I checked again and luckily it wasn't. 

I searched for a few minutes, but never did find that missing drill bit tip. I realize that there wasn't anything I could have done to prevent this, but sometimes that is just what happens. Such is how it is working with power tools. 

Anyway, when working with power tools, please be as safe as you can. Accidents can and will happen and it only takes a split second. I don't think you should stop doing something you love because it is dangerous or because of what "might happen". If you find something you love to do, just do it as safely as possible so you can continue to do it for a long time to come. 

To this day, I never, ever use my skilsaw with the 12" blade without first doing a thumb and finger check. I also always think of the wise words from the man who sold it to us. Those words were, "Be careful. This thing will take off a finger before you even know it was cut off!" I like to keep those words in my head to keep my fingers safe. :)

Take care.


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Bringing out the beauty in redwood.

I brought home a piece of redwood over the weekend. I took off a thin strip of it, sanded it down and drilled a hole.
It was looking a little dull, so to make it really stand out and bring out the beauty of the wood, I added a clear topcoat. Redwood is really pretty on its own, but once you bring out the colors, it is gorgeous.

I then added a clock mechanism in the back, a few clock numbers on the front, the hands and whaaaalaaaa! It's a redwood clock! 

Have I mentioned lately how much I love to make things from pieces of wood?  



If you are interested in this clock, or maybe you would like me to make you a custom order, please feel free to contact me here or at www.etsy.com/shop/DeerwoodCreekGifts

and Twitter at www/twitter.com/DeerwoodCreek

Thursday, July 5, 2012

It's log! :)

It's log! I saw this log and had to take it home. How could I not, right?  



This log is pear and is a really pretty color. I couldn't wait to get it home and get it cleaned up.

While I was working on another project, my son decided he wanted to take the bark off the log. I will never turn down a kid who is offering to work, so I let him have at it.

This was after 15 minutes or so.

About 45 minutes. Bark is a lot harder to get off a log than I thought. Well, than my son thought, I should say.

But, it was worth it! This log is beautiful!

I sanded it down and am letting it sit for a month to dry it out.

But, in the meantime, it makes for the best workbench I have ever had. I think I am going to sand it down again and then add a clear top coat. Might turn it into an end table. Maybe add a piece of glass and make a small table. I am thinking of selling it, but I really do like having it around, so might get more logs and make another.