updated 10/15/2009
Once the inside of the bowl is finished, there will be more knife work done on the outside of the bowl and on the handle. After that, rough sanding and finish sanding.
Ultimately, the finished coffee measure will look something like the one here on the right. But, not exactly (as you can tell by the different ones we have available).
This is an example of the stages in carving a coffee measure. The middle walnut one is basic rough out (well, there has been a little bit of knife work done). The orginial rough out shape is cut out on the band saw. The top cypress one has some of the bottom of the handle knifed out. The bottom cypress one has the more of the handle shape and some shaping on the outside of the bowl. Because the measurement needs to be exactly 1/8 cup on the inside, the inside of the bowl will be finished before the outside.
This is a strainer spoon on the right. I'm actually sanding the bowl before I finish the handle, trying to get a sense of proportion with it.
I did say that I'd have pictures of items that are in the works. The bowl on the left is in the sanding stage. One of the lessons you learn as a carver is that each stage should be left with the project as smooth as possible. In other words, after gouging or knife work, the smoother the surface is, the less work there is in sanding. The more thorough you are with rough sanding, the less final sanding you have to do.
These are some items that can be carved out of a single piece of wood. The chain in the middle is the first chain that Jim ever carved. He used a piece of wood off of an old pallet he found, thinks it's linden but not certain. The chain on the left is made out of walnut. He has a few more links to cut out of it and then it will be listed under the carvings category. The pliers on the right are also cut out of a single piece of wood, as is the walnut saw handle.
No, your eyes don't deceive you. I am actually updating this site after 2 years (almost). This does also mean that Jim is carving again. We will have new items added, although it will probably be a few months yet.
Jim didn't totally stop over the past two years, but pretty close. He did actually complete a special request order, but only because she said that she didn't care if it took years. I think it was close to a year, but the spoon was beautiful. He has completed a couple of coffee measures, primarily in cypress and I will get those added. He is currently working on another special order, although again, he warned it could take a long while.
We still own two Sears Hometown Stores but last year Jim told me that he needed to see the sky again and he went back to operating heavy equipment. As construction tends to lay off in the winter months, this is giving him time to carve again. We both realized in the past 3 years that you have to find time to enjoy the "now". The tomorrow that we've been worried about saving for could never come. Or, as many have found, no matter what you do, it won't be enough. So, balance is our new mantra all things in life.
Thank you for visiting & hope you enjoy.
Demea Loyd
On this page we'll try to update you on what's in the works. Here we will have photos on upcoming items and try to give you an idea of when they will be done. We'll also include some information on the art of spoonmaking. Photos of tools, bits of trivia, etc. - essentially all the stuff you never knew you needed to know. We appreciate feedback so drop us a line. Hope you enjoy and thanks for visiting. Jim & Demea Loyd
