"Comfort birds" in different woods

[jmischel]

When I saw the "Comfort Bird" project in the latest WCI, I thought it would be a great project for learning to use my new Foredom. Except instead of giving them as gifts to be held for comfort, I thought I'd make Christmas tree ornaments of them.

This turned out to be a good and bad thing. On the good side, it solved the problem of what ornament to make for family this year. Also, I got to play with the bandsaw (always a good time) and dig into my wood stash to make things from many different kinds of wood. On the bad side, my wife decided that she wants one bird from each type of wood. I wonder if she realizes how many she's going to get.

The first picture is the first one I carved. From mesquite, of course. That picture doesn't do it justice, though. It doesn't show off the color and figuring in that piece of wood. The second picture has five of the ornaments I finished over the weekend. From left to right: mesquite, Osage orange, mahogany, black cherry, and cedar. The third picture is mimosa.

This bird is a great way for me to learn how to use the power carver, and also a good excuse for me to dig through the wood stash for different kinds of wood to carve from.

Larger pictures and a little more information at Power carved tree ornaments Jim's Random Notes.

[Dan Wegiel]

Hi Jim,
Nice "flock" of birds you created. They look great, love the way you tried different types of wood.
Dan

[Mottles]

Jim, thanks for carving the 'Comfort Birds' they look wonderful and what perfect ornaments too! Did you carve them the same size as in the WCI magazine?
I too, like the idea that you carved them in various types of wood. Makes such a nice variety!

Reguarding powercarving: It certainly would make carving them go pretty fast I would think. Did you sand them using your powercarver too?

I need to finish some projects then I'd like to carve some too. Actually I'd like to see our carving club carve some. Every year we go to one of our Senior Communities and give a carving presentation. We take along small carvings to hand out to everyone present. The Comfort Birds just sounds like a wonderful gift for a Senior Citizen.

[Sharon of the Dell]

These are really cute birds Jim! I could see them with a glass bead above the bird for a sparkly ornament.
I can see why your wife wants one of each!

[Nomad]

Really really nice. Love the natural wood.

[jmischel]

Thanks, Dan. I do like the different woods. This is my first time carving several of them. I'd carved a small piece of the Osage orange once with a knife and decided I'd leave that for power from now on. And I'd never carved the mimosa before, either. It's surprisingly soft. Definitely have to carve more of it. I also found a piece of mulberry that a friend gave me a few months back. That bird is almost done.

[jmischel]

Kathy:

Thanks for the kind comments. I did not use the power carver for sanding. I suspect it's possible, but I've not had success with it yet. I think I need some different bits for sanding. All I have are the small barrel sanders (I think that's what you call them), and I find it very difficult to get a smooth finish without waves. I also need some better lighting at my work area, and more practice.

It would be an excellent club project. With a softer wood, it would even go reasonably quickly with a knife. I might have to try that.

[jmischel]

Thanks, Sharon. No fair siding with my wife! I think I'm up to 9 different types of wood now . . .

[jmischel]

Thank you, Terry. Yes, the natural wood is the way to go, as far as I'm concerned. For several reasons. First, no paint job is going to match the beauty of the natural wood. Besides, I don't much like painting. Second, it's free. I haven't bought wood in over two years. And finally, the variety is just amazing.

[Bob K.]

Nice looking flock of little birds Jim! I like the different woods and I think it's a great idea to carve them as ornaments!