tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62212820628294752602024-02-06T20:57:30.350-08:00Natural CreationsNatural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-36889140038215367642019-10-18T14:14:00.001-07:002019-10-18T14:14:26.114-07:00Creativity is Alive and WellBoy, I just noticed it has been 2 years since I posted last. Where does time go when one is having fun? Creativity is still alive and well if FL I can tell you. Everyday it seems like a new idea comes to mind to attempt. Most are not doable or just too dorky. But, then there is the spark of light that comes in the middle of the night. Where it comes from, who knows, but it is fun.<br />
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The last two years have been fun creating stuff. Am still doing a few stump tables and sculptures, but am now into wood picture frames from reclaimed wood, African bead necklaces, leather bracelets, driftwood adventures. I keep telling myself "focus" but when I try another idea comes to mind and I HAVE to try it. Is this creativity or just being a scatterbrain? It is interesting how the more I do, the more things overlap as to the techniques and being able to apply one creation to another.<br />
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I went to an art fair this last year and loved the African bead necklaces, so I thought I would try them. This led me to appreciate the beauty of these colorful handmade beads. Here are some of my pieces:<br />
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Then a friend asked me to make him a leather bracelet. So this is the result:</div>
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A friend is a wildlife and SW artist. I offered to make some frames for him, then for other friends and family members. I try to use reclaimed wood from scrap piles and builder's excess specialty wood. Here is what turned out:</div>
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A jewelry artist friend of mine also collects Lake Superior driftwood to use in sculptures. She gave me inspiration to try and do a few things with this natural material.</div>
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One day I was reading an interior design magazine and I came across an article on shou sugi ban. This is the ancient Japanese technique to waterproof exterior wood for structures. It entails burning the surface of the wood to create a solid black finish. I got sort of hooked on this and made these things:</div>
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Sorry, I don't mean to bore you or to brag, only trying to point out how creativity, if approached with an open mind, can open many opportunities to have fun and make cool or dorky stuff. All one has to do is say "sure, let's try it" and close the ears to "WHAT ARE YOU DOING" comments from others.</div>
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Happy Happy Creating. Key is to have fun, and maybe make some money along the way.</div>
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John or Gabby</div>
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Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-24112106574823218992017-10-30T09:17:00.001-07:002017-10-31T09:45:14.628-07:00Apathy of the Human SpiritI am going to vary my "wood" blogs for a moment in order to comment on what I feel is the growing apathy of the human spirit. This is a large subject. I am not a professional in this field of psychology, but it is something I become more aware of daily.<br />
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By apathy among people, I mean people who are happy in their "comfort zone" of life and do not want to "rattle the cage." Apathy is defined in Wikipedia as: "A lack of feeling, interest, and concern. A state of indifference. A suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, and/or passion." People who are not interested in speaking out if their beliefs are hindered in any way. "Let your voice be heard" is not acceptable behavior. Who am I to argue against any of this. Each person has a right to his or her own lifestyle and how they want to live it. However, things in life do not change unless there are people who are willing to speak out and fight for their beliefs. The status quo continues and the powerful people have the ability to control a lifestyle according to their desires and motivations.<br />
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This is not a modern day occurrence. The Romans were ruled by the few. When there was a revolt, it was slammed down. Corruption and self dealing finally led to the downfall of Rome. The French and the Bolshivic revolutions happened when the apathetic population finally, after centuries of power control by the elite, let their voices be heard. When the power structure was threatened, they attempted to put it down. The people rose up, apathy went away, and their world was changed for the better. Look what happened to Germany. Hitler rose to power with a powerful few at his side, had an excellent "marketing"program, and there existed a general apathy from the populous. Look what occurred when the world finally realized what was happening. Apathy changed to action and Hitler was defeated.<br />
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I mentioned that I am concerned with a "growing" public apathy. Looking at the past, I guess today is no different then history. Humans are human. Nothing changes unless people are determined to change things. Step up, be counted, have conflict if necessary, BUT let your voice be heard if one wants change. I see too many people gripe about issues, but never take the net step to speak out.<br />
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America was built by patriots who dared to let their voices and actions be heard. Washington, Hamilton, Hale, and many others. What happened? America severed British control and started the greatest country in the world in 1776. What would have happened if these patriots would have just sat back and accepted the status quo? The United States could have become multiple countries as the British parceled us out to Spain, Mexico, Russia, and others.<br />
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Let's look at others who have "let their voices be heard." Gandhi. Churchill. Lincoln. Roosevelt. ML King. Gloria Steinem. Castro. Gabby Gifford.<br />
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I understand these people are anomolies. The world will never have many of these super achievers. But, each person can, if determined enough, shed their apathy and make a change in little ways. Ways that will make life better not only for them, but for their neighbors, fellow countrymen, and the world.<br />
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***The above was written in Summer 2017. LOOK what has happened since:<br />
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The Weinstein sexual abuse scandal has rocked Hollywood and many other entities both public and private. For many years, people kept silent about what they knew was wrong. Finally, Rose McGowan spoke out in a forceful manner about being raped by Weinstein. The flood gates opened with 58 accusers. This protest is spreading to other accusers. This could be the most influential social movement in American history. No longer will sexual abusers get away with their acts.<br />
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In order to protest civil rights abuses and racial injustices, NFL players decided to "Let Their Voice Be Heard" by kneeling during the American anthem and flag raising. This was not out of disrespect for the flag, America, or our military. It was a forceful way to protest and demand change in racial relations.<br />
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Hard to imagine these issues have been around for years, with a lot of people aware, but by hiding under the rug life was safer.<br />
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Enough said. I will get back to creativity on my next posts.</div>
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John (Gabby) Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD</span></div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-45717997687291952472017-05-29T15:00:00.003-07:002017-05-29T15:00:20.604-07:00Reclaimed Cypress Tables #2I just looked at my first blog on creating stump tables from river reclaimed cypress. It was 4 YEARS ago. No, must be a typo. Have I been at this thing that long? Guess so!! I have survived with no crushed toes, cut off fingers, my hand arthritis is still there but a martini at night helps, made a few bucks, and believe I have made people happy by incorporating my creations into their homes.<br />
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The evolution of my work has been interesting and fun. Every piece of cypress turns out differently in color and grain. Here is a stump that has over 800 life rings. When recovered it was covered with 150 years of silt and scum. But, when cleaned and sanded it turned into a great reddish brown, showing all its rings. It seems like the older a log, the more color it has. I have proven my son Eric wrong when, upon asking him for ideas on the piece, said I need to cut it up for firewood. No imagination my little 45 year old son.<br />
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Sections from a 800 year old river reclaimed cypress. Before the fun started.</div>
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First cypress table from the rough sections</div>
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Second cypress table from the rough sections.</div>
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Here are four side tables from the same log with over 300 life rings. They do not have the color the 800 year old ones have, but they are still cool. The colors really come out with more coats of clear finish. I usually do 4 coats, with sanding in between.<br />
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I had a couple of logs that fell apart and I cut them into smaller pieces. Check the various colors from 2 separate logs. OK, but what should I do with them? Tried getting my interior designer daughter to incorporate them into some of her beach decors. There was a polite, no thank you. What do I know? Met a glass blower artist at an art fair recently. She might try and incorporate glass elements into the voids. Guess this applies to the saying - take the blinders off. You never know when something cool might evolve.<br />
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These are cut from the above rough sections.</div>
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Recently I had a log that was totally hollow, but solid on the outside. It was filled with silt and had interesting voids. Amazing what a power washer and a Dremel tool can do to open up the beauty of a log that had been submerged since the 1800s. I was very happy to place it with friends for their new house.<br />
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I am going to vary my log comments for a minute to talk about other uses for logs. My friend Cara recently had to cut down a lovely, old white pine. She has an old farm house and thought she could salvage boards from the pine for her floor. Here is the result before and after finishing. What a great use of old, beautiful trees, rather then shoving them into a landfill. GREAT job Cara.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kp8fuKwZXrclrB6fkrNOnibozKZ-cHjbyaqwey_4tSQF5F4lPzdwicrsjR-DgYdsd-iV4UcJdQhDGulPX3hen2sxRExLsqWqKr-QzM0-pb73SzPyj70lXmz4RtC-Rr9Ov8DCxTgpvMqx/s1600/Cara+Pine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Kp8fuKwZXrclrB6fkrNOnibozKZ-cHjbyaqwey_4tSQF5F4lPzdwicrsjR-DgYdsd-iV4UcJdQhDGulPX3hen2sxRExLsqWqKr-QzM0-pb73SzPyj70lXmz4RtC-Rr9Ov8DCxTgpvMqx/s320/Cara+Pine1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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One last tidbit on trees. Our community recently removed some magnolias that had become overgrown and a nuisance. Here is an end cut of the base of one of the trees. It shows the growth life rings and how fast a tree grows in this Florida climate. There are 2-3 rings per inch. My reclaimed, original growth cypress logs have 25-30 rings per inch. Each ring is a year of the tree's growth. This slow growth of original timber produces beautifully grained and tight wood.<br />
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Well, I have finished my Starbucks coffee and am off to find some new stumps/logs. Or to finish sanding some of my current stock. Often the "search" turns out to be more fun than standing over a table with my orbital sander. Remember, never pass up the opportunity to put that strange looking log into your truck. It might be a treasure, or just a bunch of bug infested fire wood.<br />
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Take Care</div>
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Spring is here. Watch out for critters in the woods.</div>
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Margaritas are wonderful this time of year.</div>
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Protest the WH and Trump against destroying our national wildernesses and parks.</div>
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Never trust a Swede with a chain saw.</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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www.naturalcreations.me<br />
johngabrielson5@gmail.com<br />
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-76842501420273925722017-01-09T09:00:00.001-08:002017-01-09T09:00:28.029-08:00The Decrease of Women Power thru the AgesNow I am really straying form my blogs on reclaimed wood. This is about what I believe is the decline in women's rights thru the ages. I became interested in this subject as I witnessed the inequality that exists today between women and men. This has been brought to my attention especially as my two super granddadaughters are soon to enter the real world. I want them to have an equal fighting chance with their male counterparts, and be tough enough to challenge them.<br />
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Let's look at the importance of women in society thru the ages. Then compare this with today's environment.<br />
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American Indians.<br />
Prior to the tribes being destroyed, women were the important element in the tribal structure. There was a clear division of responsibilities. The men were the hunters and the warriors. The women bore the children, raised them, did the cooking, made the clothing, tended the gardens. It is interesting that the women were the force behind all tribal actions. The men were the only ones allowed in the governing pow wows, but they were controlled by the desires of the women being the scenes. Not so today in urbanized Indian communities.<br />
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Scandinavian Vikings.<br />
Women were revered. The men were the warriors, but the women ran everything else. Some would even fight beside the men in raids around Europe. If a woman was abused, the abuser would be banished from the settlement. If a man raped a woman, his "manly parts" would be cut off and could be hung at the house of the woman. Then banished. This certainly is a lot different than today when the rapists can get off scot free and the accuser woman is criticized and emotionally hurt for years.<br />
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Venezuala.<br />
Prior to the recent downfall of this country, there was a reform movement to reduce poverty. The government actually paid qualified families in cash rather than food stamps and other welfare. In return, the families had to insure their children went to school and a number of other things. This worked. AND the government only paid the cash to the woman of the family. They assumed, rightly so, that the woman would spend the money on needed items of food and clothing. Rather than drinking it up. Now, is this further evidence of the importance of woman? This worked until corruption and the oil crisis blew the country apart.<br />
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Italy and other Mediterranean countries.<br />
I recently read: "in Italy when Mama is mad, better watch out, but if Nona is mad, better run." I found this true when we visited Italy a lot a few years ago. There is a constant respect for women, especially as they age. Elderly grandmothers live with their children and are not pushed into nursing homes. They are respected for their wisdom and lifelong family contributions. And they continue to contribute to the family life.<br />
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OK, then when did all this change? Maybe the respect for women's rights never did occur in America as in older countries. Maybe we are too new to have established this tradition. Except, look at the pioneer women. They were tough and considered equals. They ran the house and often fought alongside their men. Maybe the urbanization of America was the cause. Who knows.<br />
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Maybe it started with religion. the Catholics only had men in their hierarchy until recently. Birth control was an issue - often against women's rights. In certain areas, like Salem, unusual women were sometimes branded as a witch and burned. Maybe it was that few women worked outside the house, vs today when it is 50%. "Women's work" was not as respected as "what the male breadwinner"did. This possibly created a sense of who is more important.<br />
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Today we have abuse in the workplace. Unequal pay for equal work. Rapes that were not dealt with like those by Bill Cosby. Rapes on college campuses that were pushed under the rug for years. Gang rapes on the Panama City Beach last year while people stood around and watched. Trump and his response to Megan Kelly and his "fondle" comments on the bus. And on and on. This is a total lack of respect for women.<br />
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Finally today, we have an environment where women are not scorned for speaking up, whether it is on campus or in the workplace. Courts are awarding massive settlements as in the FOX News abuse cases. College administrators are finally taking the side of the abused woman and punishing perpetrators. Equal pay for equal work is becoming more common.<br />
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This is all great. But we have a lot farther to go for equality for women of all races and backgrounds.<br />
We all need to be aware of this abuse today and let our voices be heard to fight it. Maybe cutting off a rapist's penis and testicles isn't such a bad idea.<br />
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Well, I have once again vented on one of the issues very important to me. I apologize for offending anyone. If you disagree, that is your privilege and I respect this. However, those who believe in this issue, must let their voices be heard. That is the only way changes can be made.<br />
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<b>LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD, LOUD AND CLEAR.</b></div>
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<b>Thanks for listening to me.</b></div>
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<b>Have a happy and healthy 2017</b></div>
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<b>John "Gabby" Gabrielson</b></div>
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<b>(they do not call me Gabby for nothing)</b></div>
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<b>johngabrielson5@gmail.com</b></div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-77920719055236246912017-01-01T09:17:00.001-08:002017-11-10T08:02:07.277-08:00What is this Aging All About?OK, as long as this is my blog, I am taking the opportunity to post a totally different thing than my usual wood and creative stuff.<br />
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I just turned 75 and am semi retired, or just messing around depending on who you ask. Am I old, over the hill, should be taken care of, or what? As I say "bull shit." That 75 is just a number on my driver's license. Probably look 75 or 80, but feel like I am 55.<br />
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If you are bald, grey hair and with a few (or more) wrinkles, often we are put into an<br />
"oh oh, better take care of them" category. When I go grocery shopping at Publix, the bagger always grabs my cart to take to the car, I suppose assuming I will croak if I do it myself. I "nicely' tell the person that I can handle it and it is good exercise. I know they are just being kind and probably do it to younger people also. Then people will say "pardon me SIR", or "you first SIR." I am not a SIR, I am a happy, healthy 75 year old that could whip many of these kids, well maybe in my dreams. Then when you are trying to help move something heavy, which I could do, people run to take over. I don't need help. Shove off. Boy, do I sound like a grumpy old man.<br />
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My name is Gabby. Not good for a 75 year old I guess. People, other then friends, are reluctant to call me by this name. Maybe it should be something more respectable of my age, or not something a kid would be called. Big rip. I am Gabby.<br />
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I find "aging" a very interesting and challenging time in our lives. We ache more, fall down more, have memory losses, and look forward to that afternoon nap. I have found a little Aleve helps a lot, and maybe a glass of wine or two. It is interesting because of the perception that we are in the twilight of our years. Sure our time is limited, but this is where the challenge is. What do we want to do for the rest of our lives, whether it is 2 or 20 years. We can either knuckle under and feel sorry for ourselves or "go for the gusto." I go with the Gusto option.<br />
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Sometimes I am amazed with my "wisdom." Not that I am smart, but I guess living for 75 years gives me a lot more insight into things. I find it fun to use this wisdom in new ways and with new ideas. I have learned to temper my comments to my children. It is so easy to "tell them the way." I have found that my way often is not the best, especially in the new tech world we live in. So, I now keep my big mouth shut until I am asked for advise.<br />
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So, now that I am 75, what do I do now, especially if I feel like I am 55? Well, that is a good question. I hate to speak out much due to it seeming like I am preaching on how to lead a better life to my peers.. This is not my intention at all. Each to their own desires. I find it a very introspective time. With the free time we have as retirees, the "world can still be our oyster," OR the world can be a depressive prison. I read a lot on what us "Boomers" or older, "should" do in in our later years. Words are fine, but I have found it takes internal motivation to lead a better, more fulfilling life. This can be hard, unless one really wants to change, and often change a lot.<br />
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I have found old ways and beliefs often have to be thrown into the dumpster. I have been burdened with "if only I had done this", or "doing this is below my status," or "what will people think of me." I have broken through this barrier by myself and with help. It was not easy for awhile. Fortunately, I am "thru the dark tunnel" and looking at a beautiful sunlit life ahead of me. Sure there are and will be many bumps along the way, but I yell at myself that I will be able to handle them.<br />
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I keep telling myself: laugh a lot, DO NOT take life and it's events seriously - things will pass, take the blinders off, eat that extra bagel, take a nap, sleep until 9, love - love- love, bring joy to someone everyday - especially strangers. As a good friend has said: "we are only here for a visit and each passing day makes our time shorter."<br />
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OK, that is off my mind. Now back to wood and creating blogs.<br />
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Happy New Year everyone. LIFE CAN BE AND IS GOOD. GRAB THE GUSTO.<br />
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<b>JOHN "GABBY" GABRIELSON</b></div>
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<b>www.johngabrielson5@gmail.com</b></div>
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<b>NATURAL CREATIONS.ME</b></div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-36913489338591388612016-12-01T09:48:00.003-08:002016-12-01T09:48:34.968-08:00How About Shell Art TherapyI recently blogged about wood art therapy. How about shell art therapy, especially for those living along coastal areas that have shelling? Blogging about "therapy" makes it sound like I really need help. Well, maybe some people think I do, but I find these things add to my quality of life.<br />
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I live in NW Florida where the beaches are wonderful, but typically have no shells. However, several years ago we had beach nourishment due to erosion. The contractor brought in sand to pump onto the shore that contained shells. Well, I and my grandkids had a ball for two years collecting surface shells and digging for others. We came up with hundreds of neat ones. Now what to do with them? We made stuff.<br />
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When I talk about shelling for therapy, I mean finding them and creating objects. I love the "finding" phase. I can roam for hours with my head bent over looking for shells. When I go to an area known for shelling, I am up early after a storm checking to see what has washed up. When I am vacationing along a shell shore like SW Florida, I love taking a leisurely walk for exercise AND to look for shells. It is therapeutic for me. I come back to the beach chairs loaded with shells - mostly junk ones. But it is the "hunt" that is fun. After leaving, the junk shells normally go into the trash. The grandkids and I also try to find "shell holes" where shells had been buried under the sand. We found numerous pure treasures holes. Like finding pirate treasure.<br />
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We accumulated a lot of shells. Now what to do with them. We bought cheap frames from Michaels , pained them, and glued shells to the edges. Make super beachy frames.<br />
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Then we made some shell balls. Taking styrofoam balls and pressing in and gluing the shells. When I saw similar ones for sale at Pier 1 for $8, it did not bother me that we had spent hours working on them. It is the therapy and creating that counted for us. Normally we used small white shells. Sometimes we dyed them pastel, beach colors - fun look.<br />
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Then we took shells and filled glass vases, sometimes adding white beach sand on the bottom. Fun beach setting and free if you have the vase.<br />
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Then we took some medium shells and drilled a hole to make a necklace pendant. It was not a "Tiffany," but we made it and it had memories. I am sure it made it to the trash early on. We will just make more.<br />
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The result of all our efforts were and are numerous. I and my family had loads of fun finding and creating. This time is invaluable for memories. My granddaughter is 19 and we still talk about our shelling adventures. The shell process was and is a great therapeutic experience for me. I can lose myself for hours hunting for shells on the beach or creating. Who cares what the results look like, it is great for me. Sometimes, the result is good or better. We still have shell frames, shell balls, and shell filled vases displayed around the house. Each one has memories.<br />
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However, sometimes I found myself not appreciated. I found so many shells that I loved giving them to kids that were looking for them, but had found few. I would "seed" the area around where they were looking so they could find more. Then I started giving them to kids. Once, the mother gave me a very dirty look. I guess part of the "don't talk to strangers issue." From that point on, I always asked the parent before if I could give their kids some shells. Much better.<br />
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Mother Nature's products offer many ways to introduce free therapy into your life. I find that the first thing needed is to open my mind and ask myself "now, what can I make out of this." Often it is goofy, but who cares. I want to please myself and do not need approvals. It does help that I am semi retired and my efforts would equate to $.05 per hour or less. The process simply gives me internal pleasure.<br />
Try it you might like it.<br />
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Thanks for listening to me. I might bore you, but I am having fun.</div>
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Life is great. Let's have fun while we are still able to.</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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NW Florida, Land of Excitement and Beauty</div>
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612-816-5378</div>
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Have a great holiday season.</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-90427646043160290222016-11-27T10:32:00.003-08:002016-11-27T10:32:41.617-08:00Wood Art Therapy to Calm the SoulAn artist friend recently introduced me to wood art therapy. She was distraught by the election results and other things. She needed something creative to help calm the soul. She chose wood therapy as a form of meditation.<br />
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Wood therapy can be a form of mental therapy by losing oneself in the creation of something with wood. In the past, I have seen the benefits of working with wood. I lose myself in trying to create something unique. It does not have to be a masterpiece. It is the mental process of creating something with wood. Wood art is also fun to create with kids.<br />
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The easiest way to start is with simple things - random pieces of wood like driftwood or forest scraps, some twine, some glue, some wire, maybe some nails, a saw, maybe some rocks or shells, and paint. You don't need woodworking equipment or expertise for this. Simply an open mind to make something, regardless of how it looks. Take the blinders off.<br />
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Here are some examples of wood creativity using driftwood:<br />
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A great resource for ideas is Pinterest. Just search for driftwood, wood art, etc.</div>
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Ok, now that you might want to try, where do you start. First off, you need the wood pieces. Walk the beach to find driftwood, especially if you live in the NW. Walk thru a forest, picking up different types of scrap pieces. After a storm on large lakes like Superior or Michigan, check out the beaches. Look in your garage for old wood. Visit a saw mill to buy some unique wood scraps.</div>
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Then look around your house for odd "things": corks, wire, fabric, utensils. These can be incorporated into sculptures. Again, who cares what it looks like. The funkier the better.</div>
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Enjoy this simple form of therapy. It costs nothing, just time. Who knows what will evolve from it.</div>
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Have a great time. Mother Nature is awaiting your visit.</div>
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John Gabrielson</div>
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AMERICA THE GREAT.</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-63268247611420882502016-11-13T08:22:00.002-08:002016-11-18T12:15:51.667-08:00Old Mystical Beliefs on Warding off Bad Spirits<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Now it is the time of night<br />
That the graves, all gaping wide,<br />
Every one lets forth his sprite<br />
In the church-way paths to glide.<br />
William Shakespeare, <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Midsummer Night’s Dream"</em></div>
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If you believe that haints, or spirits or other ghostly apparitions come out at night then you may need to build a bottle tree or dream catcher for protection. </div>
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The first belief is the Bottle Tree. The belief in the bottle tree was believed to have been brought to America by the African slaves many years ago. </div>
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Bottle tree colors can range from blue, to clear, to brown, but cobalt blue are always preferred: in the Hoodoo folk-magic tradition, the elemental blues of water and sky place the bottle tree at a crossroads between heaven and earth, and therefore between the living and the dead. The bottle tree interacts with the unknown powers of both creative and destructive spirits.</div>
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The bottles are placed upside down with the neck facing the trunk. Trees need not be thickly populated with bottles. Malevolent spirits, on the prowl during the night, enter the bottles where they become trapped by an “encircling charm”. It is said that when the wind blows past the tree, you can hear the moans of the ensnared spirits whistling on the breeze. Come morning they are burnt up by the rising sun.</div>
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Today, the bottle tree has entered the realm of folk art. Companies now market bottle tree armatures meant to serve, once clothed with milk, wine, or milk of magnesia bottles, as colorful garden ornaments. The poor man’s stained glass window, you might say.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The second mystical tool to ward off bad spirits is the Dream Catcher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The traditional dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams</span><span class="plain" style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, while letting positive dreams through. The positive dreams would slip through the hole in the center of the dream catcher, and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. The negative dreams would get caught up in the web, and expire when the first rays of the sun struck them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The dream catcher originated as an American Indian belief to help ward off ward off bad dreams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">The Ojibwe people have an ancient legend about the origin of the dreamcatcher. Storytellers speak of the Spider Woman, known as Asibikaashi; she took care of the children and the people on the land. Eventually, the Ojibwe Nation spread to the corners of North America and it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. So the mothers and grandmothers would weave magical webs for the children, using willow hoops and sinew, or cordage made from plants. The dreamcatchers would filter out all bad dreams and only allow good thoughts to enter our mind. Once the sun rises, all bad dreams just disappear.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Even infants were provided with protective charms. Examples of these are the "spiderwebs" hung on the hoop of a cradle board. These articles consisted of wooden hoops about 3½ inches in diameter filled with an imitation of a spider's web made of fine yarn, usually dyed red. In old times this netting was made of nettle fiber. Two spider webs were usually hung on the hoop, and it was said that they "caught any harm that might be in the air as a spider's web catches and holds whatever comes in contact with it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Traditionally, the Ojibwe construct dreamcatchers by tying sinew strands in a web around a small round or tear-shaped frame of willow (in a way roughly similar to their method for making snowshoe webbing). The resulting "dream-catcher", hung above the bed, is used as a charm to protect sleeping people, usually children, from nightmares.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">The Ojibwe believe that a dreamcatcher changes a person's dreams. According to Konrad J. Kaweczynski, "Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through... Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day." Good dreams would pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper.</span></span><br />
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Pleasant dreams everyone. Don't let the boogey men get you.</div>
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John Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving to All.</div>
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Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-28921260174603283782016-07-03T11:29:00.003-07:002016-07-03T11:29:57.645-07:00How to Finish Your Log - Part 3OK, now you have an interesting log staring at you. What to do next?<br />
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You have a couple of options: 1) leave it as is in a rough state and put it in your house. The problem is, someone might think it is fire wood or your dog will use it is a depository for its urine. Not good, unless you live in the wilds of Alaska. Or option 2), finish it as a great piece of furniture which your dog will not dare touch.<br />
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So, how do you finish the log? What is its rough condition? Here are some of the rough logs I picked up from the saw mill. Remember, they might look like junk, but these are the mill's assets which you need to pay for. One needs a certain amount of imagination looking at one of these and thinking of the potential. I will be showing my work with river reclaimed old sinker cypress. This is my main wood these days. They have a lot of character and are often more then 400 years old. However, my process will work with any suitable wood.<br />
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The saw mill yard with river reclaimed old sinker cypress logs. I try and find a discarded piece of one of these large logs.</div>
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Rough logs fresh from the mill.</div>
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More logs fresh from the mill.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4EYlnLDiCOYePv1ogdeqqT6TlMR9mGoPQW6b1Z0fFhM8F8hEjCPq6U6ibnKlEo5Dvc_kRpgiI-ezNP9m8HM5M0evCtQvZsqRUDaxItxk5SJhPyMDyk6vOS__1UcauI11Vnb4JGo7X6FW/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4EYlnLDiCOYePv1ogdeqqT6TlMR9mGoPQW6b1Z0fFhM8F8hEjCPq6U6ibnKlEo5Dvc_kRpgiI-ezNP9m8HM5M0evCtQvZsqRUDaxItxk5SJhPyMDyk6vOS__1UcauI11Vnb4JGo7X6FW/s320/IMG_2252.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My best ever log when finished. </div>
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Now you have your log/logs safe at your workshop. Next step is to clean the exterior of the remnants of "stuff" from the river or woods - bugs, weeds, silt, mud, poison ivy, animal droppings. Newer, none reclaimed logs can be a lot easier to clean. Best way is with a power washer. If you do not have this, then a hose and a brush with soap. </div>
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Power washing can be a blast, but better wear old clothes.</div>
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Now your "future treasure" is nice and clean. What about any rot? What looks like rot in my cypress is actually fungus that ate away the tree while it was alive. Once harvested, the fungus died. Cypress is impervious to rot, so while they were under water, no rot has occurred. Other wood like pine, birch and maple will rot naturally. This rot needs to be removed prior to finishing or it will continue to damage the log. Here I am removing the fungus infected rot from sinker cypress logs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeoDoGFv0G4dt8KIbk1lxcdwLGEPW3mZfr1gOHF8O83CCIDK20ZHcqQ2z0CLnbkWN2WY_THBr0y4nqKc_C5neeV7z_PjnRE7goimqP5LUV4klUAImol0C6PwjLmVDc35HqQmwTUUd4N2J/s1600/Gabby+chisel+in+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeoDoGFv0G4dt8KIbk1lxcdwLGEPW3mZfr1gOHF8O83CCIDK20ZHcqQ2z0CLnbkWN2WY_THBr0y4nqKc_C5neeV7z_PjnRE7goimqP5LUV4klUAImol0C6PwjLmVDc35HqQmwTUUd4N2J/s320/Gabby+chisel+in+front.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Chiseling away the bad wood. Sometimes there is nothing left. After a few bruised knuckles, I learned to wear a glove.</div>
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At this point, the log needs to be shaped and sanded to its final shape before finishing. One can feel like a Michalangelo creating a "David", well not quite. But the artist feeling can be there, or not. I have found angle grinders, belt sanders and orbital sanders work the best with various grit papers. Of course, there is the old elbow grease with hand sanding. The log needs to be smooth prior to applying the liquid finishes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jkc6qVDJ_2IBQsLh-69c-xpLBKgu5moIogOHc0WvmVp5MDGaIoJpJorIqIAIFQ-aXCzIAS7Fe4STeaoiFZKrh8zULVTo8O6zqUSpdshJ4OIUd-GS1NOi0aAuQ9n0_mom5gC-rpzTvYhh/s1600/two+new+stumps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jkc6qVDJ_2IBQsLh-69c-xpLBKgu5moIogOHc0WvmVp5MDGaIoJpJorIqIAIFQ-aXCzIAS7Fe4STeaoiFZKrh8zULVTo8O6zqUSpdshJ4OIUd-GS1NOi0aAuQ9n0_mom5gC-rpzTvYhh/s320/two+new+stumps.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sinker cypress stumps ready for finishes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDQxKhrIbSFFJsMLoQpSkU7lmXA-CLa1fXO-C1BHZFHN38dKKlVpK4M-rmbEZtvO1bIlLGTaynp__T1E-R5Z8FRT7x5FNjB_DlA9O2Ydr2_dGqSGCd2n22KxIUIrN9_B1wqdI7Mjf8OAc/s1600/Pflaum2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDQxKhrIbSFFJsMLoQpSkU7lmXA-CLa1fXO-C1BHZFHN38dKKlVpK4M-rmbEZtvO1bIlLGTaynp__T1E-R5Z8FRT7x5FNjB_DlA9O2Ydr2_dGqSGCd2n22KxIUIrN9_B1wqdI7Mjf8OAc/s320/Pflaum2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Heavily fungus infested stumps can create great configurations.</div>
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Now comes the fun stage - applying the final liquid finishes. A decision needs to be made on the tone and sheen you want. Will it be a dark tone, natural finish, or paint washed? Will it have a flat finish or have a gloss? And will it be a water based or oil based finish. I am assuming the stump will be indoors, due to the amount of work involved. If it will be located outside, then a number of the above steps can be shortened or eliminated. In order to preserve the color, I normally use 3-5 coats of sealer. If the stump will be oil stained, it will need to be sealed after this application. If it will remain natural, then no second sealer is needed. Here are examples of the various finishes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qnTHOJ46NcDyFS1JGhMpnTRZw5sDigP4aWkOuw5kZ8VZOYFl_wbLXyAJSGmHpRHwph7CCNu1RnWRAFoID2pizl83_n1qcUWHFcFXQtSb1e_m-_cSRteqaXgQgNgcZwc_qh_7x7Gugy-n/s1600/6%253A2016+big+round2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qnTHOJ46NcDyFS1JGhMpnTRZw5sDigP4aWkOuw5kZ8VZOYFl_wbLXyAJSGmHpRHwph7CCNu1RnWRAFoID2pizl83_n1qcUWHFcFXQtSb1e_m-_cSRteqaXgQgNgcZwc_qh_7x7Gugy-n/s320/6%253A2016+big+round2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Natural finish side table.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ7WgxzCWvQxC9VJL_LGg-l8ASXei9TV78mJ2yip6QV8OHt63P8bWBGeKC-DFv695DDF_zRwIMZrZE6IFrMDyZAQ1KcZYLHAsQ_XXMIOV9Zd-LKeQ8bcPpES0r9Hv9o3fFVwnoaEgOoZ5/s1600/Burgers+2+tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ7WgxzCWvQxC9VJL_LGg-l8ASXei9TV78mJ2yip6QV8OHt63P8bWBGeKC-DFv695DDF_zRwIMZrZE6IFrMDyZAQ1KcZYLHAsQ_XXMIOV9Zd-LKeQ8bcPpES0r9Hv9o3fFVwnoaEgOoZ5/s320/Burgers+2+tables.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dark stained finish coffee tables.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-rnMGyVHCr6dxDFiddUXNFiZBUYKQJSD8NO93ZUgTuaiSIpv4PseF96WqD8VOtyJuG0_cwfhKoZK5gzYlA8iMYTM7l6840BmCY9SSYmHyPXpy7epZ5J8yyIppAYwlxci5CPZhpiqpKl9/s1600/Gabby+and+2+stumps-2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-rnMGyVHCr6dxDFiddUXNFiZBUYKQJSD8NO93ZUgTuaiSIpv4PseF96WqD8VOtyJuG0_cwfhKoZK5gzYlA8iMYTM7l6840BmCY9SSYmHyPXpy7epZ5J8yyIppAYwlxci5CPZhpiqpKl9/s320/Gabby+and+2+stumps-2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Natural finish side tables.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S2w5C3fApZ3rRfZizJhsk_AnMRWNL6bFbQshysmcyzokUUcTfwOqKyjruGHfgUDd9V4KckCMUfa-apAtIWljjO9U7Nw9mcOW4MS5Ot2AqQkGg_MtbmTcuazqquUx8C-GLbb8lGQLS4XX/s1600/New+table-11%253A10%253A13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S2w5C3fApZ3rRfZizJhsk_AnMRWNL6bFbQshysmcyzokUUcTfwOqKyjruGHfgUDd9V4KckCMUfa-apAtIWljjO9U7Nw9mcOW4MS5Ot2AqQkGg_MtbmTcuazqquUx8C-GLbb8lGQLS4XX/s320/New+table-11%253A10%253A13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stained finish cypress table.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ606-7SDhJUnr-TrkrqaJQzqFT22j9c9NUkMKa3bZnjE5XrYe3l4qPQt0heqDnSIUSXvpdlrUDWkCt9RYp50SDhb_HECyvJ6Ms04OiDRdkpmK2Du25ZTj6kvavPelDOGl44LJt-2n7EHk/s1600/Stender+table+5%253A16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ606-7SDhJUnr-TrkrqaJQzqFT22j9c9NUkMKa3bZnjE5XrYe3l4qPQt0heqDnSIUSXvpdlrUDWkCt9RYp50SDhb_HECyvJ6Ms04OiDRdkpmK2Du25ZTj6kvavPelDOGl44LJt-2n7EHk/s320/Stender+table+5%253A16.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Grey washed finish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexUH8F2aGgkmjfOBJMBADa7BcItaBYDq2aErtmcgDGzpE5JkbGPVq3qloHc9jt1Q_Q0TbQQk2WSl-EGy_ZW1B5yoAzA8wC-nEkOjAkGI97PH1EaJloA5kXdHChE-QR4I-qWkB9ijXegge/s1600/Finished+piece+in+living+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexUH8F2aGgkmjfOBJMBADa7BcItaBYDq2aErtmcgDGzpE5JkbGPVq3qloHc9jt1Q_Q0TbQQk2WSl-EGy_ZW1B5yoAzA8wC-nEkOjAkGI97PH1EaJloA5kXdHChE-QR4I-qWkB9ijXegge/s320/Finished+piece+in+living+room.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The tone of the table blends nicely with the interior decor.</div>
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Well friends, that is my process for converting a mud covered log into a great side or coffee table. All the above steps are important when you have that right piece of "Nature's Wonders." I have found this process to be very fun and satisfying in my "Life's Journey." AND the best of all, I can share my work with friends. </div>
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LIFE IS GOOD. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT.</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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www.naturalcreations.me</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-67941474891005886972016-06-21T08:42:00.001-07:002016-06-21T08:42:13.001-07:00How to Select a Log for a Stump Table - Part IINow you have decided on the type and use for your stump table. The next step is to decide on the type of wood.<br />
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Fortunately Nature has provided us with 100s of species of wood. From exotic Amazon woods to the abundant oaks, maples and elms of America. One will never run out of options. The limiting factors are the wood's location, rareness and cost. It is cheap to find a stump in your neighborhood, but if you want a beautiful piece from Africa, the cost will be high. Rather than looking for a specific species, you can simply start with an interesting piece of wood or stump you find. The key is to keep your mind open for all possible uses of a piece of wood. I started my stump table making by going to a local landscape dump. I noticed a pine log that was all dried and a nice size - I had noticed stump tables in designer magazines and thought it would be fun to try and create one. I went home, picked up my chain saw, went back to the dump and cut a couple of logs, took them to my garage workshop, and a hobby/business was formed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a5F9ocHoY-SXBd5NSO5sb7VB8clCyPfatevmC6nYtD-jzVwYYDXL9N-Een1OejnS0V5F5-AFw0dhChDaU_8ZsQdSIRXmZ2FqJc56AJFdVN7boz4XR2LixpsEiXAUqrIehjF8gsInHM5e/s1600/Original+Pine+tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a5F9ocHoY-SXBd5NSO5sb7VB8clCyPfatevmC6nYtD-jzVwYYDXL9N-Een1OejnS0V5F5-AFw0dhChDaU_8ZsQdSIRXmZ2FqJc56AJFdVN7boz4XR2LixpsEiXAUqrIehjF8gsInHM5e/s320/Original+Pine+tables.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first stump tables</div>
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I will assume exotic woods are out and you want to keep the cost and availability reasonable. This will mean finding a local piece that will make a good table. Stumps can be unique in their configuration which results in a true one of a kind piece, or they can be uniform in shape - round, square, etc. The unique stumps will have unusual shapes, voids from fungus or rot, or be tree base roots. I have found soft woods are easier to work that hard woods like oak. There always seems to be a lot of sawing and sanding, so the softer the better. One thing about pine - the sap never stops running and is very messy.<br />
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OK, so where do you find a great log for a stump table? Again, one needs to keep their mind open for possibilities - think "yes, that would make a great table." I have found that many diamonds are hid in an ugly, mud covered log. Early on, I was lucky enough to find a relatively local saw mill. Not a big one, but something that is run by locals, out in the woods. Sure, New York and Chicago do not have a lot of "local mills." But their are mills a few hours drive away, in the woods someplace. Often these mills will have scraps and remnants from large logs, that can be reclaimed into tables. But remember, these might look like "scraps" to you, but they are the assets of the mill. You should be paying for these rough pieces.<br />
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Where else could you look for rough stumps? Whenever there is a bad storm, trees are blown down, especially those with a shallow root system. Go out after the storm and find a tree expert who is cleaning up the damage and buy one from them. They will love not to have to haul it away. How about your back yard? Are you planning to take down that old maple? Maybe a true treasure. Contact local tree experts to keep their eyes open for possibilities. Offer them a decent price so they will keep you in mind. Check out your local city. They are always clearing out some area which might have great stump potential.<br />
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A final word of advice - never pass up a possibility. Some of my best work started out as ugly little ducklings.<br />
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Rough cypress from the mill. Reclaimed from rivers.</div>
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Me and 2 of the 4 finished pieces.</div>
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The 3rd of the 4 finished pieces.</div>
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The 4th of the 4 finished pieces.</div>
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Have fun creating diamonds out of Mother Nature's wonders. It can be a true labor of love, creating one of a kind stump tables. However, never feel it could be a good money maker - IT ISN'T - trust me. It is just fun. Fortunately, I am retired and can afford to work my little creativity in this way. </div>
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Have fun. Remember: we are only here for a brief visit, so enjoy every moment.</div>
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Smell Mother Nature's roses whenever you have a chance.</div>
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ENJOY</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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www,naturalcreations.me</div>
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(Look for Part III - Finishing)</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-79994416893097335902016-06-14T08:51:00.002-07:002016-06-14T08:51:19.672-07:00How to Select a Log for a Stump TableOK, now you would like to make a stump table. You love the natural look of the wood, and it would fit nicely into your interior design plans. But, where to start? You could buy one ready made, or have the fun to create your own. This blog addresses making your own.<br />
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First off, you need to decide what type of stump table you want. It can be a side table, located beside a couch or chair. These are normally around 24" high, depending on the adjoining furniture. The diameter can be 12-15", again depending on its use. Do you want a glass top? This often depends on the amount of wood void on the top surface.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPj2jHU7RO1GUE9BsxBrJW9Yf4sawhkN9EHS_gMCbDI7ff53IYrLHtg_2BvSRfwHbgKomkdc1pbNdaDRCl0hPPLkKV3OlBWraLuT2CYE_hvOGjWE4zZRWW9DmhbQ1RA3vD-35KmkoFdBj/s1600/New+square+5%253A14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPj2jHU7RO1GUE9BsxBrJW9Yf4sawhkN9EHS_gMCbDI7ff53IYrLHtg_2BvSRfwHbgKomkdc1pbNdaDRCl0hPPLkKV3OlBWraLuT2CYE_hvOGjWE4zZRWW9DmhbQ1RA3vD-35KmkoFdBj/s320/New+square+5%253A14.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Dark finish cypress side table.</div>
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Natural finish cypress side tables.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNutdrdFuBAlO1MtWD_KXCKXFVLxZHWH2XpFGVE0I45h0Ni2233duDkB4maBd3Q6K1H2IGfysreDadt24zk8WIIH5iGN1EjlWdMZCsIXzTRxemcnDuGlcFhyphenhyphenzSlAxcZEJ3TjxRtztDsvI8/s1600/Grey+Tone+side+tables+10%253A2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNutdrdFuBAlO1MtWD_KXCKXFVLxZHWH2XpFGVE0I45h0Ni2233duDkB4maBd3Q6K1H2IGfysreDadt24zk8WIIH5iGN1EjlWdMZCsIXzTRxemcnDuGlcFhyphenhyphenzSlAxcZEJ3TjxRtztDsvI8/s320/Grey+Tone+side+tables+10%253A2014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grey tone cypress side tables.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs10KulQ__w5NATUPgY8SGuSQcMtytxpc17dfydK-G8dozUjHUc3ycTjzhpejYWXhLwKb0iu6582TIxc9NUAkEhoXQqaMLA3tvwl9I9Xx6YquduV2mTTPLHxsZ9IU4j7Rke3bqjxBNV12/s1600/Lisa+Irregular1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs10KulQ__w5NATUPgY8SGuSQcMtytxpc17dfydK-G8dozUjHUc3ycTjzhpejYWXhLwKb0iu6582TIxc9NUAkEhoXQqaMLA3tvwl9I9Xx6YquduV2mTTPLHxsZ9IU4j7Rke3bqjxBNV12/s320/Lisa+Irregular1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Natural finish cypress side table, original exterior.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYIF3Z3PvCAUubg0SywVAkaIektXRX1t9qDG0IRJ0tmlEZnSWtrwdF4ZO66ueIOLW8kVygGIAHB8M0jGI9n5i6Ho6r0FyROh0lyUFtkYd0eb59cq0zq9c7146KilstJUsrc2qp0O5hPww/s1600/Finished+piece+in+living+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYIF3Z3PvCAUubg0SywVAkaIektXRX1t9qDG0IRJ0tmlEZnSWtrwdF4ZO66ueIOLW8kVygGIAHB8M0jGI9n5i6Ho6r0FyROh0lyUFtkYd0eb59cq0zq9c7146KilstJUsrc2qp0O5hPww/s320/Finished+piece+in+living+room.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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sinker cypress side table in grey tone. 24" high.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwncEj-05qZrlFDjEVpkIa9jFrWiBCxKkLJr4P2SnfZ2HWOfLDm_cyQyi8DeGOHF59TitdAhMkuzrm0BrMfuEMsvO0Ap-YtC1qSCUuNdHmwszesjfPrMRlwL2kJu8tPJSJFDNuIPyviusu/s1600/Gabby+and+2+stumps-2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwncEj-05qZrlFDjEVpkIa9jFrWiBCxKkLJr4P2SnfZ2HWOfLDm_cyQyi8DeGOHF59TitdAhMkuzrm0BrMfuEMsvO0Ap-YtC1qSCUuNdHmwszesjfPrMRlwL2kJu8tPJSJFDNuIPyviusu/s320/Gabby+and+2+stumps-2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gabby with 24" sinker cypress side tables. Natural log.</div>
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The other type of stump table is the coffee table. These logs are generally larger, due to their use as a major table in the room. The height is around 17"+, plus a glass top. The diameter is a minimum of 15-18". The bigger the area, the bigger the log. Be careful, once the stumps get over 15", they are heavy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OZesKspa_Qyje0fkNc2xeUL0WhXzmmjbH1UpHA6EC5P4afg3XDGcddlnwsx0f_D5eo485vA2L7ttxpQrNLiup77Vv3Ha0YwR5rMid8gxbfgPvLpratDLrG0MLKb4_AxXyTrarKmZ5fA9/s1600/Burgers+2+tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OZesKspa_Qyje0fkNc2xeUL0WhXzmmjbH1UpHA6EC5P4afg3XDGcddlnwsx0f_D5eo485vA2L7ttxpQrNLiup77Vv3Ha0YwR5rMid8gxbfgPvLpratDLrG0MLKb4_AxXyTrarKmZ5fA9/s320/Burgers+2+tables.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sinker cypress dual coffee table - 24" high.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbaQphsM8-qKkyv-Rcy_bMHewq1WU2u8Rd12Da5ws8apYOnBJbdJK737PwWomtrb8IEeUF40LdCJPE2iKssuprztG5qrJOTQTLggddA4IwzFCfFabMp4WKbfIbW0ZeNj_eZhLri42bQlt/s1600/Pecky+4piece+in+LRM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbaQphsM8-qKkyv-Rcy_bMHewq1WU2u8Rd12Da5ws8apYOnBJbdJK737PwWomtrb8IEeUF40LdCJPE2iKssuprztG5qrJOTQTLggddA4IwzFCfFabMp4WKbfIbW0ZeNj_eZhLri42bQlt/s1600/Pecky+4piece+in+LRM.JPG" /></a></div>
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Pecky cypress coffee table with natural finish. 20" high.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS4dUDf1m__THmU35Qjd085CUS81_9oE-Yz7mY13PPCkD1mh8BPbBcS70toHPrsudXD1PbeRW4MDeKclTaswlQFxJTiBKczQm7OathFFxfPwJfuknfvv6R2z22fLEP9e6HVxtTf57o2-r/s1600/Two+piece+early+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS4dUDf1m__THmU35Qjd085CUS81_9oE-Yz7mY13PPCkD1mh8BPbBcS70toHPrsudXD1PbeRW4MDeKclTaswlQFxJTiBKczQm7OathFFxfPwJfuknfvv6R2z22fLEP9e6HVxtTf57o2-r/s320/Two+piece+early+table.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sinker cypress coffee table. 1/2" glass added. 16" high.</div>
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You have now decided on what type of table you want and its approximate dimensions. The next stage is to decide on the type of wood you want, its configuration, any natural uniqueness, and its natural colors.<br />
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This stage will be covered in my next blog. Sorry, I go on Island Time - no deadlines. Whenever it happens it happens. Enjoy and see you next time. Take care and thanks for joining me.<br />
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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In the Great Florida Panhandle</div>
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Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-9724459750210763712016-06-05T09:15:00.002-07:002016-06-05T09:15:25.725-07:00How to Determine the Age of a TreeHow does one determine the age of a tree? The easiest way is to count the life rings in a log. Each ring is a year life of the tree. Of course, it is impossible to do if the tree is standing and alive. One needs to wait until the tree is harvested, then examine the end cut of the tree base log. A tree's life ring determines the age. The ring is like a wood grain around the inner circumference of the log.<br />
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Original growth trees, ones that have not been replanted by man, often have 20 +/ rings per inch of the diameter. These trees can be 100s of years old. Here is an end cut of a reclaimed sinker cypress log. There are over 400 life rings on the piece. It was harvested in the late 1800s and laid at the bottom of a FL river until the 2000s. This makes this piece over 500 years old, around the time Columbus discovered America. Any logs this age are called "a Columbus" by the saw mill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmBGbRucGc1kvyiT3TUagrTfbxcMcFf2TpUG4DKRp1TrADYL5TjkyhJOCuh3SFuOXF1lUY_ed3pcry3GFPiWf_jFXBi6pRy9YkRlQRDImM0J66Baw8S3V7ICbJQsIs_GUiV9fOwfJqWNS/s1600/Large+round.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmBGbRucGc1kvyiT3TUagrTfbxcMcFf2TpUG4DKRp1TrADYL5TjkyhJOCuh3SFuOXF1lUY_ed3pcry3GFPiWf_jFXBi6pRy9YkRlQRDImM0J66Baw8S3V7ICbJQsIs_GUiV9fOwfJqWNS/s320/Large+round.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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New growth trees are often fast grown commercially or have been privately planted as landscape elements. These can have only 3-5 life rings per inch of the diameter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweAIVcZYVwjGgA81spxgky9DBLpd8P2WXhaVdrpkzXjYPsm6HTRiAVyoiMfTRz852KQoKlMESnd-IhbwdoJoodDNXj7rUbYVPfpcWpUsTOOFNoZ0Qp3IOCyQNztTgi-G9j_x2GexuZFPI/s1600/Pine+life+ring1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweAIVcZYVwjGgA81spxgky9DBLpd8P2WXhaVdrpkzXjYPsm6HTRiAVyoiMfTRz852KQoKlMESnd-IhbwdoJoodDNXj7rUbYVPfpcWpUsTOOFNoZ0Qp3IOCyQNztTgi-G9j_x2GexuZFPI/s320/Pine+life+ring1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Growing conditions can also be shown by the tree rings. Drought years will result in tight, close rings. Abundant moisture will result in wider spaced rings. A forest burn will show as a black ring, if the tree lives. In an old reclaimed log piece, it is interesting to locate various events in history, i.e. the Age of the Renaissance, American revolution, War of 1812, WWI, etc.<br />
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Nature is indeed a wondrous place to enjoy.</div>
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Smell the Roses and have a great life.</div>
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John Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-56698760528236121182016-05-01T08:51:00.001-07:002016-05-01T08:51:46.764-07:00What Is Creativity??Recently, I got into some discussions about "What is Creativity." My first reaction was to think about people in the artistic fields - writers, musicians, artists, sculptors. What is the secret behind their "creativity"? Are they born with creative genes, is it their environment, or is it self generated. Good question. Maybe God said "you will be creative and you will not".<br />
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I will see an abstract painting and say to myself, I can do this. Looks like something a 4th grader did. Then I try. Wrong. It is the creative genesis of the artist who created it. Same way with a trying to write a short story, sculpt, etc.<br />
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Then the question is: is creativity limited to only the art fields? I don't believe it is. What about the entrepreneur who starts a company - isn't this Creativity? What about the executive that conceives an innovative marketing strategy for their company - Creativity? Or the doctor who comes up with a new operation procedure - Creativity? I feel everyone can be creative in their own way, IF they let themselves. IF they take off the mental blinders off.<br />
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I feel creativity must come from the gut. Feel a passion for something. DO IT. Unfortunately, many people tell themselves, I am not creative - I can't do this. Why not try? Who cares if people say this is stupid, you are wasting your time. I find creative people in all fields have thick skin. On the one hand, they often feel their efforts and works aren't good enough and they are not good enough. Then, with a passion, the next day they are up and running - creating a new painting, a new necklace, a new real estate development plan.<br />
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OK then, "What is Creativity?" It is the ability to open up one's mind totally, tell one's self "let's have fun and come up with something new and I don't care what anyone thinks and says." Wake up in the middle of the night and say "YES" I can do this. Have the passion to never stop.<br />
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ENJOY LIFE. WE ARE ONLY HERE FOR A VISIT.</div>
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John Gabrielson</div>
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www.naturalcreations.me</div>
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Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-80297233140661981502015-11-09T14:48:00.000-08:002015-11-09T14:48:25.716-08:00Great New Books on CreativityHi,<br />
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I keep thinking about What is Creativity!! Am I creative or just doing dumb things? How do I get unstuck when I am trying to create something, whether it is one of my wood pieces or writing something? Am I unique or do others have the same issues on creativity? Once I make something, how do I let people know about it without being a braggart?<br />
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Well, I have found some answers to these questions. I found two excellent and fun books on creativity. Both by Austin Kleon, an off the wall writer and lecturer. I like pictures when I read, maybe my infant mentality is coming out, but that's fine. These books can be read quickly and I feel have a lot of meat for the writer, artist, jeweler, and anyone in or wanting to be in the creative fields.<br />
Bought both on Amazon.<br />
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STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYk5MVxS8rFJPQNP4AdLTwd7LRgKkr7Z1ikpSSK4lxEA7ejyTReKi4bs0IA9jIrq0p1I5WvBZP0zwEnicwCYDzuBwrKOEhsx_JSqWxBpE8g-_EGQWPncpwdDtPeb61EVm_HQP6Z2ZYB-3/s1600/Steal+Like+an+Artist+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYk5MVxS8rFJPQNP4AdLTwd7LRgKkr7Z1ikpSSK4lxEA7ejyTReKi4bs0IA9jIrq0p1I5WvBZP0zwEnicwCYDzuBwrKOEhsx_JSqWxBpE8g-_EGQWPncpwdDtPeb61EVm_HQP6Z2ZYB-3/s320/Steal+Like+an+Artist+book.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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AND<br />
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SHOW YOUR WORK</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JWGggSzxytkT-PHiO2Aps4FRVoDTAoqRRz24U9D9abOUTgXPntq7zDVMQtZ6sWebs0Fm8HsfVG8xret3P5amMvfZUYbuaq9EyYjZCUUbienRshMVIx__Ag81fDB0HvIxCoMxI02mCOfi/s1600/Show+Your+Work+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JWGggSzxytkT-PHiO2Aps4FRVoDTAoqRRz24U9D9abOUTgXPntq7zDVMQtZ6sWebs0Fm8HsfVG8xret3P5amMvfZUYbuaq9EyYjZCUUbienRshMVIx__Ag81fDB0HvIxCoMxI02mCOfi/s320/Show+Your+Work+book.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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ENJOY</div>
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HAVE A GREAT DAY AND MAKE IT BETTER BY CREATING SOMETHING</div>
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or</div>
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HELPNG SOMEONE ELSE CREATE SOMETHING</div>
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John Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-90458447778415211172015-06-29T18:32:00.000-07:002015-06-29T18:32:13.551-07:00New Things from Gabby and Natural Creations<div style="text-align: center;">
In looking at my past blogs, I am embarrassed at how long it has been since I spent some time to write a new blog. Either I have been sick, feeling good; or I have done too much golf and fishing, unfortunately not enough; or I have been real lazy - BINGO. I have tried to keep involved with creating new stuff, along with my old wood creations. I still love the old, but I have a tendency to get bored and need to try new things. Well, here are some of my new "adventures."</div>
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I had some excess pieces of cypress and black walnut. Rather than throwing them away, I said let's try frames. How to do this - bring up uTube tutorials and get advice from my carpenter son Eric. He made me a frame gig and here is what came out of it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry6bLRIl_FpcTghmMP92M6BpVK_rLMdeHBl7L7o6mnwba0WAcRfLbBvqaLlijA5ePvlwC8XdT70wYicN24vIOzzrohp9t3hMb3-t9fzCxMEET8AKTQ_BqLTV9Cjz_9fgFnlfVFpKcJWwU/s1600/Frames+diffent+9%253A2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry6bLRIl_FpcTghmMP92M6BpVK_rLMdeHBl7L7o6mnwba0WAcRfLbBvqaLlijA5ePvlwC8XdT70wYicN24vIOzzrohp9t3hMb3-t9fzCxMEET8AKTQ_BqLTV9Cjz_9fgFnlfVFpKcJWwU/s320/Frames+diffent+9%253A2014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cypress and reclaimed frames</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3itRiWoY2RU-Wm6OZ0Sgn-Vn8GLVvH-uWlbKSf9u63rOaKYt9JnasUfqQ1JT67_YCL6KkFEw_TmHdDTmqvYZxoHphBjfcU2rodxadOvKcfP5JqhhQ_3uHn5JCJBopWX2nmPvreUICPO6K/s1600/Frme+with+Marks+Bird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3itRiWoY2RU-Wm6OZ0Sgn-Vn8GLVvH-uWlbKSf9u63rOaKYt9JnasUfqQ1JT67_YCL6KkFEw_TmHdDTmqvYZxoHphBjfcU2rodxadOvKcfP5JqhhQ_3uHn5JCJBopWX2nmPvreUICPO6K/s320/Frme+with+Marks+Bird.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Black walnut frame for Mark's water color</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu8hqkmBLv4iOT8b9Q43im5HRjNB5MhynR2153podPXVbHELFouYhqKJM3qI8PdJSvcDfbRlMI1MM5IQemWvSCzAvfp_umKy_3CQ0QRgfH1NX6nfunw3tXjqFvUKy_Hpu8B4BR4mhPv5l/s1600/Frame+of+pheasant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu8hqkmBLv4iOT8b9Q43im5HRjNB5MhynR2153podPXVbHELFouYhqKJM3qI8PdJSvcDfbRlMI1MM5IQemWvSCzAvfp_umKy_3CQ0QRgfH1NX6nfunw3tXjqFvUKy_Hpu8B4BR4mhPv5l/s320/Frame+of+pheasant.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pecky cypress frame for Gary's oil painting</div>
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Cypress and black walnut frames.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcr7zpDDFkF1O-QaX5MsOYvckB4cqWzoddMX8ts86LQAZtXU_tu9z0ZQmrdM6BB93OvbDF38-PbSZbB26tp3b2VtcyIabibH-NK2gk_ZQTEal21z5QUiHdbvNwVN92mjO6k6pngtDmUWd/s1600/Marks+Rooster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcr7zpDDFkF1O-QaX5MsOYvckB4cqWzoddMX8ts86LQAZtXU_tu9z0ZQmrdM6BB93OvbDF38-PbSZbB26tp3b2VtcyIabibH-NK2gk_ZQTEal21z5QUiHdbvNwVN92mjO6k6pngtDmUWd/s320/Marks+Rooster.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cypress frame for Mark's rooster water color. Against a pecky cypress kitchen backsplash</div>
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Now that I had a garage full of frames, that fortunately got sold off, what could we conjure up next? Summer of 2014 when in MN, I was doing crafts with my granddaughter Sophia and grandson Nick. Sia has a rock tumbler and Nick suggested we tumble broken glass and make something. Well, we started breaking heavy glass obtained from friends and rummage sales and putting them in the rock tumbler. The result was a surprise. The broken edges were smooth and could definitely be made into something. Then I left for Florida and the kids to school. I showed this glass to my creative Destin buddy Mark. We bought a large rock tumbler and started tumbling broken liquor bottle glass for longer periods. BINGO again. They turned into replicas of etched sea glass. Now we have a bunch of Miramar faux sea glass. What to do? Let's go into the jewelry business. Bring up uTube again. Then I had my good artist friend Velda paint Chinese life symbols on the sea glass. I made the silver connections and bought some chain from China. BINGO - Sea Glass necklaces. </div>
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Mark and Gabby with "high production" rock tumbler</div>
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New batch of Miramar Sea Glass</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WfI-BtfuWIZL70AZj8bX_lHq4o2qKuNrF38cqvXlmZg9T3N-5NA9tWy74wAJz5f71Q4bpnSguvzaCX8XrOD1PB03XliPQ1xS0YJ7uo7m-bhxftul_opHctE5Wx1wtjz-vGEuy7k3d5cl/s1600/Annie%2527sJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WfI-BtfuWIZL70AZj8bX_lHq4o2qKuNrF38cqvXlmZg9T3N-5NA9tWy74wAJz5f71Q4bpnSguvzaCX8XrOD1PB03XliPQ1xS0YJ7uo7m-bhxftul_opHctE5Wx1wtjz-vGEuy7k3d5cl/s1600/Annie%2527sJPG.JPG" /></a></div>
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Sea glass necklaces made for a friend's family with FRIENDSHIP symbol</div>
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Various necklace colors with Chinese life symbols and silver chain</div>
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Painted sea glass ready for silver chains</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkCzbseCr5h8l-wdD8J0d1GdwiIqpHdA7-nLQ_SrrwjNuwJPGuqF6caTBe1H5iwyB5OHSSSFKDBBH12A2DukeSiSpSScKzua-8lPFW-R50cjZNJnc74E8dzk0fH0O2VZCkRMAhIJ2rNrF/s1600/silver+sea+glass+hookJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkCzbseCr5h8l-wdD8J0d1GdwiIqpHdA7-nLQ_SrrwjNuwJPGuqF6caTBe1H5iwyB5OHSSSFKDBBH12A2DukeSiSpSScKzua-8lPFW-R50cjZNJnc74E8dzk0fH0O2VZCkRMAhIJ2rNrF/s320/silver+sea+glass+hookJPG.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Miramar sea glass, hand made silver connector, symbol of LOVE.</div>
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OK, now with a garage full of frames and sea glass, there is still room for something else before getting back into the wood creations. The doc said I needed a hip replacement before lifting more cypress. I know - big woosy. So, back to a little jewelry making. Silk ribbon is not too heavy to lift. A friend showed me some dyed silk ribbon she bought in Maui for necklaces. I love the colors and casualness of using them as a necklace cord or bracelet wrap. So, I picked up some silver beads, went onto uTube again, and the result is dyed silk ribbon wrap bracelets with silver beads. What a fun thing and the ribbons come in many colors. Can even use thinner Christmas wrapping ribbon - you know the stuff sitting in that box in the attic from previous Christmases that never got used.</div>
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Different color hand dyed silk ribbons</div>
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Silk ribbon necklace with sea glass pendant</div>
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Leather wrap bracelet</div>
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Multi colored silk ribbon wrap bracelet with silver beads</div>
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Multi color silk ribbon wrap bracelet with silver beads.</div>
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OK, I did do a little cypress work, making some tables and these lazy susans. </div>
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Me and a couple of 16" lazy susans</div>
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Pecky cypress lazy susans - 14" diameter with turntable.</div>
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So, as you can see, I have somehow kept busy creating stuff. I have found it to be very interesting - once a person starts being creative with the blinders off, real new possibilities seem to pop up. Not all are realistic or sane,but the creative juices are flowing. Just around the corner might be a new idea and adventure. Go for it.</div>
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Have fun creating. Never say NO it can't be done. If Edison believed this, we would still be using candles.</div>
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"When I meet a dreamer with calluses, I try to sit up and listen."</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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johngabrielson5@gmail.com</div>
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Natural Creations.</div>
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www.naturalcreations.me</div>
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612-816-5378</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-21223477688215511432013-12-28T12:29:00.000-08:002013-12-28T12:29:02.052-08:00Sinker Cypress: Nature's Underwater TreasureI have been asked by many people: "what is sinker cypress." Well, let me take a moment and explain all about sinker cypress and the process of turning it into beautiful wood for the home and business.<br />
Sinker cypress, sometimes called deadhead cypress, is exactly what the word says - it is cypress logs that have sunk in rivers and bayous. During the mid to late 1800s, much of northern Florida was covered with cypress forests growing in swamps and bayous. Due to the growth of the country, there was a great demand for cypress for building. Enter the lumber barons. Much of this old growth cypress was harvested and shipped to saw mills for processing into lumber. The best way to transport the logs to the mill was by water - creeks and rivers. The logs were rafted together for efficient floating. Along the way to the mill, some logs became waterlogged and sank to the bottom. Where they have remained until the past 30 years, when the law changed and limited permits were issued to reclaim the logs.<br />
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Transporting the cypress logs to the mill - 1800s. Things certainly have changed.<br />
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The reclaiming of the sunken logs from the rivers created a niche business for those enterprising individuals daring to take the risks to recover the logs. In addition to having zero visibility, these men could encounter many types of "critters" while submerged. Not like diving in the Caribbean. </div>
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Once the logs were discovered and brought to the surface, they were floated to local saw mills specializing in converting sinker cypress to useable lumber. The logs were sold to the mills and the process of conversion began. Bruner Lumber Company in northern Florida is a saw mill specializing in old growth cypress and pine.</div>
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Cypress logs at the river haul out. Doubles as an alligator walkway up to solid ground.</div>
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Cypress logs recently reclaimed from the river. Notice the end cut. It was done by hand with axes, prior to power saws. These lumbermen were tough men. And they had no Deep Woods Off for the swamps.</div>
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Cypress logs stacked for drying, prior to milling. No this isn't one of the lumbermen, it's my friend Mark "Gator" Nesbit. He is tough however.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4_oAtf0niPvVoQT_8s1JiQZ9jG5wYk5cGKRyUTvz26DTgGoripk8aPdErAlBqCL51zr5TP7B5jvvW0GPtfpBdEaGOfH-ozbASgax4OjojlhwigKfpa9RgaTvG-5EkkvbROZvpjB23vJW/s1600/Mark+and+logs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4_oAtf0niPvVoQT_8s1JiQZ9jG5wYk5cGKRyUTvz26DTgGoripk8aPdErAlBqCL51zr5TP7B5jvvW0GPtfpBdEaGOfH-ozbASgax4OjojlhwigKfpa9RgaTvG-5EkkvbROZvpjB23vJW/s320/Mark+and+logs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bruner Lumber Company. This excellent northern Florida saw mill specializes in creating beautiful, old growth cypress and pine lumber products for homes throughout the country. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtmd9u0cmQOM6QJhPqLo9HpLtLJmn1dW1xMqLcvcg291B_a773r9CAlo0AQSuJphQpkfNdeNZ6pMBS_BG1YPUuPYGixVf0afuCeigVFciaxB8jqTLJQJi6NhwPsCiCXrOovvKT91W9G6m/s1600/Bruner+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtmd9u0cmQOM6QJhPqLo9HpLtLJmn1dW1xMqLcvcg291B_a773r9CAlo0AQSuJphQpkfNdeNZ6pMBS_BG1YPUuPYGixVf0afuCeigVFciaxB8jqTLJQJi6NhwPsCiCXrOovvKT91W9G6m/s320/Bruner+sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once the logs have been through a partial drying process, they are milled into beautiful cypress flooring, paneling, beams, and large table tops. </div>
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Cypress flooring and beams ready for the market.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y-PVflP8kJJo2sa3vJ74TK6YyoU2u4MBJQWZCXu9meFkAC6s3fIF4x-xppQaTJqQlFzF8C5pBtZCrsfb2u3qpq1_I2n0XJmnmNCgG3DS3e6U5NTHutSw6WERqYkK-PXFNbIGmAcJB17v/s1600/Saw+mill+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y-PVflP8kJJo2sa3vJ74TK6YyoU2u4MBJQWZCXu9meFkAC6s3fIF4x-xppQaTJqQlFzF8C5pBtZCrsfb2u3qpq1_I2n0XJmnmNCgG3DS3e6U5NTHutSw6WERqYkK-PXFNbIGmAcJB17v/s320/Saw+mill+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Saw mill yard with logs ready for milling. Gets a little muddy after a good rain. No place for Gucci loafers.</div>
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Then where do I come in? Well, I buy rough unusable cypress pieces from my friends at Bruner. I try and visualize how a particular wood chunk can be transformed into a beautiful usable item for the home or business. Once at my workshop, the sizing, sawing, sanding and finishing takes place. This is the fun part of the process. Creating something that will enhance someones home.</div>
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Rough pieces of sinker cypress from the mill. I think I need to get a bigger car or a trailer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9-cxXd7l2SxJ1RfCYe19ZBlMrCftUL0HdxkPVQxtHWEU-r4q6rdKUB7_SubcRDYY5CdEhesDt22qVRLwvBtj8d90-QTy4jiLREq5khkrb86kC7S3vgP_EfVWaZxuqSr_X5nzdu5Vj2kw/s1600/photo-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9-cxXd7l2SxJ1RfCYe19ZBlMrCftUL0HdxkPVQxtHWEU-r4q6rdKUB7_SubcRDYY5CdEhesDt22qVRLwvBtj8d90-QTy4jiLREq5khkrb86kC7S3vgP_EfVWaZxuqSr_X5nzdu5Vj2kw/s320/photo-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then after a few (a lot) of hours, this is the result. Magic, when you have beautiful wood to start with. These pieces are all sinker cypress from large reclaimed logs. Most of the logs are over 300 years old.</div>
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Have a great day and a Happy and Healthy 2014</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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johngabrielson5@gmail.com</div>
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Miramar Beach, Florida</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-52542072798773002642013-09-12T19:24:00.000-07:002013-09-13T07:09:25.523-07:00Recycling Crafts with Grand KidsI love doing craft projects with my five grandchildren. It is creative, fun, and gives me a chance to spend quality time with each of them. I find it amazing what creativity they come up with if one just gives them a raw piece of wood, metal, a rock, and simply ask the question "now what would you do with this"? You know, we adults could learn a lot from this process.<br />
I try and use recycled items as the raw product. This summer we used old silver plated spoons, left over pine from a saw mill, blocks of cedar from Eric's remodeling, tree branches, rocks, scrap cypress from Florida. Why buy new things, when with a little creativity and an open mind, wonders can be invented from existing "stuff."And the best thing - you are working with your loving grandchildren on a pretty equal basis. Here is our Minnesota summer creativity with Eric and Jenn's three kids: Nick, Sophia and Noah.<br />
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Last spring while in Atlanta for an Antique Market, I showed my granddaughter Bianca a photo of a pile of old spoons for sale in an antique fair. She said, Ompa (that's me) why don't you make me a spoon ring. Now, what is a spoon ring? You can't turn down your kids, so I said OK. Went onto YouTube and learned how to make spoon rings and here are the results. Made some for B and Sophia in Florida. Then Sophia and I made these 8 rings in MN for the granddaughters on The Sween Floater Houseboat Trip.<br />
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Pile of flatware for sale at Scott's Antique Market</div>
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Finished spoon rings</div>
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Nick then came up with an idea for taking a block of cedar and drilling holes in each side, going all the way thru. Who knows what the end use would be at first, but we went ahead with a scrap block, drilled the holes and finished it. Nick came up with the idea to string small battery powered holiday lights through the holes and hang it from the ceiling. We call it the Disco Cube. Great idea. Then Sophia wanted one so we made one together and painted it to match her room colors. We added a frame for her recent painting. I can't wait to see the installed lights, hanging from the ceiling.<br />
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Nick and his Disco Cube</div>
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Sophia operating the drill press.</div>
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Sophia with the finished Disco Cube and a frame.</div>
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Then Noah, who takes after his Dad in building, made "Noah's Wood Town" out of scrap pieces from Eric's woodworking. It is amazing the creativity that comes from using imagination and a lot of glue.<br />
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Then, what is a fun way to display photos, art work, and jewelry? Well, how about a "photo board." Off to a local saw mill we went and bought some larger pine slabs with live edges. They looked terrible to begin with, but with a little elbow grease by all of us, and some clips from Office Depot, they turned out great. All three kids got involved with making their own board. Noah's photo never made it, but he did make one.<br />
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Nick's Board - needs more photos.</div>
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Sophia's Board - also needs more stuff.</div>
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Now here is our future weapons inventor. Nick took some scrap wood, tree branches, tape and rubber bands to make this cross bow with a tree branch arrow. It really worked.</div>
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Watch our, here comes Ninja Nick.</div>
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I brought up a frame making jig and some pecky cypress scrapes from my Florida workshop. For Sophia's frame, we found some old white oak at the local saw mill. Her frame is shown above.<br />
The below frame was made as an experiment. I showed it to an artist friend, Gary Thorp, who liked it and said he might have a painting to match the size. The result: a great art piece.<br />
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I find it amazing when one opens up their mind, take off the blinders, eliminate the "can't do's', what creativity can result. Especially when using recycled and reclaimed materials. When you combine this with child enthusiasm, wonders and love result.<br />
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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Miramar Beach, Florida</div>
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612-816-5378<br />
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"Being creative is not a hobby, it is a way of life."</div>
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"Around each corner lies a new adventure."</div>
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-76420702624553199702013-05-13T08:16:00.000-07:002013-05-13T08:16:27.979-07:00How About Sculptures from Reclaimed TreasuresWhat I really have fun doing is to try and create unique sculptures from reclaimed wood. To me this is an interesting challenge, looking at a piece of cypress that has been eaten away hundreds of years ago by fungus and trying to figure out what it could look like finished. I now have an appreciation for what sculptors go through in their creation process. No, I am not a sculptor, but it is fun going through the process. All of my work shown here is deadhead cypress which I obtained from my friends at Bruner Lumber.<br />
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This is the end of a pecky cypress log, sliced to 2 inches and very rough.</div>
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And here is the finished sculpture, with a metal base from my friend Mack.</div>
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These were quite the visual challenge.<br />
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The left one was turned into a lazy susan.<br />
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The right one made into a large appetizer platter. Sure these are not sculptures, but then the brain went this way instead.<br />
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Back to cypress sculptures:<br />
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This cypress piece I found half buried. After the first power wash, it was ready for sanding.<br />
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And here is the final 60" sculpture with a metal base.<br />
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Pecky cypress round sculpture #1</div>
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Pecky cypress round sculpture #2<br />
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Pecky cypress round sculpture #3<br />
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Pecky cypress round sculpture #4<br />
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40" rectangular pecky cypress sculpture #5<br />
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And here they are, all dressed and ready for the ball.<br />
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When I started doing sculptures, I found that I needed to have an artistic metal person to work with for my bases and other metal needs. Luckily I found Mack Corley who runs Mack Metal Art in Panama City. He did the above bases, a real boring and simple job for an artist like Mack, who does great metal art work for houses - gates, railings, wall mounts, table bases, etc.<br />
Here is my friend Mack with an idea for a plant bracket and table bases in his truck.<br />
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And finally, here is the latest cypress sculpture from the end piece of a pecky log. This one is 4" thick and I refer to is as the "boss hog." I reclaimed this from the bottom of a stack of lumber, being used as a spacer.<br />
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Well, that's it for now. Hope you enjoyed another tour of Mother Nature's reclaimed treasures. Here's an idea: if you have an old favorite tree that has passed away and would like to keep some of it as a memory, why not have your local tree man cut some to make a table top, stump table, stool, or a sculpture. Then it can live forever.<br />
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Remember: "Around each corner lies a new adventure."<br />
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson<br />
Natural Creations<br />
Miramar Beach, Florida<br />
johngabrielson5@gmail.com<br />
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<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-87840208262363050372013-05-06T13:55:00.000-07:002013-05-08T09:32:55.586-07:00"Around Each Corner Lies a New Adventure"I have been talking about creating unique products from reclaimed wood in previous blogs. Let me take a moment and digress into other types of recycling things into useful and maybe not so useful products. Rather than just throwing an item into a dumpster, often I will look at it and say "what other use can be made of this thing." It might end up in the dumpster anyway, but sometimes the creative juices flow and bingo, a new "something" is born. However, it still might end up in the dumpster. I have to admit I learned this from my daughter Lisa. While living in Italy, she would pick up old furniture and stuff in many places. Then take it home and create something neat. Then when she moved to America, she did the same thing, along with flea markets and garage sales. I started my "recycle" career by working with her on some of the stuff to create saleable items. Thanks Lisa for the training.<br />
So, here I go with some good and not so good recycled things to share with you.<br />
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Mark and I created drink coasters. I found and cut the logs and he painted them. Sold a few and gave many away as gifts.</div>
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Then while at Jim's and Norm's cabins, I noticed some great birch logs. The result was a number of holiday centerpieces that Lisa sold at her antique booth in Atlanta. They don't have birch trees here in the South and they sell well.</div>
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5 candle centerpiece with white birch log.</div>
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Birch log centerpieces ready for Lisa to sell in Atlanta.</div>
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Several years ago, our South Walton beaches went thru a beach renourishment project. We normally have few shells, but with the new sand came a lot of shells. What to do? Well make something. My grandchildren and I had a great time finding the shells and making things when they visited. I found that not only can one make fun things from recycled stuff, it is also a fabulous thing to do with grandchildren. Good memories.</div>
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Shell ball with Lucine shells from South Walton beaches.</div>
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The grandkids dyed the Lucine shells and made this fun ball.<br />
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We had a lot of fun making these shell frames, then putting in photos of the trip.<br />
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A lot of poked figures came from making this Auger shell ball.<br />
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Then my friend Diana sent me a photo of cut wine bottle candles. This led to another "adventure." Recycling wine bottles by cutting them and pouring wax to create candles. Must have gone thru 100s of wine bottles before I learned the process. Fortunately, my community has a recycle dumpster for glass. I became know as the "dumpster diver." Even have a few scars where I cut myself on the doors. Here are some of the results. A lot of fun.<br />
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Cut wine bottles and soy wax candles<br />
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Large wine bottles cut on the bottom to form hurricane toppers with poured wine bottle candles inside.<br />
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Caught in the act of pouring the candles. If you look closely, you will see the empty aquarium Mark and I used to do "research" on sea creatures - too bad, they all died.<br />
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Then Mark and I read about hydro - planters. We decided to try them with recycled cut wine bottles, bamboo and air plants. He made the plants grow, I killed mine. Sold a few of these also and had fun, but then we moved on to new "adventures." Here are our Hydro Planters.<br />
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Me and the two piece planter.<br />
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Hydro planters with bamboo and air plants.<br />
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Me and Mark with our creations.<br />
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It is fun to see how new, fun things can be made out of old, recycled stuff once we open our mind. "This could be that" - "this could be that" - "this could be that."<br />
Here are some of those "thats" that came from a loose brain.<br />
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A bamboo serving tray made with a frame that Del made and bamboo harvested nearby.<br />
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After seeing small glass fragrance containers with bamboo sticks and oil, I thought this could be a seller. So ahead with a new idea. Wrong. Well, I still have a lot of them. They do keep my garage-workshop sweet smelling however.<br />
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Then Ki saw a photo of a copper penny backsplash in a magazine. The result - we have a penny backsplash along with reclaimed pecky cypress from Bruner Lumber.<br />
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Fun lamps can be made from recycled or reclaimed materials. Lucky, no electrical shocks, just a couple of cut fingers on these "creations."<br />
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One day Ki and Lisa were in a local antique store and saw this old porch post. They loved it and the colors matched our living room. "Sure" some lamps can be made, I was told. Well, can't argue with the two of them so here are the results.<br />
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Floor lamp.<br />
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Table lamp.<br />
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Then when visiting Lisa, she gave me these "finds" to create lamps. Can't turn down your daughter.<br />
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Old minnow bucket lamp. Perfect for a cabin. How many of these are sitting in old cabin garages.<br />
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And the old hollow post lamp. Thank goodness they sold, would not have wanted them in my house.<br />
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Here's a good one. When I partnered with Lisa at the Atlanta Scott's Antique Market last month, a vendor across the aisle specialized in silver furnishings of all sorts. One item that was popular was old spoons. He had 1000s of them. I showed this photo to my 15 year old granddaughter Bianca and she said "can you make me a spoon ring." Never turn done a grandchild request. So here are the results.<br />
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1000s of old spoons for sale at $1 apiece. It was a feeding frenzy. The woman in the stripped shirt asked if I was single. Said no, then she asked if any of my buddies were. Any takers?<br />
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And here are the spoon rings for Bianca and Sophia.<br />
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Had a scrap piece of cypress so made a mirror out of it. Jane sent me a photo of a reclaimed wood mirror and here we go into mirrors.<br />
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Thanks for looking at this latest blog. We had a lot of fun making all these items from reclaimed and recycled stuff. And best of all, a lot of memories came from the process. I love the saying "around each corner is a new adventure." Especially when you are rounding each of Nature's corners.<br />
Let the adventures begin.<br />
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson<br />
Natural Creations<br />
Miramar Beach, FL<br />
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612-816-5378<br />
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Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-24117829624098483102013-04-29T11:57:00.001-07:002013-05-12T19:44:28.295-07:00Creating Tables from Reclaimed CypressOnce I started making the stump tables, I thought making larger tables would be fun and might have a market. I looked around at Bruner Lumber and found some very unique pieces of deadhead cypress. Often this cypress has been partially eaten away by fungus prior to harvesting the timber 120 years ago. It cannot be milled into useable lumber, other then the pecky cypress variety. So, I started buying this reclaimed cypress and making cocktail and side tables. Some finished pieces never made to market, due to Ki and Lisa saying "I want this for my house." Now our house looks like a forest and I can sell the pieces, unless they end up as trade ins.<br />
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Here are some of my deadhead cypress tables. Enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyDLeolCtpzUAPYXk0b8DPuotr6AKyhdT12p9_R8Ytv71xEvo6PB0yrVVa7kmyyHCHre1Jlk3JA0bne6IcTYgKIhbKAFl7OBaWjWYKz7u49Fvvp5lLuURv6oeYnIWEQP4hyphenhyphenK5lrMBKC9_/s1600/Burgers+Cocktail+Table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyDLeolCtpzUAPYXk0b8DPuotr6AKyhdT12p9_R8Ytv71xEvo6PB0yrVVa7kmyyHCHre1Jlk3JA0bne6IcTYgKIhbKAFl7OBaWjWYKz7u49Fvvp5lLuURv6oeYnIWEQP4hyphenhyphenK5lrMBKC9_/s320/Burgers+Cocktail+Table.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUndlWlupXbU1fpBUnY6ezREYlidIxWDfAnW6W2zGLcHh0S8DIZGl6Lc1BMq_zju51kTLpL5J6FHDNvrWYeu0HA-uDL4IyIYB7hkCYIi87Ni6C11yRxSzdii8RB_BIte6722aMq5MDfga/s1600/Rough+duel+cypress+squares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUndlWlupXbU1fpBUnY6ezREYlidIxWDfAnW6W2zGLcHh0S8DIZGl6Lc1BMq_zju51kTLpL5J6FHDNvrWYeu0HA-uDL4IyIYB7hkCYIi87Ni6C11yRxSzdii8RB_BIte6722aMq5MDfga/s320/Rough+duel+cypress+squares.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Here are the original cypress pieces, straight from the river.<br />
And here are the finished pieces. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT325qxPomifzYb7Sp7xaWC1mJso-03UQmcffeKUWmn4RiA_VppdX8hrdVEFdVqJJo5suIzNyC5ApDz3qlvXgAYXeJTDIxmDP2HjEs6lL3iOMaIowYaFzKqFKzIG4GxN__9PLH80PefTtz/s1600/curved+duel+cypress+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT325qxPomifzYb7Sp7xaWC1mJso-03UQmcffeKUWmn4RiA_VppdX8hrdVEFdVqJJo5suIzNyC5ApDz3qlvXgAYXeJTDIxmDP2HjEs6lL3iOMaIowYaFzKqFKzIG4GxN__9PLH80PefTtz/s320/curved+duel+cypress+table.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another set of cypress tables. These pieces came from the same log. It is a lower 13".</div>
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This was designed to sell as an upright 14" high cocktail table. It turned out to be too low for many people. So, at the Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta, I took the glass off and turned it on its side. The hole was horizontal with a flat top surface. It sold right away to a woman for a side table beside her antique bathtub. Who knows.</div>
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Here are cypress side tables in a natural finish with 1/2" glass top. They have been heavily eaten away by fungus, but still have enough body to support the glass and accessories, or even a drink or two. They are 9x9x24. These are the remnants of milling a log that is 2-3' in diameter.</div>
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And here is the side table in a dark finish with 1/2" glass. There is barely enough solid wood to support the table, but cypress is very strong.</div>
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This stump table is from a cypress log with 480 life rings. Plus 120 years under water makes this wonderful piece over 600 years old - starting growing around the early 1400s.<br />
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Or the table can be without the glass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XEj8VinWkLDWu6ls8_hkk9esSL9ODuKsQVX1FRDbxxCrQI8VOHHbIxv4m1eGsVJWtKhJsUXa6nX_BSVEjk2Hod3lZpgz0KGiq2OiE8SSMjl8M-POVMRRHUaOPEWK96zs-8dnnhVstHwP/s1600/photo-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XEj8VinWkLDWu6ls8_hkk9esSL9ODuKsQVX1FRDbxxCrQI8VOHHbIxv4m1eGsVJWtKhJsUXa6nX_BSVEjk2Hod3lZpgz0KGiq2OiE8SSMjl8M-POVMRRHUaOPEWK96zs-8dnnhVstHwP/s320/photo-40.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40Q6sszeYJjUNTW7mF3wsXHtYqwhFzFqkBn1Mcza99mDSQKE9RpiObHCVWj03tSeC9wb-IvvH6_peWAmhjWplxVJfd3hrlFXd4nBJYwCLmDd8H44UgaWGB2HJgQc8R3sdJKRM6N7DCp9l/s1600/photo-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40Q6sszeYJjUNTW7mF3wsXHtYqwhFzFqkBn1Mcza99mDSQKE9RpiObHCVWj03tSeC9wb-IvvH6_peWAmhjWplxVJfd3hrlFXd4nBJYwCLmDd8H44UgaWGB2HJgQc8R3sdJKRM6N7DCp9l/s320/photo-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Four tables ready to go to market. Need to sell some, no more room in the garage and Ki wants her car inside. OK Ki.</div>
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Another way to use the large one in front, is to turn it on it's side for a coffee table. Don't try and use it as a stool, unless you weigh 50 lbs, but it will support good weight for a table. Also a good place for your pet to hide or make a bed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JbDy5P6K4dO63Y3J4Cmnljyd6jfAlLms7TWitp1UjqziwmOXNn0GDHID8nB0amnEED-cFsY8PEhagVCcPwAZypDgBD2ZzSQZ1VITVFGqypEvV0URfRhd5HyM-uI3XgxXV7ofIqIka9J8/s1600/photo-38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JbDy5P6K4dO63Y3J4Cmnljyd6jfAlLms7TWitp1UjqziwmOXNn0GDHID8nB0amnEED-cFsY8PEhagVCcPwAZypDgBD2ZzSQZ1VITVFGqypEvV0URfRhd5HyM-uI3XgxXV7ofIqIka9J8/s320/photo-38.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thought I would try a black lacquer look. Next one might be pink for Eric, he just loves pink.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-0IU-TG9hLrOy6FstHLVx3ki8POZTpdm_31XJAm7nR-I4mbG_BP55RGG3NoMQ7UW6ar3jsA45VIlljDfCBd6wzFz5lY0U1_G0Ba9k01FNvv_0uVg0xh6g9Xlf7WspExswKDVI_IM4ZfQ/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-0IU-TG9hLrOy6FstHLVx3ki8POZTpdm_31XJAm7nR-I4mbG_BP55RGG3NoMQ7UW6ar3jsA45VIlljDfCBd6wzFz5lY0U1_G0Ba9k01FNvv_0uVg0xh6g9Xlf7WspExswKDVI_IM4ZfQ/s320/photo-11.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then Lisa and Ki suggested I do a table in grey tones. Can't argue with the bosses. It was sold to a person building a house in Rosemary Beach.</div>
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Then I picked up a birch stump at Jim's cabin to try my luck at making a table. Made two and the people of Atlanta liked them. Guess I need to do more. Maybe I can write off the expense of a MN fishing trip, and find some birch stumps.</div>
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Now, what do you think I have here in front? Mary was working with Betsy in trying to find a small stool for around a cocktail table. I had this finished piece and was wondering what to do with it. Well, it was turned on its side - and wa lah we have a stool. Now I am looking for another piece for a second stool for her.</div>
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This table needed a glass top. The piece is totally hollow. Another of Mother Nature's wonders. </div>
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Here is my favorite. I started out with four square pecky cypress pieces from Bruner's. Planned to four separate tables, but when I started cleaning and finishing them, they were much more eaten away then I thought. Each one was too weak to be a separate table. So, I glued them together to make a four section table. Now, it is a perfect coffee table in our living room. Ki once again said "oh, that would look very nice in our house." What can I say. Looks good as shown below.</div>
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The original four peices. This is pure pecky cypress.</div>
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After cleaning and finishing. Now what to do?</div>
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The finished table, all glued together, ready for that lucky buyer.</div>
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And now the pecky table is a proud and happy resident of our living room, having been reclaimed from the junk yard or fire pit.</div>
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If you are ever tired of paying for that health club, I would recommend log cutting. In fact, I could use a helper. The pay isn't very good but the socializing is fabulous.</div>
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See you soon. Have a great day and year.</div>
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Remember, "Around each corner lies a new adventure."</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson<br />
Natural Creations<br />
Miramar Beach, Florida<br />
612-816-5378</div>
<br />Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-22369029946655683762013-04-25T18:27:00.002-07:002013-05-12T19:23:12.289-07:00Reclaimed Wood Stump Tables/StoolsMy first "adventure" into creating home furnishings from reclaimed wood came be chance. I was unloading some landscape material into the Sandestin landscape dump and discovered a large pine log. I had seen photos in design magazines of stump tables and thought, I could make one. So, back to the dump with my chain saw, cut up the log, took it home and made it into table. Now what to do? I decided to let my daughter Lisa, an Atlanta interior designer, sell it in the Atlanta market. Surprise - they sold. Back to the dump I went, and found a large magnolia tree log. Cut this up, finished them, and sold them. I am in business I thought. Then I ran out of logs at the dump. In searching Northern Florida for alternative wood sources, I came across Bruner Lumber and their deadhead cypress. A love affair started between me and old cypress. Eventually my stump tables evolved into larger tables, stools, sculptures and home accessories. This blog will show my stump tables/stools. Enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB2E_qAuyh3ICcwxfkbJiouzKYJS5g3g1_EiMlmGVB-ityJIEYJPkjMn1fi-OR1cegpZfsPXZZIPoiAmFJK-c9U-CjWDAMTroE-L2rQF5JGPzoLjDSnOXniKcAFCNTRlxNeKiVT-qlWI1/s1600/Pine+Log+Stump+Tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB2E_qAuyh3ICcwxfkbJiouzKYJS5g3g1_EiMlmGVB-ityJIEYJPkjMn1fi-OR1cegpZfsPXZZIPoiAmFJK-c9U-CjWDAMTroE-L2rQF5JGPzoLjDSnOXniKcAFCNTRlxNeKiVT-qlWI1/s320/Pine+Log+Stump+Tables.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are my first stump tables. They are pine with a natural finish. Great for tables or stools.<br />
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Here are 2 cypress and 2 magnolia tree stump tables/stools. All are around 18" high - good for a side table or a stool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEvZlc9GCzqutY2rvfyCZyKFcyBkd3M6mS2J-AuR-g2nKiw3WMCNceQjaa6mKw8u78a_vPNs1vpx7sze4iW30be1z4Mj_KY_QKHbQ2ZjkGxD2mtoJdFaH6aaINRpU4Vt-vBalvZ_zJMCU/s1600/2+magnolia+stump+tables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEvZlc9GCzqutY2rvfyCZyKFcyBkd3M6mS2J-AuR-g2nKiw3WMCNceQjaa6mKw8u78a_vPNs1vpx7sze4iW30be1z4Mj_KY_QKHbQ2ZjkGxD2mtoJdFaH6aaINRpU4Vt-vBalvZ_zJMCU/s320/2+magnolia+stump+tables.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
These two magnolia stumps were reclaimed from a landscape dump. Fun to see what "discarded" natural items can be made into.<br />
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This is a deadhead cypress stump table or stool. The log is probably over 300 years old and was reclaimed from a Florida river.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwUW_hjG5eRy-sVOaDfFpmedG9GnaB0jUStJnvS1UQcW8z7hiBfCZUnlL7Lh-KuTVd2PCYzsZ3Z9m00wtY8mOENq3mOUQT2tI4PAVEiE_Mz2dgXIXhuD0LLNl44mz2KudjmZlNNFdSDIV/s1600/gabby+and+cypress+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwUW_hjG5eRy-sVOaDfFpmedG9GnaB0jUStJnvS1UQcW8z7hiBfCZUnlL7Lh-KuTVd2PCYzsZ3Z9m00wtY8mOENq3mOUQT2tI4PAVEiE_Mz2dgXIXhuD0LLNl44mz2KudjmZlNNFdSDIV/s320/gabby+and+cypress+table.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Well, here is old Gabby with one of his favorites in a natural finish. My head looks as shiny as the table top.<br />
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This old magnolia stump surprised me with how it turned out. The natural grey/brown and the grain really comes out with a natural finish.<br />
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This is a very old deadhead cypress log. It was found in the scrap yard of a sawmill. It has over 400 life rings. With it being in the river for 120 years, this historic log is over 500 years old.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcISpW7mZXokkShlxIosqYmjNyk1b4r4Ck4cDZy2esgh9e_JJsZdEd_VKAh2s8VyxxKAIK3if8FZL29nn5u2xSe__xbUHce5woDMY6NgmNvJe_e5b-eZKR4FH7PD3Ijb8mpWoOduAmqCW/s1600/Gabby+with+Sheepshead,+4:2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcISpW7mZXokkShlxIosqYmjNyk1b4r4Ck4cDZy2esgh9e_JJsZdEd_VKAh2s8VyxxKAIK3if8FZL29nn5u2xSe__xbUHce5woDMY6NgmNvJe_e5b-eZKR4FH7PD3Ijb8mpWoOduAmqCW/s320/Gabby+with+Sheepshead,+4:2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Oops. This is not a stump table, unless you call me stumpy. Del and I and our grandkids had a great fishing day out of Destin Harbor in March. This is a sheepshead, and are they GOOD to eat.<br />
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Well, off to the saw mill to get more "treasures" to create. Take care.<br />
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Natural Creations</div>
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Miramar Beach, Florida</div>
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johngabrielson5@gmail.com</div>
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Natural creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05555240319828231510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221282062829475260.post-75171749246648821772013-04-19T10:51:00.003-07:002013-05-09T08:31:39.361-07:00Welcome to Natural Creations Blog.My Natural Creations blog is dedicated to the subject of reclaiming and recycling Nature's beautiful wood to form new and unique items for reuse. My main emphasis today is on creating unique home and commercial furnishings and sculptures with sinker/deadhead cypress. What is sinker/deadhead cypress? This is cypress that was originally harvested from swamps in the South during the period of 1850-1910. It is "original growth" wood that is hundreds of years old. Once harvested, the logs were transported to saw mills via rivers. Some logs would sink to the bottom of the rivers and remain there, covered with silt, until reclaimed by local divers over the past 20 years. Once reclaimed from the rivers and bayous the logs would be sold to saw mills for making beams, flooring and paneling. This is where I come in. I salvage the remnants from the milling process to create my items. Once finished, my items are truly a piece of Southern history, showing the life rings of centuries of growth. I hope by blogs will help you to enjoy the beauty of Nature's True Creations.<br />
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This deadhead cypress log was recovered from a northern Florida bayou in 2012. It is estimated to be well over 1000 years old. In order to transport this large log to the saw mill, it had to be loaded onto a heavy construction dump truck with a crane. It is so heavy, the original loading attempt onto a flatbed trailer blew all the tires. This beautiful cypress log will be reclaimed by milling it into large slabs for table and desk tops.</div>
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The original cypress harvest of the old growth forests occurred from the mid 1880s to the early 1900s in the swamp areas of the deep South. Transportation of the cut timber to saw mills was difficult in those days, so the rivers were the primary "road." Along the way, some sank and are today known as deadhead or sinker cypress. Here is a photo from the 1800s showing the shipping process.</div>
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One of the major suppliers of beautiful old growth milled cypress is Bruner Lumber. These photos show their mill and logs recently pulled from the rivers.</div>
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One of numerous mill structures. Due to the warm climate, drying of the cut lumber can occur in open roofed enclosures.</div>
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Deadhead cypress logs recently reclaimed from the rivers and bayous.</div>
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New "old" logs just delivered from the river divers.</div>
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What a beautiful deadhead cypress log. Not me. Often, these larger logs are milled into single slabs that can be used for tables or desks. The colors and grains are fantastic. This log is probably close to 600 years old.</div>
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And these are my "helpers." What a crew, except they are much to old for this type of work. </div>
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Welcome to my Natural Creations blog. I hope you will appreciate the beauty of nature and participate in reclaiming her "treasurers."</div>
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John "Gabby" Gabrielson</div>
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Natural Creations</div>
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Miramar Beach, Florida</div>
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612-816-5378</div>
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