Showing posts with label pewter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pewter. Show all posts

Friday, February 03, 2012

Pewter and laburnum


All the pewter at my home is now in danger of meeting the melting pot. At about £35 per kilo I'll probably wait until boot sales start up this spring to replenish supplies. (Anyone have any lying around that is of no use?)

I found it handy to prepare the pewter elements in advance to fitting on the green timber. The ring on the end grain bowl was fit with a tongue and groove joint and epoxy. The foot ring inserts are a handy way to decorate and clean up the foot.

Bowls are finished with oil and wax.

Laburnum and pewter end grain bowl
5 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Laburnum cross grain bowl
8 1/2 " x 3 1/2"

Foot ring and insert detail
Wikipedia entry on laburnum
All parts of the plant are poisonous, and can be lethal if consumed in excess. Symptoms of laburnum poisoning may include intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, coma, slight frothing at the mouth and unequally dilated pupils. In some cases, diarrhea is very severe, and at times the convulsions are markedlytetanic. The main toxin in the plant is cytisine, a nicotinic receptor agonist. It is used as a food plant by the larvaeof some Lepidoptera species, including the buff-tip.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Simon Hope

Simon

Spent last weekend with Simon Hope. What an enjoyable two days of woodturning. My main interest was working with pewter but I picked up lots of tips and inspiration.

A bit cold sleeping in the van on Saturday night but an impromptu blow on the bagpipes and a cup of tea from Simon Sunday morning warmed me right up.

We turned a few finished pieces and one knotty lampshade in walnut. Pics follow.

I can't recommend Simon highly enough.

I'll be back.

I thought my shop was inclined to be messy!


Walnut box

Yew bowl

Purpleheart box