Merit Badge Beads

Angie contacted me about carving pine cone beads for their Boy Scout troop. She couldn't locate any online or in local bead stores. This sparked my interest because I didn't have any idea what they would be. She said they would be like Merit Wood Badge beads, 1 inch long by 1/2 inch in diameter and brown. A set will be attached to a cord and worn around the neck. The cord in the picture isn't the one they will be using. There is a rich history with Wood Badge beads and the Boy Scouts for their leadership. They will be presented to the scouts in late October. I started out with a 1/2 inch square by about 3 inches long. A little over 1 inch in length was rounded to a pine cone shape. I drew around the cone at 3/16 inch spaces from 1/4 inch from the top. I used the corners of the square and the middle of the flat parts to free hand draw the vertical lines. Then X the squares. I used a chip knife to cut straight down on the V lines and then angle cut out the chip. I carve around each line before going down to the next one. On the very bottom I used a v tool to carve to the point. I clamped the square part in a vise to drill a 3 mm hole for the cord. Then sawed it off to 1 inch and rounded the top and painted it. This is for our future leaders.

 

Montana Happy Turtle

I received an e-mail from a lady who participated in my class of the happy turtle at the West Glacier Rendezvous. She had finished the turtle and sent some kind words and a picture. I like the paint job and the scene that explains why the turtle is happy. It is encouraging  to see the work of others.

Cross Ornament

The inside of this cross was opened up by drilling a series of holes on the center line of the side.  I angled the cross to drill out the center. With a knife and gouge I opened the drilled area. I carved though at a angle to the center and in the opposite direction on other side. I did a simple chip carving on both sides and scalloped all the ends. The finish cross is Alizarin Crimson oil color and linseed oil.  It's 4 inches long and out of 3/4 inch basswood.

Roadrunner

I carved this roadrunner at the West Glacier Rendezvous. I remember the Roadrunner and Wile Coyote cartoon, beep, beep. It may not look like the cartoon caricature or the real roadrunner, but it was fun to carve. I don't know if his eyes are worried or tired. The ribs of the Saguaro Cactus were carved with a v tool in short cuts. The Saguaro Cactus grows maybe one inch a year, but to a great height of 15 to 50 feet. The largest plants are estimated to be 200 years old. They flower in May and June. If fertilization has occurred fruit will begin to form. The 3 inch green fruit ripens just before the fall rainy season, splitting open to reveal the bright red, pulpy flesh. The natives use the fruit for jam and nectar.

 

Gnome

A few very nice days at West Glacier KOA and a carving Rendezvous with friends. Lots of classes and fellowship. One of the classes was a Gnome. I took this class because of Leroy. I wanted to learn more on how to teach carving. He is a great teacher and I spent more time listening to him talking to the beginners than carving. This is a very good beginning project and fun to carve. I did finish carving and painted the Gnome. I did teach a class on the happy turtle, a picture of it on the May post. I did use some of the points from Leroy on teaching. I was taken back when a lady told me she was blind. She was also in a wheelchair. She wanted to be able to carve something in bed when she went into cancer treatment next week. She could see a bit on the lines and could feel the goby. It was a special time for both of us and it makes me think of what little problems I have with my eyes and health. It is a time I will remember.

Pencil Santa

The school supplies are out and I found these large size pencils. This is the time to buy them while they are in stock. They said they were premium wood, so they must be for carving. They are made from cedar. I intended to give these to preschoolers around Christmas and I was told by wife and daughter I didn't buy enough pencils, whatever that means. They are fun to carve and it doesn't take a lot of time.

Santa Ornament

This is a Gargac style Santa ornament that is 4 1/2 inches long and cut diagonally from a 2 inch block, The back is dished out so it can be cut through in three spots. The beard and hair was painted with a watered down burnt sienna and then painted with a few coats of white, witch also was watered down. The hat is more burgundy then red with a gold trim. I did a few of these last year with white trim on the hat. This one is going to a raffle in a couple of weeks.