some of my relief work and mobius strips

[knotnut]

So here is some of my stuff. At least the finished celtic knot and mobius strip stuff. Nothing marvelous. Like I said, I'm a self-taught ameteur hobbiest. The dragon was one of my first carvings, on mahogoney. The cheshire cat is also mahogony. The stripes are from 2 thicknesses of linseed oil and turpentine mixed I think. I didn't like the look of painted stripes. The celtic cat is a picture frame on walnut, though not practical at all in my method. It's just a thick chunk of walnut with a slit in the top and indentations on the inside for a photo. The triangle mobius strip (1/2 turn) was a challenge by a non-carving friend who though it would be amusingly impossible...hence "challenge accepted" burnt on the inside. Not long after that, the carving club I belonged to made its own "impossible challenge" of the oval strip as a computer graphic. None said it could be done. Having already made one, I knew it could be -done on mahogeny. Though it didn't turn out like the one in the computer graphic, it's accurate in its twist (1/4 turn). I have a 3-link chain of that same strip on basswood completed except for staining. I also have a mouse "in the round" in basswood completed except for its eyes. No idea what to do about them. Most of my work is relief on mahogeny or walnut only because I have lots of scraps of them, as well as basswood. I'd like to try others, but don't know what to get that has a really close grain. I love dark woods, but my mahogeny and walnut scraps are too open for most of my small knotwork and the basswood doesn't hold the detail.

[squbrigg]

Nice work, the knot work is a favorite of mine. How are you going to finish the knot? Something to bring out the carved work?

Well done.

Bob

[knotnut]

Originally Posted by squbrigg

Nice work, the knot work is a favorite of mine. How are you going to finish the knot? Something to bring out the carved work?

Well done.

Bob

Thanks. Which knot were you referring to? All of the pictures are completed works and are gone from my presence. The dragon I did many years ago. Most of my stuff ends up being gifts. That's the only way I complete anything.
As far as "finishing", if you were referring to staining or protecting, I know nothing about finishes. Someone told me once about linseed and terpentine, so I used that on a couple of projects. Spray on poly on another. I've never had lessons or proper instruction on how to truly complete or "finish" a project--something I'd love to get.

[squbrigg]

The light coloured wood, pic #4, is the one I was refering to. Light wood is so difficult to see ther detail in and benefits form a number of methods for finishing to enhanse the detail. From burning the detail or background to stains or oils. I've never had a lesson in my life either, all learned through trial and error, reading and listening to others.

Nice work.

Bob