A Work Of Heart

[Keoma]

10 steps to the sweetest pendant!

Good Morning! I was inspired and I thought I would share...since i had the camera in me pocket as it were.
This first image is the sketch I did, sitting in the Dr.'s office, rocking out to a song in my head. Just waiting, and drawing. As you can see from the verticle lines below the heart, I plan on making a comb to match.


first things first, get it on the wood. I do this by scratching my pencil across the back of the image, then using the image like carbon paper. Verks goot!

All drawn and scrolled out.



The first step in my power carving is to use my cutting bit. (lost that picture somewhere) this gives me a great cut out angle to start with, it defines it. Then I am set to gouge out the rest without ruining my image...siiigh...its best to start small...even though it goes against my grain.

[Keoma]

Ok! Here is one of my super secret power casrving techniques!!! Shhhh! I used to buy the little circles of sandpaper for my dremel...ha...never again!!! Then I started to trace a quarter onto the sandpaper and cut them out...geeez...time consuming...Now I rip off a rough square and poke it on the bit as close to the middle as I can eyeball.


Spinning it at the highest RPM on my tool, I stick it against a piece of wood, usually the 4 x 4 frame beam in my shop...it's closest and now its very sentimental to me...well loved and all that . It spins a perfect circle within seconds and I am ready to work! Love this! It saves so much time AND MONEY!




Hogged out the remaineder with a bigger rounded barrell bit. Looks good ,eh?

[Keoma]

MM Hmm! see that?! A perfect circle! Another super super secret idea I came up with was while trimming my sandpaper, I use that same technique for the veins in my leaves, it burns them in as it cuts the groove...he he he...like it?


Drill a hole in the back, carve it out the same as the front, and hang it on a super sexy black leather cord.


You betcha! Now I am ready for that date with my Honey!

[BobD]

Nice work... How many hours did that take you????

Bob

[Keoma]

Ummmm...about 2 I think. It was super fast. Glad you like it!

[Thor]

Excellent, and the step-by-step was very educational. Keoma, you're incredibly talented.
Christina

[BobD]

I agree Christina! I love the little tips interspersed with the instructions! Great job (on the carving and the tutorial).

Bob

[Keoma]

Thanx guys! My head wont fit through the front door now I am off to try another...well after I climb Mt. laundry and dive to the depths of my kitchen sink...

...I forgot to mention that the wood is Manzanita and INCREDIBLY hard. The only way for me to work it is with power tools.

[Ron T]

Keoma, that last picture, beautiful, and so is the poendant. Very nice design and work.

[Keoma]

Thank you Ron! Always good to hear from you!