Archive for the ‘Wooden Gifts’ Category
A Dream Vacation Home
After years of labor and frugal spending, my wife and I finally saved up enough money to purchase a vacation home last year. Some people fantasize about owning a beachfront villa or real estate in a golf community, but not us. We had our sights set on a secluded cabin hidden away in the Cascade Mountains.
When the deed was in our hands, we wasted no time in taking a month long vacation to enjoy the fruits of our labor. The first week was committed to outfitting the cabin with furniture and decorations. We wanted to maintain the lodging’s rustic appeal, so we opted for wood furniture and handcrafted wooden décor
Creating a Warm, Inviting Atmosphere
One of the best ways to positively change the feeling of the home is to add warmer decorations on a centralized fixture, such as flowers on a dining or coffee table. Of course, flowers are just one part, in order to have the best aesthetic possible, finding a vase that will complement the flowers is just as imperative.
I have found that the best decorative vases have been handcrafted wood ones. In the past the wood vase has been a staple of flea markets, art shows and church craft fairs, but aside from that they have been difficult to find. Thanks to the internet, you can find homemade vases all over the place and you’ll be able to choose from a near infinite selection that would best complement your home
Anniversary Commemorations
Celebrate your wedding anniversary in style. Renew your love for each other by updating your old-fashioned rings, or adding another one to commemorate a new chapter in your lives. The 14k yellow gold anniversary band comes in various designs that will satisfy anyone’s discriminating tastes. It is easy to wear on a daily basis and won’t irritate your skin.
Wedding bands can be ordered in different ring sizes as well as millimeter widths. They also now come in very attractive designs that include one or more gemstones to enhance their look. Anniversary bands are also available in other metal types aside from gold. There are platinum, sterling silver, titanium, stainless steel, and even rubber. Make sure that the presentation of the ring is special by placing it in a handcrafted wooden ring box.
A Mosaic Made of Wood
Mosaics have always been one of my favorite forms of visual artistry. Traditional paintings and sculptures are impressive in their own right, of course, but mosaics take a special level of vision and commitment. The complexity of a mosaic definitely varies, but the most complicated ones utilize thousands of pieces of tile, stone or glass to create a sophisticated image. The final effect is a lot like that of a pointillist painting.
Only recently did I discover that there’s a rough woodworking equivalent to the mosaic called intarsia. This style of craftsmanship employs many disparate pieces of wood and fits them together to create a uniform whole. When done correctly, these pieces of art achieve a three-dimensional effect that’s not seen in other forms of woodwork.
Beauty below the Bark
It’s astonishing to think what a bit of human creativity and ingenuity can accomplish. You and I might look at a block of marble and see a nondescript chunk of rock. For an artist, this is the raw material required to chisel out a sculpture. Woodworkers are the same way – finding treasures in the logs and bits of timber that would normally be relegated to the fire pit.
Knots and other “imperfections” make pieces of wood uniquely suitable for wood turning. This process involves the use of a lathe to craft elegant bowls, vases and other decorative pieces. Knots and grain in the wood naturally create a pleasing aesthetic effect and set each piece apart from the rest. What looks like just another nondescript log could theoretically contain a genuine masterpiece.
Piecing Together a Great Summer Day
For many American children, summer means a vacation from school. It means plenty of free time to ride bikes, swim in a nearby lake or stream, and reconnect with seasonal friends who visit on holiday. It’s not unusual for parents to struggle to keep track of their small kids – the outdoors beckons, and their energetic feet answer the call.
But not every summer day is suitable for outdoor play. A lightning storm can put a cramp in a kid’s style, but it’s only temporary; sometimes being confined to the house reminds them of other pastimes. For example, wood jigsaw puzzles offer hours of fun for a pair of friends or the whole family to enjoy together. The pieces are solid and substantial enough that they won’t be bent like cheap cardboard puzzles. Once in a while, a day indoors is just as rewarding as an outdoor adventure.
The Perfect Gift for Fans of Woodworking
If you live in the Pacific Northwest or any area that has a rich history with the Native Americans, you are probably very familiar with wood carvings. With totem poles and other forms of traditional wooden art everywhere, it’s very likely that fans of this art style will want to demonstrate that look in their own home. If that’s the case, look into any number of wood gifts for them.
Whatever style you choose to offer as a gift, it is sure to be appreciated, because it will be a standalone gift, but it will also be paying homage to the history of the person’s geographic region. And because these types of art are so sturdy, they are sure to last for many years. Plus, they are easy to clean. Use a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Promptly wipe dry. If it needs to be cleaned more extensively, use a gentle, non-abrasive wood polish.
A Stress-Free Form of Art
There’s something special about giving the gift of art. Especially if you’re able to afford an original piece, it can do wonders to increase the elegance of your home. But there is a fundamental problem with many pieces of art. They are usually not a small investment, and then they are so incredibly delicate that you feel like they could break at any moment. This makes moving particularly stressful, because you are bound to worry that your artwork will be irreparably damaged in the move.
That’s why wooden art is such a great option for families that actually like to live in their homes. If you have small children, for example, and they bump into a table, you shouldn’t have to yell at them just because you’re afraid they’re going to chip, damage, or altogether break some artwork. Wooden art, however, tends to be much more sturdy. This can be displayed on the wall or on an accent table. Either way, it’s not likely that it will undergo any serious damage.
Finding The Unique Gift
We see a lot of wooden items from flea markets. If you are looking for a unique something to give, look for wooden gifts. Small pieces like fruit baskets and jewelry boxes are still easy to find. They are not hand carved but are machine made. The finish is flawless and details are superb. Wooden picture frames are great gifts as well. Choose the kind of wood that you like in the color that will blend with the wall.
Wooden gifts are very much appreciated because they have become scarcer over the years. All this noise about preserving wood is making a negative effect on the wood carving industry. Have you noticed the shift from the hardwoods to softer kinds? It stands to logic because hardwoods take years to mature while the softer woods can be harvested in a few years. Let the carvers use sustainable wood and save wood art.