Birch Christmas Tree Necklace

[schwert]

About a month ago my neighbor cut down his Birch. I grabbed a few branches for later projects. I split out one branch making a thin flat slab for an idea I have had in my mind for a while…a Birch Christmas Tree necklace for my wife.

The beginnings…the flat slab I have had in the refrigerator with some damp birch shavings, my Joonas and a red pencil…tea for creative stimulation.




I flattened both side of the slab, and then drew in my idea with the red pencil.




Carved the rough triangle out…leaving the tree hooked to the slab as a handle.




Then notched the branches before removing the tree from the slab.

[schwert]

Turning the slab around, I used the thinner end I worked up the “button” that will serve as the clasp on the kangaroo neckcord I will twist up for this necklace. This button and a leather loop will form the clasp.




So here are the roughed out necklace tree and clasp button.





These I put into a bag of shavings to allow the moisture to equilibrate overnight. The next day I removed both pieces for final drying.

[schwert]

I then turned to making the braided neck cord. This is a twisted braid.

I started with a single strand of kangaroo lace. Soaked in water for a few minutes, and then tied to a pencil that I taped to the wall. I tied to another pencil to the terminal end of the lace and used that as a” helicopter blade” to twist the strand up tightly.

I then taped the twist to the wall to dry…being careful to not let it twist upon itself (like cord making).




I folded the twist in half….let it spin itself into a two-ply cord for about an inch and a half. Then fed one end through the terminal loop to form the clasp “button-hole”. I needed 5 hands to do this. After I formed the terminal loop, I let the remaining two twisted legs intertwine themselves to form the traditional twisted braid. I taped one end to the wall again, and with the pencil spun the cord up once again to fully tighten up the braid….wetted it down again and taped it to the wall to dry.

Here is a close up of the terminal “Buttonhole” and twist inserted through the tree.




And a view of most of it.




Unfortunately I split the tiny tree “button” while drilling it so I had to carve a new one.

This one I left it a bit thicker and a bit larger and drilling it did not split it this time.

[schwert]

The necklace tree and button were now dry and I eased the sharp edges a bit then submerged in flaxseed oil overnight.




I also put my mark and year on the bottom with my Kolrosing knife. I rubbed the cuts with finely ground coffee after I removed the tree from the oil.



Then string it up, tie on the button and it is done.




I hope it will be a hit as it is the “big” present.

[Sharon of the Dell]

Nice tutorial!
I think it will be a big hit!
The necklace is beautiful!

[schwert]

Well this necklace was a big hit...thank goodness.

Simple Christmas.

[Nomad]

Very nice Randy! Somehow I missed this thread.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Well done Randy!

dave

[Mottles]

WOW, thank you, for the nice tutorial, and I bet your wife was thrilled with her beautiful necklace. That is a great looking knife you were using too, did you make it?

[schwert]

The puukko is one by Joonas Kallioniemi , a young Finnish maker. It is my favorite carver. Here is a full view of it:




The smaller detail knife if a Deep Woods Ventures Draper Detail....another truly excellent knife.