View Full Version : What's the best crafty thing you have ever made?
I love this forum. I think it's probably my favourite forum in BCUK. :)
I also love seeing everybody's pictures of what they've done and hearing how they did it. I find it really inspiring and reassuring.
So, I thought I'd start this thread off so we can all have a nosey at what you are all proudest of making. It would be great to hear how you made it too, what tools and which materials!
Apart from my baskets my favourite thing I have ever made is my spoon. It's made out of damson wood using my Svante Djarv carving tools (carving knife and spoon knife). I then sanded it down with gradually finer sand paper and finished it off with some groundnut oil (it was in the cupboard!).
I have two favourite parts to my spoon, the really feminine shape to it and the way there is a deep red grain that runs down the handle. The colour of it doesn't really come out in the photie though.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8247/henspoonap5.jpg
I've shown you mine, now you show me yours! :)
hen
xx
bushcraftbob
17-11-2008, 12:19
That's a wicked spoon! I've only really just started making bishcraty bits and the best thing ive done so far is a tinder pouch made of canvas with a drawstring, died with coffee, will try and take a pic some time.
That's a wicked spoon! I've only really just started making bishcraty bits and the best thing ive done so far is a tinder pouch made of canvas with a drawstring, died with coffee, will try and take a pic some time.
blimey, that sounds tricky to make! I've not had a go at making leathery things yet. Would love to see it!
:)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/Johnnyvariety/yurtclan1.jpg
The yurt we made over last year, would be the thing I've been most proud of.
Making it involved all the family: jane, jak, joe , they all joined in with either cutting and drilling wood, or stitching the canvas, tying knots in string, or setting it up for measurements +++
When I look at the notes I made during it, there were not a lot of "specialised" tools involved, We had all the basic woodworking stuff, The canvas required a special "denim" needle. Soem of the jigs for cutting got recycled later in the project, and the spare canvas is still turing up in projects.
:You_Rock_
you made a yurt!!!!!!! It looks solid as anything!! Fantastic!
I'll be getting in touch with you next year when we're building ours!!!!!!!
hen
xx
Tried in vain to load picture so maybe try www.bigshoescanoes.com for pic
How do you get upgraded to be able to upload pics
launditch1
17-11-2008, 18:27
Hi all.These are amongst some of the things ive made that im pleased with..Forged firesteels for traditional firelighting with flint.http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr197/MeAndFe/PICT1855.jpg
My favourite is this spoon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/LJintheUK/bushcraft/2008_0222Image0016.jpg
It's sycamore and I use it everyday. It's starting to colour now, getting a bit darker.
I do like my yew flatbow too but I just don't get to shoot it that much. I'm glad I managed to include the twig in the limb. I was close to using the other end of the billet for the handle and having a much shorter bow.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/LJintheUK/arrowheads/2007_0218Image0010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/LJintheUK/arrowheads/2007_0218Image0007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/LJintheUK/arrowheads/2007_0217Image0021.jpg
This is my first and favorite spoon, started on the Camp Crafts course at Woodlore. Birch branch cut down with handmade sapling bow saw, hewn with SFA, shaped with training knife and Svante Djarv hook knife, finished with olive oil. Take it with me whenever I'm in the woods
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x188/jonnie-boy/1stsp3q.jpg
jon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/40/Cern-complex.gif
I carved it out of a large burl found in the woods nearby.
:lmao:
Mungo
Nice thread. Great to see the excellent work that's been produced around here.
Excluding knives it must be this I think
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s269/alf-branch/Kuksaandspoons1.jpg
Probably the trickiest thing I ever carved was this ball in a sliding cage.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images19/ball_in_2cages4c.jpg
I also kinda like this egg and yolk thingy. :)
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images24/egg_w_yolk1d.jpg
MagiKelly
17-11-2008, 23:46
So far the leather journal is my favourite. I always enjoy using it.
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/journal/journal_47.jpg
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/journal/journal_45.jpg
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/journal/journal_43.jpg
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23987
Has to be my knife and my sheath 'family' - although it has grown as I now have a silkey saw pouch to match :) - Need to take another group shot at some point methinks
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9343/dscf3172zi1.jpg
Hen set your camera to tungsten (light bulb symbol) white balance for shots taken indoors with the house lights on (unless they are striplights!)
I can't believe the standard of these creations!!! They're awesome!! Such a mix of stuff too, bows and steels, spoons, kuksa's and leatherwork, knives and yurts!!
Hoodoo; Hoo did you you doo it!?!?!?! Looks stunning and really tricky!!
I can't believe some of the craftmanship in this stuff! The leatherwork is amazing. :notworthy
I really hope everyone is confident enough to post up the favourite thing they've made, I'm loving seeing all these. Inspiring.
Hen set your camera to tungsten (light bulb symbol) white balance for shots taken indoors with the house lights on (unless they are striplights!)
Thank yoo cobweb, you're dead right! :) That's an old picture and I've now learned how to use the camera (sort of!). I might take a new photie of 'The Spoon' (hallowed be), as the wood is seasoning beautifully!
rancid badger
18-11-2008, 16:01
A bit of this and a bit of that:o
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/donetotems.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/PC170010copyresized1.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x125/stalch/newestpicturesofitemsforfestiv al005.jpg
I think my real favourite is the large bark bucket;)
cheers
R.B.
Mike Ameling
18-11-2008, 16:05
I was kind of wondering if my various blacksmithing work could also be considered
... bushcrafty.
There are the 4 assorted canvas tents I've sewn up and used for the last
decade or two. And several coats/shirts/pants/mocs/belts/bags/haversacks. Plus a
couple wood trunks. But I don't have pics of those ... ordinary things.
So here are a few of the favorite things I've made kind of recently.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ameling/For%20Trade/Pipes4.jpg
Sheet Iron Pipes - historically based on originals from the early 1600's on up well into the
1800's. They are made in the same general style as the clay pipes of the Fur Trade.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ameling/For%20Trade/laBelleKnivesA1.jpg
Iron handled clasp knives - based on originals recovered from the wreck of la Salle's ship
la Belle which sank off the coast of Texas in 1685.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ameling/For%20Trade/Tourtieres2b.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ameling/For%20Trade/Tourtieres2c.jpg
Tourtieres - sheet iron (or brass) pans used to bake over an open fire before they
developed the cast iron Dutch Oven and it came into common use in the 1840's.
And a few of the latest batches of flint strikers.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ameling/Iron%20work/GGStrikers.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ameling/Iron%20work/Whales4.jpg
And I don't have any pics of the whitetail deer skull/antlers I and Jay made up a year ago
- antlers forged up from solid bar and skull formed from sheet iron. Or the "coffee table"
we made - glass top with the pedestal made to look like a tree with the branches
spreading out to hold the glass top and the roots curling down around several rocks. Or
the wood door I covered with random sized rectangles of copper sheet - nailed at all the
corners with brass pins, flame colored/patina'd, with solid copper forged door pulls. But
Jay still hasn't gotten me pics of them.
Just a few ... favorite ... items.
Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands
Rancid Badger...
:Wow: they are amazing. What are the mini totems for? How did you make the bark buckets??? How did you get the 'scorched' effect in the patterns of some of your spoons???
ahem... sorry... I get carried away. :rolleyes:
Mikey...
I would consider what you've made there bushcrafty. I certainly would have your pans, steels, knives.... maybe not the pipe though! They're beautiful and I imagine were well tricky to make!
Your a busy man then!!
Wow! There are some truly amazing things being made by you lot. Kinda puts my thrown together tarp in the shade. It's certainly not to some of the levels of quality shown here, but I like it none the less. Once I get a decent pic I might shame myself into showing it here.. :lol:
Nag.
Wow! There are some truly amazing things being made by you lot. Kinda puts my thrown together tarp in the shade. It's certainly not to some of the levels of quality shown here, but I like it none the less. Once I get a decent pic I might shame myself into showing it here.. :lol:
Nag.
I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp I want to see your tarp... etc..
:)
I'm hoping no one will be put off showing their favourite creations. I might post a picture of my kuksa, just to balance things out a bit...
rancid badger
18-11-2008, 16:21
:Wow: they are amazing. What are the mini totems for? How did you make the bark buckets??? How did you get the 'scorched' effect in the patterns of some of your spoons???
ahem... sorry... I get carried away. :rolleyes:
Ah....that'll be me then:bandit:
Mini totems: just decoration really, brilliant for practicing knifes skills- Mind you, I don't have a single one in my possession anymore; all either traded,sold or given away:rolleyes:
Bark buckets: Have a look at Eric Methvens threads, he did a bit of a tutorial from our last bark container course. The ugly little fat bloke is me:p (well one of them anyway:D )
The "Scorched" patterns are colerosing/scrimshaw type decoration-you carve the designs into the wood then rub in a powder made from inner birch bark ( or coffee will do but stinks)
Hope this answers your queries;)
Hey Mike! some fantastic bits and bobs there:cool:
cheers
R.B.
John Fenna
18-11-2008, 16:39
Ach - the previous stuff make me look ham fisted.....
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/Nov03777.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/Oct28763.jpg
not the blades though
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/Oct25752.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/Jun24123.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/BushChair.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/Mar20817.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u142/johnfenna/Mylatestprojects-1.jpg
I like making stuff but am no expert in any field...
Mike Ameling
18-11-2008, 16:48
Truly amazing skill/quality?
Hmmm ... you obviously haven't seen my scrap pile - of failed projects, tortured/twisted iron, equally tortured/twisted wood, scraps of canvas/leather, etc. etc. etc.
Oh, wait a minute. That description sounds like my SHOP!
And it ain't no beauty itself! 6 sheets of corrogated roofing tin nailed to a couple 2x6's held up by some 2x4's and old tipi poles - with plastic tarps hanging down around the sides almost to the ground - to ... mostly ... close it in from the rain/wind/snow. But it's still a fun place to play. And I don't have to pick up all the tools/toys each evening to pack them away from the weather. Come to think about it, it DOES look so much like just another scrap/junk pile.
Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands
Some of my leather stuff:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mollygypsy/DSCN0336.jpg
A couple of Nessmuk knives:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mollygypsy/DSCN0014-3.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mollygypsy/DSCN0452.jpg
A couple of carved hiking sticks:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mollygypsy/DSCN0561.jpg
A canoe:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mollygypsy/Dscn0090.jpg
And my biggest creation to date: a 31ft catamaran. That was built 20 years ago, but I am still happy with it! Pity I had to sell her :( Well, it was selling the kids or the boat :D Sorry, the pic is not too good.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/mollygypsy/2008-11-18-1657-09.jpg
Wow that canoe is great!
The hiking sticks are great too!
Michiel
A couple of my tine' boxes.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/harmonystables/BirchBark30insidesumac.jpg
Birch bark, sumac handle and end posts. Laced with spruce root.
http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/harmonystables/Vikingmedwoodshieldsmaille.jpg
Box is ash. Setting on a sheet of my E 4 in 1 maille.
Harmony
stevesteve
18-11-2008, 20:44
I enjoy the small stuff that I make all the time,toast rack,toys for the kids etc whittled out of wood.
My new knife took some making. It was the first one that I have made from scratch,blade and all. First sheath too.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/stevestevephoto/Knife/number2_side1.jpg
Cheers,
Steve
I've made 40 L of wine but its no worth showing a pic. Oh and 28 L of Rakia but thats going down slowly.
Still not able to upload pics who has control of this ?
And how much Rakia does it take for the bribe.......
I've made 40 L of wine but its no worth showing a pic. Oh and 28 L of Rakia but thats going down slowly.
Still not able to upload pics who has control of this ?
And how much Rakia does it take for the bribe.......
To be able to upload pictures to the forum, you need to join some host such as Photobucket, you can then upload yours pictures to Photobucket and then you can upload them up on here. No need for a bribe...:D
DarbyFett
19-11-2008, 02:09
Jeez, I am glad this thread isn't a catalog. I would be bankrupt.
took two months to complete single handed
http://s378.photobucket.com/albums/oo227/bigshoescanoes/?action=view¤t=2007_0625Image0067.jpg
took two months to complete single handed
http://s378.photobucket.com/albums/oo227/bigshoescanoes/?action=view¤t=2007_0625Image0067.jpg
You made that shelter?! :You_Rock_
I have changed my mind having seen whats beem posted this is my best.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s269/alf-branch/Elmburrps3.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s269/alf-branch/Elmburrps2.jpg
I sadly had to hand it over to the guy I made it for but at least he has used it.
Alf, that's lovely! :) I've got an antler that I ultimately want to make in to a knife handle. How do you polish it up?
Alf, that's lovely! :) I've got an antler that I ultimately want to make in to a knife handle. How do you polish it up?
There is no antler in this knife.
To polish antler just go down through the grits to around a 1000 and use a polishing wheel or metal or perspex polish. Some antler is better than others it depends on what type it is and what the core is like as in whether it very honeycombed.
If possible test it out first to see what the centre is like.
:o oops! :lmao:
looking at it now I can tell it's not antler! Oh, the shame! :)
Black Sheep
24-11-2008, 20:50
I'm not in the same league as some of these guys:o
I find I get great pleasure and satisfaction from making things myself from natural materials wood, leather, etc' and various metals.
Here's a photo of my latest knife (handled and sheathed by me) and my backup folder.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/blacksheep-photos/Knives1_opt.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/blacksheep-photos/Knives2_opt.jpg
Being an Engineer by trade I've made all sorts of the years model boats, steam engines and boilers, various tools and even a model garden shed.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/blacksheep-photos/Shed_opt.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/blacksheep-photos/insideshed_opt.jpg
It was made as a scale model of my Uncles Allotment shed to go his 60th birthday cake
a few years back. I even managed to kit it out inside as near as I could to his shed:)
Richard
Ozhaggishead
25-11-2008, 08:27
What a cool wee thread some great work there:You_Rock_ .Here is few pics of my kuksa,knifes,pouches and of course spoons:rolleyes: .
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll390/Ozhaggishead/IMG_3897.jpg
I am kind of fond this knife I made from recycled materials.
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll390/Ozhaggishead/sporran/IMG_5871.jpg
This wee pouch is the last thing made I posted little tutorial.
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll390/Ozhaggishead/IMG_1723.jpg
Some things I whittled in the backyard.
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll390/Ozhaggishead/IMG_3681.jpg
I also make wind chimes from old cutlery.