Sumac experience

[Alice in Wonderland]

I followed your talks about Sumac earlier and since I am working on it right now I will let you know what Sumac (I just love it) can do when dry. I almost finished " my Joy Girl " when I needed to do more details, and I am sure you would have heard my yell all the way to your end of the U.S. I run into a rotten core,no way could you have told any imperfections from the outside (it was dry for over a year and no splits or cracks) I normally touch Sumac anytime green or dry, but this? Of course I was to far into it to quit so I just had to work with it, but this is Sumac for you,
Alice

[Anthony Filetti]

Alice,

How did you aquire the wood? and I guess there are several types of Sumac, do you know what type you willbe working with??? Thanks.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Tony
I live in Eastern Ontario and we have plenty of this around unfortunately it never gets very big , the most I have had was about5-7" in diameter, we only have to kind one is poison and one not , the placement of the flowers makes the difference, I love working with it the grain and color is beautiful , I prefer working with larger pieces but the beauty of it makes up for the size
Alice

[Anthony Filetti]

...I have to agree...Colin displayed a wood spirit he had done in Sumac and it was a beautiful thing!

[Colin-Partridge]

Here are some Sumac carvings I did last year no stain all natural this is how they look when carved.

[Anthony Filetti]

...like I said Colin did some wonderful work in it...


Colin,
What was your carving process for this wood? Cut, dry, debark, then carve?
(or was it in a different order...)Cool

[Colin-Partridge]

Rocket39,

The way I carve it is cut it down, debark it right away, leave it over night, wash off the stick or log with soap and water. Dry it off, carve it right away, seal it then set the carving up on 4 little blocks like dice and let it dry. Repeat the sealing using a clear, matt, semi gloss, gloss, or satin quick drying product.

Colin

[Anthony Filetti]

Colin,

Thanks, I'll give it a try once I figure out which one is poison and which one isn't!!! I think this is some of your best work and I can only hope I will be able to come close!!! Thanks again.

[carver6]

What type of ailment do you get if you deal with poison type sumac? (Rash, physically ill, or what.) We have some little scrubby looking plants around here that I've heard people say is sumac but have no idea if it's harmful or not. Guess I could take some leaves to DNR office and have them identify them. If they run away I'll know or have a pretty good idea if they're the bad kind.

[big_Wayne_P]

Unless I am mistaken

poision sumac is sort of like poision ivy and poison oak

At least that is what I think

sometimes requires perscription antibiodics and ointments