Basswood Eggs, Pumpkins, and JOLs

[jillsy]

Hey Everybody!

So, because my fingers, and now left hand, swell up like balloons more often, I've had to cut back (no pun intended!) on carving. I don't want to be stupid and wind up with crippled hands 20 years from now!

Anyway, one way I've been able to smuggle in some carving (as if I'm tricking my hands) is by carving little things here and there. That doesn't seem to bother them so much. One thing I've been having lots of fun with is taking basswood eggs and carving them into pumpkins and jack o'lanterns, and then combining them with other mediums. This way, I still get to carve, but I give my hands a break at the same time. Plus, mixing the wood carvings with different mediums like clay and fabrics has definitely brought me to a whole new level of folk art! Trying to come up with mediums that complement wood can be tricky! If it doesn't go well with wood, it can come out very tacky.

Anyway, I noticed I'm running low on basswood eggs and would like to get more. Does anyone know of a place that sells them for a decent price? So far, the ones I see are pretty expensive. They don't need to be smooth and perfect because I'm carving them anyway. OR does anyone know of a good way to carve a pumpkin otherwise without the egg? The two times I've tried from drawing my own pattern, they come out flatter in the front and more rectangular all around. I like working with the eggs because they're already oval-shaped.

I've been itching to carve a Santa lately. I may pay the price later, but I have a feeling one's gonna be coming soon! There's only so much I can do to tame the savage beast within!

ps Oh, attached is my blog with some work I've been doing. It also has a small picture if you want to see what I look like after all these years! Then again, you might be better off not looking!

[Ron T]

Hi Jillsy,

I thought of this while reading your post. Don't know if it will work but the hardware stores sell closet rods or thick 1 1/2" diameter dowels. I've used short sections to carve heads.

[Goody]

If your hands hurt those basswood eggs are hard as rocks. Pm me and we will work up a couple of duplicator patterns and I will run them out of some nice white pine or spanish cedar that is a lot easier to carve. Well keep you Carvin!
Goody

[A_Swope]

I know Mountain Woodcarvers sells them by the dozen. Goose Eggs or hen eggs.

[uvawyo]

There is some really neat and beautiful stuff on that blogspot, Jillsy,
I really do hope you sove the hand problem ans get better very soon
My onlyu sugestion is to use the 1/2 and 1/2 alcohol and water spray on the wood to make it easier to carve

[Claude]

Hi, Jillsy!

Are your hands swelling because you're using a rotary power tool? I ask because when I carve with my Dremel for extended periods, my hands also swell and tingle from the vibrations. My solution is to only use it for 15 minutes at a time or so. I've also thought of getting one of the gel gloves that damp the vibrations.

As to the pumpkins. I use a cube of wood, generally - say 2 x 2 x 2. I orient the grain vertically, then take off the corners until I have an 8-sided block. I next take off the 8 corners to make a (nearly) round cylinder. Once I have that, I can begin to round off the top and bottom the appropriate amount. After I hollow out the little depression at the top, I drill a small hole at a slight angle so I can glue in a dowel that has been shaped to look like a stem.

Claude

[Woodchip]

Boxes n' such sell eggs pretty cheap. Hen eggs are a $1.00 each.

Turned Projects

[jillsy]

As we would say in "Joisey", "Danks yous guys!"

As for my hands, this has been going on since I was 20 and at 41, I have now had it for most of my life. My left hand just started swelling up this past year, and my fingers just started 2-3 years ago, but my wrists have been doing it forever. I went to a Joint/Bone specialist this past summer and like every other specialist I've seen, he couldn't find anything wrong. MRIs, x-rays, tons of bloodwork, even bolts of electricity shot up my arms, it all comes back normal.

So, why does this keep happening? I suppose one day they'll find a reason and maybe even name the disease after me. I can just hear it now, "Ugh, I've got a bad case of The Jillsys"! or "Ouch! Oooooo! My Jillsy's flaring up!"

[Don R]

Here is a good place to buy good quality basswood eggs at a decent price:

https://www.bayerwood.com/catalog

[minowevie]

Jillsy, your blog is so cute. looks like you save lots of fun stuff, and put them to good use. I know what you mean about your hands. my thumps are giving me fits. I use a nylon glove. the kind that has 3 holes. one, for your index figure, and your other 3 and thump. this really helps a lot. puts just enough pressure on the hand to ease the the pain of carving or sewing or scroll sawing in my case. the glove is so thin, you wouldn't think it would work at all. but it does. it is so comfortable that you forget it is on. it is washable,an last forever. you can even were it under a carving glove. it fits just like skin. your work is awesome. Evie