50th Parallel (Creative Driftwood Creations): July 2015

Friday 31 July 2015

Woodworking Week

Another Etsy order (I know! I can hardly believe it myself)

The order started with a boat, got cancelled and changed to a different boat and an adapted version of one of the houses I made. This shape of boat is pretty popular!

Personally I like the taller ships

So this order is winging it's way across North America to New Jersey

The addition to the white house was the chopping block

I hear the two boats ordered last week have arrived in New York

Waiting for feedback

I managed to get a couple of wreaths made

Not really inspired to think about Christmas just yet

Walked two beaches on Saturday and it would be inappropriate and rude not to add to my collection of stash, someone else might steal them away!

This little gem finally got finished, I had the house, wharf and tree already. The base and addition of the tiny sailboat look kinda cute

Long story, but I was at home on Tuesday unexpectedly, so

wasted no time in putting some of that lovely dry wood to good use and today got these two pieces finished.

Sailboats mounted on Driftwood to wall hang

Saturday 25 July 2015

You are Welcome

It is always good to get feedback form people who buy my creations

Two happy ladies this week!

and it is especially good to see them in situ in the person's home.

Big thanks to Sue Duval and Annette Rowan who are repeat customers, for their purchases and their praise and encouragement.

Rain in the forecast this weekend so having another stab at the wreath,

wish me luck!

Sunday 19 July 2015

Oh my god!

Another really hot weekend, so I decide to start thinking

about making Christmas goodies.

I have a wreath, which I made about five years ago

It has held up well and others might think that would be something different.

I used a wire floristry ring

it is not turning out well!

A rethink might be in order

On the Etsy front, another order!

This little special order boat is going to New York

Paired with a green tug boat I had already made.

I am consistently surprised by just how much interest my little shop has generated

More sales via Facebook page too...

The Boat featured in the video I posted last week

(which I love because it is unpainted so you get the full effect of the wood grain)

and two sets of flowers which were specially ordered.

I will post those pics when the buyers have received them!

Sunday 12 July 2015

Promotional Video Now on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ds5D8QU3rU

Just click on the link

The creative process!

The long awaited rain in the Campbell River area gave opportunity to stay indoors today

I always feel a little guilty that I'm not outside when the sun shines

We have a large garden, which takes a lot of up keep

Actually there's no reason I couldn't made driftwood stuff outdoors!

I let what wood I have collected, guide what the finished boat will look like

I've mentioned before, my first attempted looked like I'd tried too hard

These were never very pleasing!

This piece is already angled, so a tug boat seems the obvious choice

Safety first, I hold in place ready to cut (Love my thrift shop Workmate)

The rough edge looked great but it would be difficult to attach a cabin

The level surface won't distract from the great shape of this piece

This piece of wood already has some color so I'll use that

I mark the line to cut using the previously trimmed would to get an accurate angle

Next I select a flat piece of driftwood for the cabin roof and cut to size

Depending on the size of the boat, determines how I will join the cabin to the hull of the boat

One of my prized tools is my hand drill

Purchased on line this allows pre-drilling of delicate pieces of wood

Driftwood can often be unstable

Numerous times the wood will split (Usually followed by a selection of choice words!)

I often use a piece of bamboo skewer as a dowel to connect the two pieces

Drill both piece carefully, cut the dowel to size

Hammer into place and a spot of good glue does the trick

My work contains lots of recycled elements (is that an admission I'm a hoarder?)

Select some nails (I like rusty nails to add character)

Adding the details is the fun part

Cheap eyelets made great portholes (I've used washers in the past too)

I use 19 gauge black wire to make eyelets to secure wire detail or hold twine details

My set of pliers are another must have, in my tool kit

The Elmer's Tacky Glue is always at hand

The best brand for my craft at least

After a couple of hours, a splash of acrylic paint, drilling out a base and...Voila!

I love it! The natural tones and unpainted finish let you admire the beauty of the woods natural qualities.

"Absolutely excellent shopping experience with Simon. Firstly, house itself was made to my specifications and is beautiful. Bigger than expected, and the detail is amazing. It way, way exceeds expectations.

Secondly, considering it was shipped from BC to the UK it arrived quicker than some local post has (not joking).

Thirdly, Simon kept in close contact throughout the process to make sure I was happy with the design and to keep me informed re shipping.

Outstanding Etsy shop. 100% happiness all round from me and will be ordering again."

I got this feedback today

I am thrilled that someone loves their little house as much I loved to make it

My philosophy with selling my driftwood creations is similar to my own expectations, I am spending my hard earned cash and expect a certain level of service

Keeping the customer happy will eventually pay off, return custom and the invaluable word of mouth advertising that sells a product!

I am humbly off to create something fabulous!