We’ve begun work on the large custom-made chandelier for the Copper Crown. There is no artistic rendering, but Peter and I have discussed it at length and are clear about how it will look when finished. Peter first sculpted a dragon’s head, scanned it with his phone and then created a digital model. This model was imported into our software to create a CNC router file. We added a wood texture to the file, so the final result will appear to be a heavy wood beam. Our ShopSabre routed the halves of the textured beams. Next, we’ll cut cores with a chase for the wiring. The two crossed beams will be assembled with a steel ring embedded through them to hold up the dripping candle lights. Stay tuned to see this exciting project become a reality…
Mossy delight
Almost every day, I bike ride just over twenty kilometres along the river trails. The trails go through a lush rainforest with a wide variety of flora and fauna along the way. Riding along the paths is relaxing and inspiring and has become my happy place. This year, I’ve been stopping often and taking tons of pictures. Those pictures were used as a reference as I sculpted the twisted maple tree that is part of my Lyrical Toad entry for the Sign Invitational. Of special interest was the moss that grows in the dense, shaded forest near the river trail. I enjoyed sculpting it, and today I finished painting it. This was accomplished by painting the moss a dark green, applying a dark brown/purple glaze and then gently drybrushing some bright mossy green highlights. In real life, it is pretty convincing, and I was delighted with the result. Now it is time to move on to painting the toad. Stay tuned…
Soap-box racing
Having two businesses and two homes on adjoining properties affords us the luxury of having a very large yard, a little more than two acres in all. That means there is a whole lot of room for all kinds of fun! Last year, the kids inherited two homemade soap-box racers from my uncle Bob. It was fun to push them around for a while and coast down the small hill in the backyard. But the need for speed quickly became apparent, and Grampa’s electric lawnmower proved to be just the ticket for a fast ride - especially on a somewhat bumpy lawn. This is the new favourite thing to do - until we think of something new and exciting.
