| Project by Jack Dalton | posted 09-03-2015 07:16 PM | 2932 views | 6 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
 |
When we learned we would soon have our first Great Grandchild I thought of making a cradle. When I asked my mentors, Karson Morrison and Bill Jefferson for ideas they had two tips. First, don’t build a cradle that sits on the floor, it is too cold there. Second, it will only be used for a few months till they out-grow it.
So Karson shared his plans and Bill shared some wood from a walnut tree cut from a neighbor’s tree.
My idea was to build it and include a book showing the construction process, some family history, and a place for each child using it, so it can be passed down to future generations.
I tell people the thirty spindles are “similar” not “identical” because my turning skills are still developing.
My wife and one of our daughters made the bedding and the picture shows the first occupant.
-- I leave behind little bits of beauty to compensate for for my impact on this world.
13 comments so far
BurlyBob
home | projects | blog
6508 posts in 2775 days
#1 posted 09-03-2015 07:59 PM
What a great family heirloom. It’s looks wonderful and the last photo is the best!
ohwoodeye
home | projects | blog
2240 posts in 3663 days
#2 posted 09-03-2015 08:26 PM
Gorgeous. Almost makes me want to have another baby just so I can make one of these…........okay, maybe not….but it still looks very nice.
-- "Fine Woodworking" is the name given to a project that takes 3 times longer than normal to finish because you used hand tools instead of power tools. ----Mike, Waukesha, WI
observer100
home | projects | blog
436 posts in 1620 days
#3 posted 09-03-2015 11:34 PM
Beautiful project! The photos show the quality well.
dustyal
home | projects | blog
1310 posts in 3985 days
#4 posted 09-04-2015 01:29 AM
Great job Jack. Quite a long term memory maker. The walnut is classic. Documenting is very important to the history. Congrats on the cradle’s content! And it is great that we have friends like Karson and Bill J.
-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...
exelectrician
home | projects | blog
2339 posts in 2937 days
#5 posted 09-04-2015 02:24 AM
Beautiful workmanship on the cradle.
The last photo warmed my heart ,,,, Life anew!!! Wow!
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
bruc101
home | projects | blog
1366 posts in 4052 days
#6 posted 09-04-2015 04:56 AM
It’s more beautiful than awesome. Excellent craftsmanship and the new owner will be able to put it’s grandchild in it one day. Beautiful blessings of a new baby in the family lying in no doubt will be a family heirloom cradle.
Congrats on the new grand…they’re awesome in their own special way.
-- Bruce Free Plans https://traditionalwoodworking.org
Mikesawdust
home | projects | blog
329 posts in 3549 days
#7 posted 09-04-2015 09:20 AM
beautiful, as far as the turning I would rather have that slight variation than something that looks store bought. I’m sure many generations will notice it was built from love by someone with real skills.
-- You never cut a piece to short, you are just prepping that piece for a future project
Ottacat
home | projects | blog
511 posts in 2361 days
#8 posted 09-04-2015 12:00 PM
Truly beautiful, I too love the last photo.
Ron Tocknell
home | projects | blog
42 posts in 1507 days
#9 posted 09-04-2015 02:09 PM
This is a beautiful pieceof traditional craftsmanship! An antique of the future to be sure! Thanks for sharing.
helluvawreck
home | projects | blog
32086 posts in 3376 days
#10 posted 09-04-2015 02:26 PM
Jack, that is a real beauty.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
david38
home | projects | blog
3518 posts in 2853 days
#11 posted 09-04-2015 02:32 PM
beautiful cradle
jim1953
home | projects | blog
2738 posts in 4352 days
#12 posted 09-06-2015 01:54 AM
Great Lookin Cradle
-- Jim, Kentucky
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
117722 posts in 4087 days
#13 posted 09-06-2015 02:05 AM
wonderful,beautiful and the cradle too.
Have your say...