Wood Working Hobby

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I have been practicing my crafting and design skills with wood on a few hobby projects. I’m using some American Birch here (one of the most responsibly sustained woods). I’ve shown some friends and family and received some great feedback already that has helped me improve on some of my designs already. I’m posting a few photos here to get some feedback on areas of improvement and design suggestions. I’ve heard a few common themes already from local friends and I’m incorporating those into my new designs, so I’m interested to hear if the same things come up from the online community.

I have no ego on this stuff, so honesty is appreciated, my goal is to improve the work and design and I can’t do that if people aren’t straightforward with their opinions. So have at it!

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They are all beautiful!

My favorite is the last one, and here is why:
The lettering shows up better. The contrast of the light wood and the lettering makes it more readable.
Maybe lighten the stain a bit from what you used on the top 2.

Your choice of typefaces is lovely!
 
Thanks Irishmom2. I thought so as well. I choose American Oak stain for the first two and unfortunately, we are in agreement, it is too dark. I’m thinking maybe a cedar stain would be more appropriate to help the letters pop. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.
 
@Awardables, you might want to look into natural stains made from tea, or steel wool in vinegar. The steel wool one makes a lovely gray tone. You can find “recipes” on the internet.
 
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First of all, I think that you are very gifted and talented! 🙂

I actually like all of the designs, so it’s difficult for me to pick a favorite design.

I would have to say that if you could lighten the stain that you’re using on the first two crosses, then maybe the print/script would be easier to read. I think that they are also really beautiful and think that they would be great choices too if they could be a bit easier to read/see.

God bless you, and may you continue to be successful in your work! ❤️
 
Sorry for the delay, I’m a new user so I wasn’t able to respond past a specific number responses in one day. I had to wait until today, That said, I didn’t want Irishmom to think I was being rude by not responding.

To answer your question … First I design what I want in software on the computer. I draw the outline of the cross and add any of the embellishments that I want on screen. Then I move elements around to where I want them to be on the finished piece. After that I do the typesetting i.e. the fonts and words and stuff like that. Then I use a desktop laser to cut out the layers that I want. After that, I sand them by hand and glue and clamp them together. In the case of the first two, I then applied stain and after drying varnish.

Here are photos of what the first two looked like before the stain.
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Very nice. I have no idea what a desktop laser is, but I think I want one! 😊

P.S. I did not think you were rude, I figured you were limited on your posts.
 
These are lovely – I wonder if you could make some with only the true figure of Christ embedded in the wood of the cross?
 
Divine3 That should be possible, but I think I need to practice more before I could pull that off.
 
@Awardables

Hi! Welcome to CAF! You do beautiful work.

My design preference from the first three photos is the first one, with a lighter stain than is shown, but not as light as the third one. I like that third one as my second choice, but with a slightly darker stain than shown.

My son is a hands-on jeweler. Using his own designs or those of his customers, he does everything himself, and does all repairs on the premises. He still uses the lost wax method for designing/fashioning with hot silver or gold, but the laser has made his work sooooo much easier, faster, and more perfect. Don’t you love yours?
 
It’s a great tool for the hobbiest and I’m sure for professional use as well. I’m going to guess that your son has a fiber laser for marking metal?
 
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Lol! No clue! Just know it cost an arm and a leg and he had a week of training out of state.

I’ve not seen it in operation. Have only seen the precision metal pieces that have been formed by it. He does still use the lost wax method for a lot of items, though, especially making a matching earring or period buttons from, say, the Civil War, and some types of rings.

People often become attached to metal pendants and charms that were made of alloys. Most of those types just can’t be repaired, but he can make a wax mold of the piece and, using the lost wax method make an identical pendant (or whatever) usually out of silver or gold.

An artisan metalsmith, he LOVES working with metal. I hope you become as passionate about your woodworking. He just simply loves going to work and never seems to lose his enthusiasm. God definitely answered my prayer that he be happy in his life’s work.
 
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Here is a new design.

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Depends on the locale. In the US, we more often see baptize.
 
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I love the beautiful script font. Some scripts are hard to read, but this one is clearly readable while still being visually pleasing.

I once knew a jeweler who used the lost wax method for everything she designed and made. It was quite an involved process, and required a knack that not everyone has.

It’s amazing what one can do with lasers these days.
 
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