I can't remember if I posted this here before or not so here it is again.

This is a pictorial I put together a few years ago to make these Holiday Ornaments.

Click HERE to go to the pictorial. Click on the thumbnails for a full sized image and a description of what I'm doing in the pic.

This is what they look like.

If you make one please post a pic.

Shane those are incredible.

And, that is a wonderful pictorial you have there mister!

We don't get to  see much of your woodworking, but when we do, it's just as wonderful as your machinery, thanks for sharing Shane.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Thanks John

You are more then welcome. We are tad slow here tonight, otherwise you'd see some cyber drooling on your post here!!!!

Shane Whitlock said:

Thanks John

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Beautiful ornaments, Shane! And, spectacular photography!!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

What I want to know is, are any of them for sale?  They are absolutely beautiful.

 

Kathy I gave a few away as xmas gifts when I made them and the rest to my wife .... She has them hanging on the tree and I don't think she would part with any .... lol

They are easy to make ... Give it a try

Shane, those are incredible. Your work is always top notch. Perfect in every detail.

Thanks for posting those, I hope they inspire someone else to give them a try.

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John Moody
Site Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying

Beautiful ornaments Shane, I hope I can turn that good one day, just started.

Very Nice Shane!

What types of wood did you use?

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

I checked out the pictorial, did you turn the main body as you did the finials?

Thanks for the comments guys!

Larry the wood is Box Elder Burl and Cocobolo. The finish on most of them is CA and BLO.

Tony, I'm not sure I understand your questions. I turn the main body first so the finials can be sized to fit the openings. Is that what ya meant?

I should of mentioned above that you can click on the thumbnails for a full sized image and a description of what I'm doing in the pic.

Yes Shane, you answered it perfectly, again beautiful work.

Shane,

Box Elder? Wow I'd have never guessed.

I get quite a bit of it here, it's one of the weed trees in my area.

That and Hop Hornbeam (Ironwood).

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

The burl on the Box Elder tree can be some beautiful wood with some wild grain as ya can see in the pics below.

We have a lot of it here too, in fact, the county I live in is called Box Elder county ... lol

Shane,

I'll have to watch for the burls when I cut up the Box Elders.

I always thought they had some pretty wood with the red streaks running through it.

I've never tried making any lumber from them, but have to wonder if the wood would work like other Maple species.

Have you ever made your own syrup?

Being that they are a member of the Maple family, I tap them right along with the other Maples.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

lovely work.

Nope, never tried it. Is it good?
Larry Buskirk said:

... Have you ever made your own syrup?

Being that they are a member of the Maple family, I tap them right along with the other Maples.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Your tutorial is very well explained. I make my ornaments very much the same way. I think you did a better job explaining it then I would have.

Rob

It takes some time to boil the sap down, but the taste puts anything I've bought in a store to shame.

Depending on the sap used it can take from 30-55 gallons of sap to get one gallon of syrup.

Box Elder is on the high end due to having a lower sugar content, but it has that real Maple taste.

 
Shane Whitlock said:

Nope, never tried it. Is it good?
Larry Buskirk said: