Friday 1 February 2019

Those lumps of wood

This may not make any sense to you because I live with a craftsman who can make lovely furniture. The two lumps of oak that were on my desk on Wednesday are shelves, or more precisely, lifts! They do a particular job of raising up two of my most used items.

I've had it in my mind to do something to them for ages, as they were (as I asked) literally picked out of the offcuts pile, not re-sanded or finished in any other way. I was feeling all organic and naturel in my interior design moment I guess. Anyway, my other love is bone china. The Japanese repair breaks and cracks by mixing glue and gold leaf together and making the fissure obvious. Well, thought I, splits in oak are really no different...


It wasn't my intention to fill the splits...not least because I don't have that many gilding flakes - but to accentuate them and if possible, make them prettier. The old Duo glue once again proved it's worth. I brushed it on..not altogether carefully or sparingly, then tipped on the flakes. At this point I stopped breathing because they go everywhere....
Tamp it down with a stencil brush, brush off the excess. Turn chunk around, repeat. Easy.


There is no good angle to shoot the photos - the snow makes everything too light! But you can see the gold if you concentrate.


And here they are in situ, being shelves. The mirror I've no doubt you understand about instantly, but the jewellery tree? I searched quite long and hard for a plain style tree to hang my most used necklaces upon, twisted chains put me off wearing them. But it really did bug me that the 'tree' wasn't tall enough for the necklaces to actually hang! No idea why. Probably for the same reason that odd lumps of unfinished, slightly gilded lumps of oak cluttering up his house make Mr Dunnit's teeth itch!

























16 comments:

Krisha said...

WOW! your so clever, just love what you did with these cast off pieces.
I've never seen a jewelry holder that was long enough for a necklace.

Sue said...

Hi Julia, Well it's obvious now you say:) LOL. Love the gilding. I put each necklace into a little gift bag with a pull ribbon to close it. I don't have many and they'd get dusty if they were out on display, as I rarely wear jewellery.

Hope you have a lovely weekend. Sue

Helen said...

well, that was the last thing I'd have thought you were going to use them for... makes sense totally. and so soon after sharing them on your desk, too - that is really impressive!!

Annie said...

Love what you’ve done to them Julia. I love chunks of natural wood....in factim sat typing this while babysitting at Amy’s and their ‘coffee tables’ are large chunks of natural wood 😀.
Hugs,
Annie x

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Christine said...

Sheer genius!!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I guess I'm a bit like Mr.D. However, I like the idea for the mirror. Since I don't wear jewelry, I would never have thought of the wood to hold your necklaces. I like the concept of the gilding, though and yes, I could see the gold flakes on the completed pieces.

Kelly said...

Very Creative!
Yes... tangled necklaces chains will put me off and they are never worn. Hugs!

Neet said...

What a brilliant idea - I did not know about the bone China. those block shelves will be useful for lifting things temporarily too when taking photos.
hugs
Neet xxx

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Julia, great idea, and look fab. I've seen You Tube videos where carpenters have made occasional/coffee tables, using coloured resin to fill in splits in the wood. They look amazing.This is a great take on the idea. Hugs, Shaz Xx

Shoshi said...

Oooh gorgeous, Julia! I love that Japanese method of making a crack into a feature. I love the stand for your jewellery tree - a great idea, and a beautiful chunk of wood too. Clever you!

Shoshi

Ohhh Snap said...

Wowsa!!!! I love the contrast betwixt the wood and the gold. Also the instructions as to when to hold one’s breath.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Oh wow Julia, those lumps of wood are awesome! and I love what you've done to them. Maisie and Stan send hugs and thank you for visiting them xXx