Paulownia stick WIP

[Ron T]

First of all, thank you for helping me to identify this stick as Paulownia. Please let me know if you have carved it and what you think of this wood.

This's been in the works for a few weeks and just needs a little clean-up, sanding and finishing. My wife thinks the hand hold area is too plain, so I am thinking about doing a design, heringbone, or staining it or ?

The stick will be cut to about 5", it's almost 1 1/2" thick. The wood is soft so it carved easily but dents easily, too.

I woodburned the bear and Indian's feather. The oak leaves are in shallow relief and I'm thinking about doing a light green wash?

Since Paulownia has a hole down the center of the stick, I will cut a Purpleheart cap and peg it on the top end, rounding it off.

Any opinions or comments are welcomed.

[Kenny_S]

Nice stick topping Ron.

[dnstehly]

That's an interesting piece Ron, and nicely done. The purpleheart cap will add a nice touch. If you bought that polyester casting resin to fill the check in your diamond willow you can also use that to fill the hollow core. I have never carved paulownia but the pith core sounds like that of staghorn sumac. For the bottom of the stick I bore out a quarter to a half inch of the pith and pour it full of the resin. That makes a good sturdy base that will stand a little use.

[cannuckcarver]

Nice work Ron, What did you use for the eyes they are so bright? Or is it just the falsh from the cam causing them to shine this much?

[Ron T]

Hi David,

Thank you for your comments. No, I did not get the resin, yet. I went to Michaels and looked at it and thought it was too much, quantity, since I would only fill a small crack. I've since found another stick worth saving and now the Paulownia so I'll pick some up next time I go there.

[Ron T]

Originally Posted by cannuckcarver

Nice work Ron, What did you use for the eyes they are so bright? Or is it just the falsh from the cam causing them to shine this much?

Hi cannuckcarver, thank you. I'm glad you like it. I used a woodburner with a fine writing tip to burn his eyes. It kind of glazes when it burns and looks shiny. I'm still trying to figure out how to do eyes so they look more realistic.

[rzpooch]

Nice job Ron!

[Claude]

Originally Posted by Ron T

I'm still trying to figure out how to do eyes so they look more realistic.

Ron: I haven't tried this on carvings of human eyes, but for the critters and birds, paint the eye black, then when it's dry, mix up a little 5 minute epoxy. With a toothpick or similar "tool", depending on the size of the eye, put a small drop of epoxy (at about the 4 minute stage so it's not too runny) on the eye and use the point of the toothpick to make sure the eye is covered. This will make a raised and very shiny black eye on the birds, etc., that looks real.

Claude

[Ron T]

Thanks, rzpooch.

Claude, thanks for the tip. I tried it once but my hands aren't steady enough on small eyes. I'll have to ask my wife to do it for me.

[Eddy-Smiles]

As usual, excellent work! You mean cut to 5-feet don't you? I take it that this is more for decorative purposes than actual use?