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Thursday, August 15, 2013

No More Furniture...

Another one of my early heroes in miniature has retired.

Some of you may have heard of Jack Chasteen.  He is a furniture maker in mini. 

He and his wife did lots of shows on the west coast...I am not sure about elsewhere.  They had done the show here in Tucson as long as I have been in minis.
They live in Prescott.  Northern part of AZ.  My friend Barb used to live up there and just went back last week.

She came to Wednesday  group yesterday.  The Chasteens are not going to be doing minis. 

At the same time, she brought a lot of his samples of wood.  He used woods from all over the world.

The ones on the string were samples that he used to carry to shows.  The other ones were just spares. 

I took them thinking, lots of small table tops...Some of the larger ones would be OK, but the smaller ones weren't even big enough for candle stands.  What to do?

Last night I got the idea of turning them into jewelry...I don't know if it will work, but I am going to try.  The wood is too beautiful to hid away in a drawer somewhere.

Meanwhile, Tessie found out that I had basket making supplies that I took to the Witches meeting...
Unhappy witch?  You bet!

Zar wouldn't let her throw the baskets out.  He threw her out instead...Now we know where Tessie stands on Zar's list of useful items...

She is hanging on by the skin of her teeth ...

I also started another one.  Of course, that didn't set well with her either.

Here is a close up of the basket that I finished at the meeting.  The stones on it are real turquoise.

It is a Tennessee Spinner gourd base, with two strands of over dyed floss. 

In the close up it looks coarse.  In real life, it is fine.  Sorry about that.

I am going now to rescue Tessie.  Maybe she will mind her manners the rest of the day.

See you tomorrow.

6 comments:

Minteriors said...

Now that is what I call a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l basket, Casey! The turquoise is just the very accent for the dyed thread. What an absoultely awesome combination. Splendid workwomanship. Perfect!!!

Kristen/Kris/Penny Doll said...

That's sad. But that wood is GORGEOUS!!! i especially love the one on the bottom far right (n matching one above it.) Of the dark marble looking wood. No clue what it is tho . Do u?. I'd love to do something w that. I'm sure u do, is it easy to work with? Really loving it. I love ur gourd as usual too. Never stops amazing me. Lol have a good nite.

Kris

Caseymini said...

Kris, that wood is called Fishtail Oak. Unfortunately that was the only type that didn't have a country of origin. It is already warped a bit. Probably why I never saw anything made from that wood on Jack's sales table at shows.

Giac said...

Hello Casey,
The wood samples are just superb. I love them! Can't wait to see you work your magic. the basket is just lovely. you really are an excellent basket maker. Look at this way, with all her shenanigans, Tessie is always very entertaining!
Big hug,
Giac

Marisa said...

Poor Tessie, you'd think that she'd stop messing with Zar but she never learns.

Hugs
Marisa

Kristen/Kris/Penny Doll said...

That's a shame. It's just so gorgeous! I'm gonna have to go look it up. Do u know if u had good unwarped wood, if it's easy, hard or medium to work with? If i can even find it that is. Lol thanks for the info tho. I NEVER in a million years would of guessed it. Hehe