Posted tagged ‘stained wood’
« Stained Woods: Art by Tina Hanagan, Bloomington, IN
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March 16, 2009
I don’t usually start staining w/o a solid design in mind, but thought I’d try it on this one. It makes sense, since I’m working with someone elses’ work. They need to happily co-exist…or something. It also gave me a chance to see how my latest stain purchases work with the older ones. So, I latched on to the best part or two of my sketches and went to work. I’m using a rather warped piece of pine that is both too long and too narrow — but close enough for testing and sampling.
There’s my trusty bone folder. It’s that flat, plastic bookmark-looking thing at the top next to the tape. I use it to burnish the edges of the tape. The stain likes to spread everywhere if I’m not careful. Yes, I run the bone folder over ever single edge of tape. Carefully. I can always tell when I’m too tired to work, because I’ll miss an edge and end up with stain seeping into the next part of the work. Which means more effort in the long run. Best to be conscientious in the first place.
Categories: rolling ball sculpture
Tags: art, bone folder, pine, stain, stained wood
Comments: 5 Comments
March 11, 2009
The rolling ball sculpture is in my house. Tom’s part is done for now. I’ve been working out some ideas in my head. And by that I mean that I’ve spent quite a bit of time running those marbles through their paces. Getting a feel for the sculpture, and how someone else might interact with it. Sometimes the marbles are sent together, sometimes spaced out a bit. I’ve even been know to set them free somewhere in the middle of the run. It’s all part of the process, you’ll just have to trust me on that.
I feel I have three different ways that the base could go.
- something simple, with little competition against what’s happening above
- play up the spirals, with concentric circles, mimicing the sculpture
- enhance the twirling aspect with designs with movement
Or, maybe a compination of all three? In an effort to learn more about RBS, I’ve googled. Here’s one with a traingular base and one made of wood. And one out of Legos!
Categories: art, rolling ball sculpture
Tags: art, rolling ball sculpture, stained wood
Comments: 2 Comments
March 4, 2009
I finally finished those trivets (and my work in North Vernon). I know, it’s been a long time. The last phase was to put cork on the back. I found a roll that had adhesive already on it, and saved time. I need to take some good pics, but will happily show them as soon as I can.
I officially have a shop on Etsy. I have nothing to sell, yet, but I’m taking my time so that I do it mostly right the first time. I’ll keep you posted.
New project! My friend Tom Harold, who makes rolling ball sculptures, has asked me to make a base for his latest creation. He brought it by the house, and I took a bunch of pictures and brainstormed a bit with Tom. I have a few ideas already, but it still feels very early in the process. Tom’s part is almost done, though, so make sure to check it out.
Categories: art
Tags: art, etsy, rolling ball sculpture, stained wood
Comments: 3 Comments
January 31, 2009
I’m sitting at work, waiting until the people on the stage floor (70 feet below me) need me.
The view from my chair
It’s the first big show of the new year. I should be excited just to get my hands back into the game. So, in my down time, what do I think about? Staining wood. I’ve been mentally working out a problem with mounting some wall pieces that I’ve been working on, and suddenly had and idea. I’m goin’ industrial. Tek screws, maybe. Then, another idea. Using initials with simple patterns, both inside and on the background. I’m looking around me for a piece of paper or pen or anything to write on, and nothing. Another idea, and at this point I’m almost frantically trying to remember all of these ideas. I can’t forget! Who knows when I’ll be able to sketch something. Of all the unlikely places to get inspired….
My workspace and tools of the trade for the day.
Categories: inspiration
Tags: inspiration, IU Auditorium, stage, stagehand, stained wood, tek screw
Comments: 5 Comments
January 23, 2009
So far, I’ve had some great reaction to my Etsy thoughts. Thanks to everyone who commented. I have to admit that I haven’t done much research since my last post, and I should start here. Oh, and I should finish those trivets that I’ve been working on since December — so that I can sell them! A look at some of the competition trivets: wood and otherwise. I guess that means I should get back to work.
To do list in no particular order:
I really have been working!
set up Etsy shop
finish trivets
check into shipping
read Dos and Don’ts
??
Categories: etsy
Tags: art, craft, etsy, handmade, stained wood
Comments: 2 Comments
December 16, 2008
Yes, it’s true. I’ve managed to finish some ornaments over a week before Christmas. I’m not sure how, but I do know that I haven’t baked anything, yet. So, here’s what they look like after several coats of high gloss tung oil finish.
Categories: stained woods
Tags: art, Christmas, craft, hand made, holiday, ornaments, stained wood
Comments: 3 Comments
December 11, 2008
I had to put away my trivets for a little bit. I realized that my next idea was on a time crunch. Ornaments!! I found some little tag-shaped craft wood. (Yes, I spend a decent amount of time at Michael’s.) A few round ones, and am turning them into stained wood ornaments. So far, I like them, and think they have great potential. This seems like a natural holiday project. Perhaps an annual one? Maybe I should just give them as gifts?
The work table
A little one on a sanding block
With a ruler for scale
I guess I should get back to work. Only a few are out of the stain phase. Tick, tock!
Categories: stained woods
Tags: art, Christmas, craft wood, gift, holiday, ornaments, stained wood
Comments: 2 Comments
December 7, 2008
I’m not sure why I’ve decided to work on a bunch of different trivets at one time, but that’s what I seem to be doing. New designs and new sizes. More complex than ever before. It’s exhausting.
In the past the trivets have been 9 1/2″ squares of pine that I stain and finish with polyurethane. Many, many coats of polyurethane. It works great. I’ve been known to take things straight out of the oven and onto the trivet without any problems. Now, I’m trying out some 6″ squares. I think they will work out nicely. I’m working on several different pieces right now, including a better version of the DC Star — both large and small.
That’s actually the smaller DC star, and a comparison of the two sizes with another pattern. I guess I should look up what that one is called, huh? Any ideas?
Categories: stained woods
Tags: art, pine, polyurethane, stained wood, trivet
Comments: Be the first to comment
November 13, 2008
I think I’m getting this one worked out.
I worked on a sample version on a warped pine trivet that I had lying around. I snapped a few pics to show the process if anyone is interested. I’ve already changed my mind, and it no longer fits on the 9 inch square that I was using. I added a line outside the big star, and it looks like I’ll need to reduce the size.
I purchased a new circle cutter, and was pleased to find out that it seems to work well for painter’s tape! I’m looking forward to doing an offiical version. Yes, I have a few more changes in mind.
Categories: stained woods
Tags: art, DC, pine, stained wood, trivet
Comments: 4 Comments
November 4, 2008
While I wait for the coffee to kick in, and the lines at the polls to go down, I can blog.
This summer my husband and I decided to build a drum for him. We took an oversized floor tom (or maybe it’s a small bass drum on it’s side) and made it into our version of a cocktail kit. He did all the research and ordered all the parts, I helped measure and drill the holes, and then the staining. He spent time while I played with stain adapting the new bass drum pedal. He had to change it to hit the bottom side of the new drum.
Categories: musical instruments, stained woods
Tags: art, drum, floor tom, handmade, maple, musical instruments, stained wood
Comments: 3 Comments
I don’t usually start staining w/o a solid design in mind, but thought I’d try it on this one. It makes sense, since I’m working with someone elses’ work. They need to happily co-exist…or something. It also gave me a chance to see how my latest stain purchases work with the older ones. So, I latched on to the best part or two of my sketches and went to work. I’m using a rather warped piece of pine that is both too long and too narrow — but close enough for testing and sampling.
Stained Woods: Art by Tina Hanagan, Bloomington, IN 