WOOD INLAID PELICAN - POST XIII

JUST TO SHOW THERE IS MORE TO MY LIFE THAN WOOD:

But first the completed box.

Back when I started the Pelican project, I mentioned that I was going to use the electric scrollsaw, instead of the home made, hand powered scrollsaw and gauge the difference. First the electric scrollsaw is easier on the wrist, not much of a drawback. As for speed, electric maybe a bit faster, however the home made scrollsaw is much more relaxing, it is also a lot more accurate, as the blade is travelling much slower. the cut is much the same on both the scrollsaws. I will probably keep using the Ryobi as overall, being in a wheelchair it makes life slightly easier.

The other thing I didn't know, was the brown wood veneer, I used for the box, after searching the world to identify the timber, I found the answer in my own back yard (not literally), I am pretty shore it is good old Tasmanian Oak. As it was so old and dry, it wasn't until I applied oil to the finish, that the characteristics of the wood showed up.

I don't know about the Butterfly inside the lid, I like it, but not shore it goes with the Pelican on the lid. It certainly looks better than the Celtic Pelican, never seen anything more ugly.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the pattern you can email me I am most happy to talk about anything to do with woodwork.

holmesp06@gmail.com

Next the day not doing woodplay:

My wife needed some fabric for a quilt she is making, she found it on the internet, at a small patchwork shop a couple of hours from where we live, Kyogle a small country town in Northern New South Wales. 

Beautiful little town with lots of young people in the streets, unlike most rural towns, the cafe's seem busy, otherwise business seems quiet, much the same as everywhere (Thanks Tony Abbott). 

Had a rant the other day about how corporate businesses especially hardware (Bunnings), are destroying small specialty shops in this country, and probably world wide. I went into Miter 10 Hardware to get a couple of things for my hobby (obsession) wood inlay/marquetry, to find the exact same c--p that I didn't buy in our local $2 shop, It was twice the price. Won't be going back there.

On a brighter note, we drove through Gods own country. On the way home we decided to go through Casino a larger country town, I lived in about 40 years ago.

This is the building where I worked, it was the National Bank of Australasia Ltd, at a time when banks were banks, serving the community, I remember when I first started working back in 1969, the year man first walked on the moon, the branch (Ballina) was the most profitable in country NSW, they made A$28,800.00 profit for the year, times have changed, what did I hear the CBA have made 8 billion this year.

That was where I worked, this is where I drank, the Royal Hotel, I spent a lot of nights there, I don't remember.

Town seems a bit quiet at the moment (again thanks Tony Abbott).

Another shot of the local.

Great access for wheelchairs, I had to go round the roundabout with the traffic, before I could get back on the footpath.

Next stop Coraki, on the beautiful Richmond River.

For anyone that has had the pleasure of seeing "the GODS OF WHEAT STREET" on the ABC, that is the Australian ABC, this was one of the best drama series I have ever seen on Australian television. The series was set in Wheat street Casino as the name may suggest, it is about an Aboriginal family, but could just as easily be about any of us who grew up on the North Coast of New South Wales. Most of the on location filming was done in this little rural town.

That was Coraki.

Then onto Kilgan (Woodburn), after I resigned from the bank, I had met the love of my life on didn't want to be transferred out of the area, I worked on the sugar cane and in local rural industry for a couple of years until we were married.

I had to get some photos of the old buildings along the way. I wish, I could get closer to take pictures, but it is a bit difficult in the wheelchair.

And then there is that river, it's like the waters run through my vanes.

Ah well, back to the wood.

I have not decided on my next project, I'd like to do a small chest of draws or small writing desk, however the wheelchair might be a bit restrictive.

Some might say I have a problem, maybe, but I enjoy it. Above is a bag of partly completed or bits of marquetry I have done to test an idea, as I hate waist I have to do something with them.

 Makes a pretty good collage.

For the next week or so, I have a few personal things to attend to, so will spend my spare time finishing off some previously started projects. I will write an explanation as I go.

I also have two marquetry boxes, to prepare for the local Naval 

association, they intend raffling them to raise funds for the Naval cadets a worthy cause helping the young maneuver through life. I wish there were a way of getting the young involved in woodwork. it is so rewarding and gives a person a sense of achievement and self worth.

Be back tomorrow all going well, thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. If you have any questions you can email me at.

holmesp06@gmail.com