Cool Pen Designs that....

Take a look at these Pen Designs.  I really want to give these a try soon.

If you know me, you will understand that I am obsessed with Pens.  That is the main reason I got into woodturning, I found out that I could make my own pens out of wood.  I am always on the lookout for new material and designs.  Yesterday I came across a site that sells Laser Cut Pen Blanks.  These blanks use colored or different types of wood to inlay a pattern, that once assembled and finished are just amazing.

My favorite is a Puzzle Piece Pen:

Second would have to be the Herringbone Pattern:

Got the Tree Up...

Last night we finished putting the decorations on the tree.  The tree has been up for a couple of days, and the lights have been on the house for almost a week.  My wife and I love this time of year.  We can't get started early enough.  Just a few more decorations to go around the house, then it is time to start filling under the tree.

Though we love to decorate, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.  We always keep in the front of our minds the TRUE Reason for the Season....  Christ Jesus, our Saviour was born.  

Materials - Coffee Wood

Coffee Wood
Medium Wood
Color: Golden Tones to Redish Tint
Strength: Strong
Notes: This wood has a grain pattern similar to Oak, but with wider grain pattern.

Examples:

Coffee Wood Small Square Plate

Holly Jolly Collection...

A Big thanks goes out to Beadles on Artfire.com, for including my Holly Pendant with Lapis Lazuli Inlay, in the Holly Jolly Collection.

This Pendant is made from Holly Wood, and had a crack running across the face of the Pendant.  I Thought that Enhancing this natural feature by Inlaying Lapis Lazuli, would make for a great feature.

New Design Element...

Recently I had a customer approach me about a design element she would like.  This element simulates the look of having a stone setting in the ring.  Similar to an Engagement Ring.  On this ring I made a standard Centered Groove for Inlay, but then made one area that was rounded out to form a bulge.  After inlaying the Stone and finishing, it appears that there is a Stone setting as a focal point. 

This design could be used with contrasting colors, or could possibly be done with a small gemstone or diamond.  I will be playing with this design, to develop it.

Now on to the ring...

It is made from Honduras Rosewood with Crushed Turquoise Inlay and a Simulated Stone setting out of Crushed Turquoise.

Walnut Wood Ring with Abalone Shell Inlay

I just love how this Abalone Shell looks when paired with a Dark Color Wood.  After picking up this Walnut to go with it, I decided to do a more domed shape for the ring.  I am very pleased with the results, and love how the Abalone flashes in the light.

Father Son Project

The other night my 10 year old son was wanting to learn to do some Woodturning.  I asked him what he would like to make.  He decided that he want to make a ring.  So he dug through the pile of new wood, and choose this piece of Lacewood that had some cool grain pattern.  And for an Inlay he choose Lapis Lazuli (Like Mother - Like Son).

The only parts that I helped him with were getting the inner diameter right so that it was sure to fit him, and the final polish.

I am so very proud of him.  He did a great job on this ring, and WILL be helping me out more in the future.

So without further ado, here it is:

3 weeks left to...

Only three weeks left to place your Christmas Order, and have it guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.  As an incintive to order earlier than later, I am going to offer a 25% discount from now until Nov 27th 2010.

To get this offer email me first and mention where you saw this listed.  Payment must be received before Nov 27th 2010 at Midnight CST.

Please checkout my Artfire Site for more examples.

Teak Wood w/ Copper Inlay Wedding Ring Set

This Teak Wood Wedding Ring Set was one of the first sets I made after we moved into our new house.  My wife and I needed an updated set of Rings, and I was wanting to try out a new design idea.

We ended up with the set you see here.  It is Teak Wood with a Copper Wire Inlayed and turned flat to match the contour of the ring.

Materials - Lacewood

Lacewood
Medium Wood
Color: Golden Tones with Iridescent qualities
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes: Dubbed the most workable wood in the World in the 1800s, Lacewood was originally from Australia. Now it grows in various other regions of the tropics to as far north as L.A. Other names for Lacewood are Silky Oak or Silver Oak. The dust from this wood is an irritant in 20% of the population. Beautiful pinks, reds, and golden tones combine with exceptional iridescent qualities to make this an excellent choice for many projects. Unique grain patterns with beautiful rays set this exotic hardwood apart from other woods.

Examples:

Lacewood w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Materials - Honduras Rosewood

Honduras Rosewood
Dark Wood
Color: Ranges of Red
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes: Colors range from light violets to light reds. Honduras Rosewood works well and finishes to a high natural polish. For a period of time, it was considered the only suitable Brazilian Rosewood substitute.

Examples:

Honduras Rosewood w/ Turquoise Inlay and Setting

Gift Certificates Now Available...

Are you not sure what size or style of ring that special someone might want or need?  I have just added the ability to purchase Gift Certificates.  Our rings usually start out at $50, with hard to find or exotic materials being more. 

Gift Certificates are available in $25 increments, so that you can cover all or just a portion of the cost.  They are not limited to just ring purchases either.  Our GC's can be used for any item in our Store, or any Custom Order.

To purchase a Gift Certificate please visit us at http://madeouttawood.artfire.com/

Materials - Deer Antler

Deer Antler
Antler
Color: White to Creamy White, Bone Color
Strength: Very Strong
Notes:  Deer Antler makes a great material for turning.  The strength of the Antler holds up well for pens, keychains, and rings.  The size of the Antler gives it limitations on size however.  

The thicker the Antler, the more pores it will have in the center.  This can give pens a very interesting texture, or place for Inlay.

Examples:

Deer Antler Keychain w/ Turquoise Inlay
and Chrome Hardware




Custom Order Wedding Set Ready to Ship

I Just recently completed this Matching Wedding Set. 

A couple from Washington State Contacted me to commision a set of rings out of Cherry Wood with Lapis Lazuli Inlay.  Cherry has a Great Significance to her Fiance, and the contrast with Lapis is just amazing.

Custom Order Ring Out the Door

Just getting around to posting this, since my Blog is so new. 

This ring was Custom Ordered as a Christmas Present. 

Completed and shipped by Oct 25, 2010.  The original request came after seeing my Cherry Ring with Lapis Lazuli Inlay.  The customer wanted a light color wood with Lapis Lazuli.  While looking through

Materials - Abalone Shell

Abalone
Shell
Color: Iridescent, Ranges of White, Blue, Pink, Green.
Strength: Flaky
Notes:  Flashes as it catches the light.

Examples:



Mahogany w/ Abalone Shell

 

Materials - Padauk Wood

Padauk
Dark Wood
Color: Deep Red
Strength: Strong and Durable


Examples:



Padauk Slimline Pen w/ Brass Hardware

The One Ring Prototype...

I just finished this prototype.  I am not completely satisfied with the lettering.  I will need to make some adjustments to the font size and spacing.  I also need to find a way to transfer the Inner Inscription.  Maybe that is why I did not turn invisible when putting it on.

Maple Wood w/ Inscription

This ring is inspired by the One Ring from J.R.R Tolkien's Masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.

Materials - Crushed Red Pepper Spice

Crushed Red Pepper
Spice
Color: Red with White Seeds
Strength: Very Soft,  Does not add Strength to piece.
Notes:  Looks best on lighter wood base

Examples:

Maple w/ Crushed Red Pepper Inlay

Materials - Orange Calcite Stone

Orange Calcite
Stone
Color: Translucent White to Orange
Hardness: 3 on MOHS Scale
Notes:  Good for Inlay. Turns and Sands easy on the lathe.

Examples:

Cocobolo w/ Orange Calcite Inlay

Materials - Lapis Lazuli Stone

Lapis Lazuli
Stone
Color: Ranges from White to Deep Cobalt Blue
Hardness: 5.5 on MOHS Scale
Notes:  Good for Inlay.  Sand on Lathe.

Examples:

Maple w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Materials - Turquoise Stone

Turquoise
Stone
Color: Light Blue
Hardness: 5-6 on MOHS Scale
Notes:  Good for Inlay.  Can be turned and sanded on lathe.

Examples:



Teak Wood w/ Turquoise Inlay

Materials - Copper

Copper
Metal
Notes:  Can be hammered or shaped on lathe.  Builds up heat when cutting.  Too much heat during shaping can release the glue.

Examples:

Teak Wedding Set w/ Copper Inlay

Holly w/ Copper Inlay



Osage Orange w/ Copper Veneer and
Dark Wood Edges



Padauk w/ Copper Inlay

Materials - Osage Orange Wood

Osage Orange
Light Wood
Color: Yellow w/ Brown Endgrain
Strength: Strong and Durable
Notes:  Will turn brown when exposed to Sunlight

Examples:

Osage Orange w/ Dark Wood Inlay

Osage Orange w/ Copper Veneer and
Dark Wood Edges

Osage Orange Slimine w/ Brass Hardware

Materials - Mahogany

Mahogany
Medium Color Wood
Color: Ranges from Medium to Dark Brown
Strength: Durable but Flexible when made too thin.  Best used in conjunction with another wood.
Mythical Qualities: Spiritual growth and guidance are Mahogany's primary properties.  It is an excellent wood for emotional and spiritual healing.

Examples:

Mahogany w/ Abalone Shell Inlay

Materials - Maple Wood

Maple
Light Wood
Color: Cream
Strength: Strong and Durable
Mythical Qualities: Maple is the tree of offering, giving of one's self so that other may benefit.
Notes: Plain grain, great base for Inlay

Examples:

Maple w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay

Maple w/ Crushed Red Pepper Inlay



Materials - Cherry Wood

Cherry
Light Wood
Color: Ranges from Cream to light Red.
Strength: Strong and Durable
Mythical Qualities: Cherry teaches us the lessons of clearing the pain of the heart and relating to others in a compassionate manner.  Cherry is the tree of the heart.
Notes: Endgrain darkens quicker.

Examples:



Cherry w/ Lapis Lazuli Inlay



Cherry w/ Cocobolo Inserts



Materials - Cocobolo Wood

Cocobolo
Dark Wood
Color: Dark Brown
Strength: Strong and Durable.  Tends to chip around edges due to grain pattern.
Notes:  Natural oils will shine wood over time.

Examples:




Cocobolo w/ Orange Calcite Inlay

 

Cherry w/ Cocobolo Inserts



Cocobolo Wood w/ Powdered Lapis Lazuli Inlay



Materials - Holly Wood

Holly
Light Wood
Color: Light Cream Color or white
Strength: Soft Wood, and dents easy

Examples:

Holly Wood w/ Dark Wood Inlay

Holly Wood w/ Copper Inlay



Materials - Teak Wood

Teak
Dark Wood
Color: Ranges from Medium to Dark Brown
Strength: Strong and Durable

Examples:



Teak w/ Turquoise Inlay



Teak w/ Crushed Red Pepper Inlay




Teak Wedding Set w/ Copper Inlay



Where to Find us...

Please check us out on the following:

http://facebook.com/madeouttawood - Become a Fan on Facebook to get updated info, deals, and coupons.

http://madeouttawood.artfire.com/ - This is our main retail site.  You can see items that we currently have in stock, or past designs to request a custom order.

http://madeouttawood.blogspot.com/ - Our Blog that you are on right now.

Welcome

Welcome to Woodturnings by Derek.  In this Blog I hope to keep you updated with what I am currently working on.  It will also give me a place to get feedback on new designs and materials.

Some posts may be more for my benefit, so that I can remember the properties of the materials I am working with.  It will also give you an insite into my thought/work processes.

Feel free to let me know what you think, or make suggestions and requests.  I am always open to trying new design ideas.