Last one before Christmas

This was a tricky one, not only having one unwilling participant - which did create one of the more interesting hand casts I've done, although a lot of work - this project involved a lot of misinformation and secrecy and smokescreening after one of the children let the cat out of the bag! All part of the job!!!
Collected on Christmas Eve, this beautiful piece was mounted on a gorgeous piece of yew (which I didn't want to part with) and the casts were fixed with polished lengths of rebar - from a family member, just to add that small personal touch.
Rebar - great for concrete reinforcement, not great as an artistic medium - it is very tough!!!
Thankfully, the recipient of this surprise loved every detail about it, job well done.

Full circle

I keep seeing those posts of "what my parents think I do", "what I really do" etc. Turns out I had a real life instance of "what my neighbour thinks I do".

Can you do this Red Arrow model for me? I need it as a cake decoration.

Erm not really what I do....ok.... When for?

Lunchtime tomorrow.

Urgh

It is still the same kit that I made (badly) as a child.... and ironically the first model I made with my son.. But I do feel somewhat vindicated as it is a truly terrible kit and would not fit together anyway!

Late night. .. built in the semi darkness of the kitchen after the children had gone to bed. ...meh!

Life casting in volume

Since taking some casts of my newborn's hands and feet, I seem to have generated a casting frenzy. Including my daughter demanding it as an activity for her birthday party. ...6 year olds hyped up on party food? Let's just say it was educational. It has however led to some other, more practical projects. The first of which went out today.

Table envy

I the continuation of unusual projects, I was recently asked to restore a table that had languished outdoors and fallen to the elements into new glory as a dining table.
Under the thick oppressive lacquer was a rare beauty of wood that would never have made a commercial showroom in its natural state. Cleaned up, sanded,  with a light oil and wax, it had such character that it was hard to part with... Everyone who saw it fell in love with it.
My work area looks naked without it now and I despise my own kitchen table for its simple and functional blandness. ..

Christmas is here!

A very special delivery arrived today. .. My first 3d printer! Now to figure out how it works. ..

In the pursuit of randomness

Recently there have been some interesting and somewhat bizarre projects coming my way.  From a birthday party game in the form of a minion with removable mouth (modeled by my beautiful assistants), as a beanbag toss for a 40th birthday. .. to a pub sign for a biker's man cave, oh and logo design and letterhead for a construction company. Not my usual diet but it has been fun!

Where have I been?

I know there haven't been many posts recently. A lousy start to the year has left me with a spinal injury and unable to work. ..6 months of tests and waiting for tests and I still don't know what is going on. Trapped at home I have managed to do little bits between bouts of agony mostly incredibly random. ..an emergency 20 minute ice hockey puck for a photo shoot, repainting a walking stick repair to blend the wood grain, some graphic design work (somewhat out of my skill set and comfort zone) and an epic 1/6 th scale barrel from the movie Jaws. And then there is the handful of random projects that have been gathering dust for a few years and now can see the light of day once more. .. Anything to keep from climbing the walls and travelling that short road to total inanity!

Break in the weather

Working in the garden has its draw backs,  especially with the recent weather.  But I have managed to get out and finish off the basic poly carved shape so I can make a bit of progress with this prop. Loads of other projects on the go at the moment including 2 small films. Loving it.