Friday, May 28, 2010

Wood Birds and Veggies


MORE wood projects completed-- I'm on a roll! I am in the process of re-establishing my Etsy shop after 2 years of not doing it. Don't know how to price these items though. Any honest opinions would be greatly appreciated.
For some reason I can't get this photo to upload right side up. The carrots are my favorite! These and the birds all have wire hangers on the back for wall display.

Wooden birds with wings and tail feather made from batik fabrics.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Wooden Geodesic Dome

Woodworking has been an interest of mine for about 3 years now, however, ever since I became pregnant 2 years ago, I have been unable to work on wood projects. It has been a combination of fatigue, lack of time, and lack of good work space in a new rental house that have kept me from my projects. Well, I have FINALLY completed an idea that has been brewing in my mind! This is an encouraging victory!


We recently studied Buckminster Fuller, the man who invented the geodesic dome. In fact, "Bucky" lived and taught in my town (Carbondale, Illinois) and the first ever dome home where he and his wife lived is located a few blocks from where I previously lived.
So after attending a week of events to celebrate Buckminster Fuller, I was inspired to craft a dome of my own.

1. First I cut and sanded plywood triangles

2. Piece by piece, I attached each part with a strip of fabric on the inside. I worked from the bottom row up, waiting for each connection to dry before adding another.

3. Once all the pieces were attached together, I reinforced each spot where 6 points met with a circle of fabric.

4. After all the fabric reinforcements were dry, I used white puff paint like grout in each gap between triangles. This was quite the process: I had to add at least 3 layers of puff paint "grout" to each trench. Every time I walked past, I would add a little more.

5. I added the white paint around the doorway, and it's done! Hooray! It's not quite what I had envisioned, but that's the beauty of art, right?

I plan to create a scene with a handmade 'guy' and plants and scenery and then take a photo of it to sell as art prints.

Wishing You Completed Projects,

Mama Randa the Once Again Woodworker

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Real P.E.

Well hello there mysterious little light!

Apparently the little light just wants to climb with Ari.

Building agility, strength, and most importantly, confidence.


Now this is REAL learning-- natural learning.



Wishing you exciting excursions,

Mama Randa the Rock Climber