Sunday, July 11, 2010

Day 328: Desert Gold

Desert Ironwood is a fairly uncommon tree, even here in the Sonoran Desert.  It only grows here in Arizona, Northern Mexico, and a small corner of South East California.  As uncommon as it is burls from it are even more uncommon.  Pen blanks can run up to $20 each.  Most of what I got was thin stock, suitable for pendants and inlays.  I spent a couple hours today cutting up the smaller stuff along with some other stuff I've been holding onto for pendants.
I wasn't going to leave the shop without turning a piece.  With wood this beautiful you don't want to make things too complex or over embellished.  Simplicity and beauty is the key.  Wood like this is worth its weight in gold.

No comments:

Post a Comment