Archive for April 2009

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Tung oil down time

April 28, 2009

There’s not too much to report about the rolling ball sculpture base.  I’m working on finishing it with tung oil, which takes anywhere from four to twelve hours to dry.  It’s a bit like watching paint dry, only it takes longer.  Especially since I’ll probably end up with five or six coats on each side. To fill the time, I’ve researched tung oil on YouTube.  Yes, there are videos about tung oil.  And, this one is right up my alley.

Oh, and stencil practice.  Yes, I’m still trying to work out the ideal way for me to make stencils that work with wood and stain.  Here’s what I’ve been working on, and it looks like this idea has potential.  Now, I just need to practice my X-Acto work.

Stencil work

Stencil practice

Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
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Comments: 4 Comments

Finishing the RBS base

April 23, 2009

Yes, it’s finally time to finish the base.  Sanding:  done.  Stain:  done.  Touch-up:  done.  Now it’s time for the tung oil, which is mostly about drying time, anyway.  I’ve noticed that I kept simplifying the design.  Some ideas didn’t even make it on paper.  My husband mentioned that the base is rather different than my other pieces.  I explained (and showed) him that I didn’t want to compete with the sculpture, and once the marbles start moving there will be plenty of action.  I think he agrees.  Here’s a sneak peak:

Done staining

Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
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Comments: 1 Comment

Last week in pictures

April 21, 2009

The third week in April was very busy, and had me going many places with my camera.  I thought I’d show it to you, starting with the drive down to Evansville through small towns.

I like any place with a "Live bait" sign.

I like any place with a "Live bait" sign.


Just up the street from Liquor & Live Bait.

Just up the street from Liquor & Live Bait.


I'll have to return when it's dark.

I'll have to return when it's dark.

Back in Bloomington:

Me, stalking the cat stalking the bunny.

Me, stalking the cat stalking the bunny.

Don’t worry, everything turned out fine.

The rest of the week involved me finishing the stain portion of the RBS base, and starting a Flickr account.  I joined the group “Fun with Plastic” to share pics from my plastic Diana camera.

Categories: photography
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Comments: 1 Comment

It’s all about the circles

April 13, 2009

It’s time for the circles.  I’ve had a love/hate relationship with them over the years.  No matter how hard I try, I can’t get the masking tape to form a circle. Doing them free hand just doesn’t leave the nice, crisp edge that I like.

I’ve tried many different ways to get them right.  The latest attempt was using a stencil film to cut out the circle, then with some Krylon Easy-Tack set it on the wood and stained away.  Circle fail!  Or, maybe it’s stencil fail.  As, you can see.

I know, I didn’t manage to cut the stencil film very well, but I still don’t think that would have helped the process.  Doese anyone have any ideas?  I’m going to try one more idea, but I don’t really think it will work.  So, does anyone out there have any inspiration to share? Please, let me know.

Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
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Comments: 4 Comments

RBS progress

April 8, 2009

Transfer paper is a good thing.

Transfer paper is a good thing.

Yes, there’s been some activity on the rolling ball sculpture base! I have a lovely piece of maple that I spent what seems like years sanding. (And, I STILL might have to do more!) I even worked on a bit of extra maple for stain samples, but didn’t finish it because I couldn’t wait to get started on the real thing. I had a heck of a time transferring the drawing to the actual wood.  The reason, I finally discovered was that I had altered a couple of angles while working on the pine mock-up.  And, since that piece wasn’t large enough for the design in the first place, I was rather confused last night.

Color #2

Stain: Antique Maple

Stains: Chestnut and Brazilian Rosewood

Stains: Chestnut and Brazilian Rosewood

Things are looking better.

Categories: art, rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
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Comments: 2 Comments

Handmade violin makes debut

April 3, 2009

This is a video from 2008 of my Uncle Gene (who made the violin) playing it.  This was the first time he had seen our combined efforts in person. I think you’ll recognize the song…

Categories: art, musical instruments
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Comments: 1 Comment