Hand Carved Another Little Vase
By koopharper
@koopharper (7524)
Canada
May 12, 2024 1:51pm CST
I do this on my breaks at work so I don't fall asleep. Important for me to keep my hands busy. The guys would sneak out of the break room and let me sleep most of the day away but I kind of need to get paid.
There are a couple of other artistic twists I want to try for bud vases. I haven't explored any bark-on-style work. Part of me is aware that I have to diversify my offerings though. So I'm not sure what I'm going to whittle at this point.
I'm going to go out and borrow the company Sawzall and harvest some material. Don't want to be falling asleep.
11 people like this
9 responses
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
12 May
The wood is Quaking Aspen which is a kind of Poplar. There is lots of it available here and I'm still trying to figure out what I can best use it for. I drilled the hole for the top with a hand drill the rest was carved with a knife and a small Japanese-style handsaw.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (208326)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 May
@koopharper Sounds like fun! How hard is quaking Aspen?
2 people like this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
12 May
@TheHorse It's not very hard. About 500 on the Janka hardness scale. To put that in perspective, pine is about the same while cherry is about 950.
2 people like this
@kareng (56242)
• United States
13 May
@koopharper Looks very nice! Do you ever stain them or leave them in natural state?
2 people like this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
13 May
@kareng I do have stains of various shades. I do use them occasionally but not on a wood I'm not familiar with. I like the natural colour in most cases. I will do more staining when I do some tea light holders.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (59720)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
Can't say I blame you on that one.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (59720)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 May
@koopharper That's a good thing, too.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
12 May
The other upside to whittling on my breaks is that I usually come up with something that can be sold in my Etsy shop.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (74599)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
That is a beautiful vase, I love natural things made out of wood,
2 people like this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
12 May
Thank you. I will probably make a few more but use a different kind of wood. I love working with wood. Carving it or turning it on the lathe.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
13 May
Keeps my hands moving like knitting used to do for my mom.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328095)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 May
@koopharper For me, it's crocheting. 
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
12 May
I'm not advanced enough to do anything really intricate. I'm happy with something simpler like this.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (158140)
• United States
13 May
Sounds like you have a hard time staying awake. You do really nice work, though.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
13 May
My day job is pretty physically demanding and I'm not getting younger. I probably should get more sleep at home but I always have so many things that need to be done.
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
13 May
Thank you. There were quite a few times during the process that this one gave me doubts. Keep whittling until I like it.
@koopharper (7524)
• Canada
13 May
Started a couple more little projects today. I hope to change it up some and do some other items. Thank you.
1 person likes this
