[meipo]

After pondering for a long time about what to get for my hubby for his 50th, I came up with this spoon rest design. This is what I have done since Sunday.

Still got some spots to clean out and then put on the finish. Gotta get everything done before Sunday.

meipo

[justanick]

That is very nice. The scroll work must have taken some time to do. What type of wood did you use? and do you plan on using any finish on it?

[Nancy_G]

Meipo - that's lovely work -- so very smooth. I sure didn't see any that needed to be cleaned.
Thanks for showing us that.

[Tom H]

Great idea, very unique, and very well done...Tom H

[mark yundt]

It looks like you may have been inspired by the tuning head on a Violin,stretch out that handle and you have the start on a mini violin . the Volutes are very well done.This design usually gives some people fits to do well, keep the symmetry and have the depth in the spiral..nicely done!

[Richie_Rich]

Nice work, very different. Is that butternut?

Rich

[Kenny_S]

Neat Project and original. I haven't seen any before. Nicely done.

[meipo]

Thank you all for your encouragement.

Indeed, the handle of the spoon rest is a violin scroll. I had never done that before. I found a website of a UK violin making school. They sort of described the process with some photos. I was lucky to have a violinist neighbor who lent me hers. With the two references, I tried and made this. I wish I had different gouges and tiny scrapers so I can get a smoother finish.

In terms of wood, I thought I used basswood. At least, that was what I ordered. I find the wood amazingly grainy! It does not look or feel like the basswood I normally use. It is hard! Whatever it is, I am stuck with quite a bit of it. Does it look like butternut to you?

I have to sand and put the finish on soon. Given this is a working spoon rest, I need to seal the grains before they encounter the ultimate tomato sauce. I do not expct anybody to eat with the spoon rest. Therefore, I am not as concerned whether the sealant is edible. I am thinking about using lacquer to seal. Any better ideas or suggesion? Over the sealant, I probably will put oil, as for most eating spoons. What do you think?

Thank you again.

meipo

[mark yundt]

I've used laquer,,but most urethanes are almost bullet proof to most acids and alcohols it might encounter.I'd lean towards the polys.Also at times Laquer will "frost" with a white haze when exposed to heat/moisture. Usually I'll finish a tabletop with poly urethanes and do the rest in Laquer just for this reason..Hot bowls of soup,pots,pans etc,,won't harm it,, and it's MUCH harder to scratch and dent. Once dry it's basically inert,,used polys to seal a carved Chalise I did for a priest,,the wine never hurt it,,and it's non toxic when dry,,,at least that's what the chemist told me,,,the priest is still alive.

[carvedbears61]

A little help with spoon rest saw the post some where else on board. how deep for rest for spoon and how do you scoop out for spoon.