| Project by cathyb | posted 08-13-2009 01:39 AM | 4207 views | 4 times favorited | 32 comments |  |
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This is my mailbox. His name is “Let’s Dance” I carved him from Cuban mahogany. The finish is Awl-Grip, a linear polyurethane used to finish boats. It is toxic, but really durable. With all the water around Hawaii, the island might as well be a ship!
It took two months to carve the horse and almost a month to finish it (inside and out). For support, I used two 1 1/2” galvanized pipes, each was attached to his belly with a metal flange. For security, I drilled holes through the lower part of the pipe so I could add rebar to further anchor it to the cement. I also added stainless steel bolts that came out of the cement and through three hooves. The footing is three feet deep. I had to ask the mail carrier to position his truck as close to the curb as possible to determine the exact positioning. Once he went into the footing, we covered it with tarp for several days while the cement cured. Everyone in the neighborhood wanted to know what was under the tarp. I removed the tarp one evening. The next morning, I came out and saw that people had placed leis around his neck! It was so sweet.
I won a contest with the Smithsonian Postal Museum for the best rural mailbox. There’s a picture of my mailbox in that Museum. You know, it was just something that I thought would be fun. The response was amazing. Once the Smithsonian sent a news clip to the papers, I was on the front page. Suddenly, people are driving past my house to see the horse. I never expect that kind of reaction! A couple of weeks ago, a gentleman that I see when walking my dog, told me that he had a stroke several years earlier. He said that his objective every day was to try to walk to the horse. When he got there, he would pat the horse on his neck and then try to walk back home.
So I would encourage everyone to take the skill you have and do something from your heart. That love will be magnified many times over….....
-- cathyb, Hawaii
32 comments so far
CoreyC
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5 posts in 4662 days
#1 posted 08-13-2009 02:22 AM
That is all kinds of awesome! Excellent job. If it were my work, you wouldn’t be able to tell it was a horse :) It really is terrific work. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.
-- -- In my family "You haven't worked on it 'til you've bled on it"
HalDougherty
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1820 posts in 4689 days
#2 posted 08-13-2009 02:25 AM
That’s the most impressive mailbox I’ve ever seen!
-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com
Ben Kahmann
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231 posts in 4724 days
#3 posted 08-13-2009 02:30 AM
Outstanding mailbox!
-- Ben Kahmann Dayton, OH
cabinetmaster
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10872 posts in 5010 days
#4 posted 08-13-2009 02:36 AM
Fantastic looking mailbox. You did an excellent job.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
cypresswoodworker
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89 posts in 4799 days
#5 posted 08-13-2009 03:12 AM
Here you go agin..just when i thought i saw your best…You never ceise to amaze me..You have sooo much talent!! Your dad is smiling upon you for what you’ve done. Keep your spirits high and your mind at ease.
-- If at first you don't succeed...Buy another tool !!
craigktx
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46 posts in 4795 days
#6 posted 08-13-2009 03:29 AM
very nice.
-- craig kuhn
MsDebbieP
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18619 posts in 5613 days
#7 posted 08-13-2009 03:48 AM
extraordinary.. the carving magnificent.. the horse – so regal and beautiful
the story—touched my heart.
thank you
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribele, Young Living Wellness )
TraumaJacques
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433 posts in 4953 days
#8 posted 08-13-2009 04:35 AM
Were do you take the mail out from? Just kidding… fantastic job.
-- All bleeding will eventually stop.
Karson
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35300 posts in 5853 days
#9 posted 08-13-2009 04:42 AM
Fantastic, A beautiful job. It would be a pleasure to walk out to that mail box every day. I think I’d go even if it was a holiday.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Appomattox Virginia [email protected] †
mmh
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3701 posts in 5174 days
#10 posted 08-13-2009 04:46 AM
Very nice! Next time I’m at the Smithsonian I’ll make sure to look for the display.
Glad to see another gal here too! Welcome!
-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe
mtnwild
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4861 posts in 4979 days
#11 posted 08-13-2009 05:59 AM
Far out!!!!
Great job, unique and beautiful…................
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
ND2ELK
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13494 posts in 5226 days
#12 posted 08-13-2009 06:07 AM
Exquisite detail! Very impressive work. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Kent Shepherd
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2718 posts in 4738 days
#13 posted 08-13-2009 04:51 PM
INCREDIBLE
Thanks for sharing
-- http://shepherdtoolandsupply.com/
John Gray
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2370 posts in 5338 days
#14 posted 08-13-2009 05:46 PM
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
jockmike2
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10635 posts in 5699 days
#15 posted 08-13-2009 06:40 PM
You really touched me with that story. I got all mushy inside. Like I do when I hug my grandson. Beautiful, gorgeous sculpture. Just amazing to me. You very well deserve your place in the Smithsonian.
-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -
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