| Project by Triumph1 | posted 01-20-2017 03:45 PM | 3754 views | 12 times favorited | 26 comments |  |
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As we were about to leave my families house after the Thanksgiving holiday my mother ran down into the basement. She came back up with something in her hand and asked if I wanted it or she was going to throw it out because she didn’t know what it was. I can’t blame her…It was a 16 year old Gatorade bottle full of sand…why would she want that?? Well, I did want it. 16 years ago I made my very first flight down to California to be the best man at my best friends wedding. They got married on Laguna Beach and right before I left I filled the Gatorade bottle up with the sand…and for 16 years it sat there. As soon as I saw my mother holding it the ideas started and “California Recall” was the result.
After figuring out the volume of sand I had I designed the main body of the zen garden. It is made from curly black walnut. I did a double dowel in the corner to strengthen the miter joint. The legs are also made from black walnut. I shaped the ends using a Foredom carver and rasps. The rake was turned on the lathe and carved using a Foredom and rasps. It is also black walnut but has bamboo tines. I used a split thru tenon to attach the rake head to the handle.
“California Recall” is approximately 11.5” x 11.5”. It was finished with four soakings of Danish Oil and two wax buffings. I did use a standard white sand for the photos.
I saw my friends last weekend and presented them the zen garden. It turned out that my friends wife’s step father, who has since passed on, also scooped up some sand for them…even more memories to recall while they rake and relax.
-- Jeff , Wisconsin Please...can I stay in the basement a little longer, please!
26 comments so far
Woodknack
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#1 posted 01-20-2017 03:54 PM
Beautiful. I like the brass tube pins on the miters. My daughter has a Zen garden but not this nice.
-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/
Dark_Lightning
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#2 posted 01-20-2017 04:02 PM
Very cool, though I like all your work.
-- Steven.......Random Orbital Nailer
Triumph1
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#3 posted 01-20-2017 04:03 PM
Thank you Rick! Those are actually a hollowed maple dowel with a black walnut dowel inside it. It’s a technique I came up with using a doweling tool. Should be in Wood magazine one of these upcoming months…pretty excited about that!
-- Jeff , Wisconsin Please...can I stay in the basement a little longer, please!
tyvekboy
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#4 posted 01-20-2017 04:51 PM
Very ZEN design. I like it.
What a way to bring back memories.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Tyvekboy -- Marietta, GA ………….. one can never be too organized
Woodknack
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#5 posted 01-20-2017 05:43 PM
I can see now that I’m on my desktop, on my tablet it looked like a brass rod, which would also be cool. I look forward to your article.
-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/
Dale J Struhar Sr
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#6 posted 01-20-2017 06:08 PM
Beautiful
-- Dale, Ohio
helluvawreck
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#7 posted 01-20-2017 06:32 PM
This is a very nice and unusual piece. Congratulations.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
Roman - THE BOOTMAN
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#8 posted 01-20-2017 07:37 PM
What a recall! Beautiful bit of work, Jeff.
I would have one of those in my house. I find it relaxing.
Regards,
Roman, the Bootman
-- Author of POWER CARVING BOOTS & SHOES - Schiffer Publishing. Available online or your favourite bookstore.
shipwright
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#9 posted 01-20-2017 08:28 PM
Very nice Jeff. The feet make me think of the feet of someone kneeling in prayer or meditation.
Love it!
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
DocSavage45
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#10 posted 01-20-2017 08:54 PM
A WOW piece! Great visual movement and thoughtful project!
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
waho6o9
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#11 posted 01-20-2017 09:01 PM
Cool story for a fine project, very nice!
SPalm
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#12 posted 01-20-2017 09:30 PM
Very very nice Jeff.
The double dowel and flaired feet are a nice touch.
It is always a treat to see your stuff.
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Mark Wilson
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#13 posted 01-20-2017 11:02 PM
Wonderful, Jeff. Absolutely wonderful.
-- Mark
Mean_Dean
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#14 posted 01-21-2017 12:48 AM
A beautiful Zen garden! The walnut was an amazing choice, and I really like the overall design—I’ll bet the happy couple really love it!
-- Dean -- "Don't give up the ship -- fight her 'till she sinks!" Capt James Lawrence USN
000
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#15 posted 01-21-2017 12:55 AM
Very cool, I might have to make me one.
What did you use for the sand? It doesn’t look like the sand from the beach?
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