Mom’s Cane

Full Length

My mother is approaching 92 and yet has just started using a cane; not that she needs one.  It just gives her a little confidence when she’s perambulating.

The cane itself is of an unknown hardwood that I picked up somewhere thinking, “That might make a nice cane or walking stick.”  The handle is a solid brass representation of an unknown bird.  It’s heavy enough to make the cane a weapon if some of those dudes who live in the assisted living place get any ideas.

I did a little carving on it.  I put her maiden name on one side and her married name on the other.  I stained the letters a little to make them stand out.  I finished it with a coat of wax polished to a high luster.

A Star is Born

This buckle is from an old pattern of mine but proved to be quite difficult.  The original pattern was done with the lettering in relief (see the old, poor quality, black and white photo below taken over 20 years ago) but I decided to incise the letters on this buckle.  Secondly, the lettering is very small and I had to use “micro carving tools” and a magnifying visor to carve the tiny letters.  Thirdly, the wood turned out to be softer than I thought and I had some collapses that had to be repaired.  But, finally the deed was done and the buckle has already been spoken for.   If I use this pattern again, the lettering will be done in relief again.

Old photo of a "relief" version of the star pattern

My next projects will be some bolo ties, a cane, and a walking stick.  I will, of course, post the photos here.