It seems appropriate we should think of those who have to fight for peace in our world - all they give for our sakes - especially following on from Remembrance Sunday and in the lead-up to Christmas.
Read below - it gives food for thought - especially in the current wintry conditions and thinking of our forces on active service in Afghanistan.
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A TRUE BRITISH SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALISED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS...."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY. ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND.
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by a Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas.. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable...
PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
Thursday 23 December 2010
All over bar the day itself
One of the nice things about being a crafter in this time of recession is being able to make gifts for people. I am fortunate in that my family (extensive as it is LOL) appreciates the thought and work involved and it means that we don't have to suffer the manic shopping frenzy that so many go through over this period. Also a lot easier on the pocket LOL. We have got everything pretty much done now bar a bit of packing. Just one left to do. Hope everyone actually likes what we have chosen to do for them. Obviously can't post pics as some of the family read this. Hope everyone has a really good Christmas, lot's of relaxing time with loved ones. Stay warm
Saturday 4 December 2010
The Night before Christmas - this made me think
Friday 26 November 2010
Sale at Sainsbury's
Well that has now been done and we've been asked by the management if we can do next Friday as well. Niot the biggest success in the world but good for publicity and getting my name out there. Sold the really large chalice and a small goblet as well as some of the smaller things so not a failure, OK not rich yet, maybe another day. LOL
pete
pete
Sunday 21 November 2010
Friday 19 November 2010
Crafty Friday:
Check out the original work this clever lass does. She has a wide range of different things and these especially appeal to me.
Kryshees - bringing you handmade, unique adornments for your littlies and you!
Her shop is at www.kryshees.folksy.com www.kryshees.blogspot.com and you can also find her on http://twitter.com/#!/Kryshees
feel free to ad lib as you like.
This is a knee high elephant, in a beautiful blue deck chair type fabric and super soft light bue denim inner ears.
He has a layered vintage button eyes and a tassly wool tufty tail.
Elliefant is very firmly stuffed with 2.5kg of toy quality stuffing and perfect as a sit on animal for a littlie or as a magestic addition to any room in your home.You'll find him waiting for you at http://www.folksy.com/items/947697-S...fant-?shop=yes
Thursday 18 November 2010
Little people
These are made from all sorts of wood and come in different shapes and sizes. As you can see they are perhaps best suited as ornaments for the mantel piece or side table but can be hung from the tree if wished. I do several different sizes depending on the woods available to me but sell them as small, medium and large. Large ones tend to be about 5 - 6" tall and are pretty weighty so you will need a good sized tree if you decide to hang him. Each one is lovingly dressed with a hand knitted scarf made by Sue (my wife) who also makes sure that they have eyes and a mouth with her pyro pen.
Saturday 13 November 2010
Good fair
Just finished one of my rare fairs. Looks like snowmen, wands, potpurri bowls and hedgehog and snowmen keyrings are popular so as i have another two fairs next weekend (shortlisted) I better make some more. Nice to have some big sales but lot's of little ones are just as good
Monday 8 November 2010
Christmas shopping?
The run up to Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier each year. Once the summer is over it seems to be one thing after the other, Halloween, Gut Fawkes night, then it's Christmas wherever you look. I have a variety of things that may be just what you didn't know you were looking for. If you want something it's worth getting in early as if I have to make it for you I will need notice. Check out the shop at www.bodrighywood.co.uk for ideas and gifts from a few pound for stocking fillers through to more extravagant presents for someone special
Monday 1 November 2010
Drinking vessels for the dedicated boozer
I made the small one first, that sold within 10 minutes of going in the shop and mentioning it on a forum so I have done a couple more.
The original 9" one is the one on the right. I have since made the other two, the middle one is 12" tall, 5" wide and 3" deep. The biggest, unpyro'd one is 13" tall, the bowl is 4" deep and 6" wide. Don't know how much it'll hold but more of a communal chalice or ceremonial one I should think. Sue has yet to burn that one.
The original 9" one is the one on the right. I have since made the other two, the middle one is 12" tall, 5" wide and 3" deep. The biggest, unpyro'd one is 13" tall, the bowl is 4" deep and 6" wide. Don't know how much it'll hold but more of a communal chalice or ceremonial one I should think. Sue has yet to burn that one.
Sunday 31 October 2010
National Trust Woodturning Display
I've just participated in a display with our club at a National Trust Garden. Saturday was pretty good with a fair few people coming to have a look and some buying, today rain held them off a bit but it was an interesting excercise. Mostly it was the lower end price wise that was selling though a few had some more expensive pieces bought. Hopefully it is something that we will be ding more often. Intersting to see what the people were looking at and buying as they weren't the usual 'craft fair' customers. Also nice to see the vast variety of work that the other turners brought in. Ranging from the ordinary to the artistic. Also had two lathes running which atracted a fair bit of attention.
Monday 25 October 2010
It's cold
Frost on the ground. Heater turned on in the workshop waiting for it to get comfortable enough to work in . Don't like the cold and have some orders to make up. Brrrrrrrrrr
Tuesday 19 October 2010
More 'Danglies' as someone called them LOL
These are DIY decorations. They are highly sanded but unpolished and are intended to be decorated by the person who buys them. They can be painted, pyro'd, stained, dyed or simply polished as suits. Ideal for kids to decorate and will last a lot longer than the cheapo plastic ones you can buy. See my shop if you wnat some at www.bodrighywood.co.uk
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Insprational work
Sue and I have become friends with a turner/artist/photographer on facebook called Douglas Fisher. His work is inspirational. Maybe with lot's of practice?........
See his work here
http://www.douglasjfisher.com/index.html
See his work here
http://www.douglasjfisher.com/index.html
Monday 11 October 2010
A few more bits and bobs from the arsonist in the family
I made these little (6") plaques a while ago but did nothing with them. Sue took them on and despite the fact that the wood (iroko) is apparently a pig to work with managed to turn these out
Saturday 9 October 2010
Having a break from seasonal things
These can be bought here
A couple of pieces that have been hanging about awaiting me to finish them.
This is hawthorn, gorgeous colours....who needs exotics with wood like this growing in our hedgerows?
This has a body made of pear wood and the top section is a banksia nut. 'orrible stuff to work but it looks good when finished.
A couple of pieces that have been hanging about awaiting me to finish them.
This is hawthorn, gorgeous colours....who needs exotics with wood like this growing in our hedgerows?
This has a body made of pear wood and the top section is a banksia nut. 'orrible stuff to work but it looks good when finished.
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Christmas is acomin'
These can be found here
OK so time to start getting the ornament made up for all those eager beavers who like to stockm up early. So far I have some half finished snowmen which Sue will pyrograph faces onto and dress with little knitted scarves
These are just prototypes that I have made playing with shapes. These will be sold ready finished and polished or as bare wood blanks so that people can decorate them to suit themselves. Sue is also seeing if she can pyrograph them successfully. She can do the holly leaves etc but will they look good? We'll see.
OK so time to start getting the ornament made up for all those eager beavers who like to stockm up early. So far I have some half finished snowmen which Sue will pyrograph faces onto and dress with little knitted scarves
These are just prototypes that I have made playing with shapes. These will be sold ready finished and polished or as bare wood blanks so that people can decorate them to suit themselves. Sue is also seeing if she can pyrograph them successfully. She can do the holly leaves etc but will they look good? We'll see.
Monday 4 October 2010
Teleless
That's it. Back to no TV again, out of choice. What is the point in paying out for something you don't use that muich anyway. Let's see if we start getting the threatening letters asgain. Really viscious some of them last time.
Saturday 2 October 2010
Some new things and a new website
I have got my new website up and running as a shop. Just debating whether it is worth while keeping Misi, Folksy and Etsy going as well. I will probably leave them until after Christmas but not sure if |I will after that unless I refine them so that each one is aimed at a different market. I already have the Misi one mainly as a tool and equipment shop. Maybe keep the Etsy one for more expensive things and the Folksy one for the lower end, gift market. We'll see. Anyroad, here are a few more bits and bobs I have made recently.
A couple of contemporary style vases in yew and hawthorn. The yew is 8" tall, hollowed for dried flowers / grasses etc and the 9" tall hawthorn is also hollowed for dried flowers or grasses.
This is a vase I made a week or so ago. It's made of pear and is 8 1/2" tall and tapers from 3 1/2" at the bottom top 1 1/2" at the top. She has done a collar and a small piece on one side at the bottom. I have included closeups of the work.
A couple of contemporary style vases in yew and hawthorn. The yew is 8" tall, hollowed for dried flowers / grasses etc and the 9" tall hawthorn is also hollowed for dried flowers or grasses.
Monday 27 September 2010
Sue's work
Sue has really taken of with the pyrography. Here's some examples.
These and more of Sue's work can be bought here
Saturday 18 September 2010
Tunisian / Afghan hooks
I haven't been asked for one of these for ages so thought I had better have a quick go and get my hand in when someone mentioned them to me today
It's 15" long and 15mm dia. Made from hazel
It's 15" long and 15mm dia. Made from hazel
Wednesday 15 September 2010
New bowl
Knocking out a few of these lately. Check out my new shop for them at www.bodrighywood.co.uk.
This one is ash, 6 1/2" diameter and 4" tall. Lovely tactile piece that begs to be picked up.
This one is ash, 6 1/2" diameter and 4" tall. Lovely tactile piece that begs to be picked up.
Monday 13 September 2010
Talk talk no talk
I haven't been able to receive or make phone calls on my landline for over a week now. Messages to talk talk have not been acknowledged yet they will still expect me to pay for a service I am not getting. I can use my broadband so it isn't the line, I have tried three different phones, nothing, dead as a dodo but nothing from talk talk. I am afraid that I am not impressed and look like having to change services. any recommendations? Half expecting an email asking me to ring a number if I am having a problem...yeah right
Ash cone bowl
Ash bowl, 7" diameter and 2 1/2|" tall. Ideal for a display of potpourri. Nor sure if it is actually spalted or not as the markings are very dark but follow the grain in the main.
Friday 10 September 2010
Thursday 9 September 2010
A bit lax at blogging
I suspect that you should ideally do some entries a bit more often than once a fornight or so. I just never seem to get around to it. Anyway I'm here now so here's some bits and pieces I have been making this last week or aso.
Monday 16 August 2010
Bread and butter bits
It'd be great if I could spend my time making things that I like making, and make money from them but that is a daydream. Just been making more of these seam ruippers, that's a good couple of dozen I've done so far. Still all helps with the housekeeping.
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Just a plaque
This time none of my work getting burned, cut or anything. A simple plaque . Approx 7" max dimensions both ways.
Sunday 8 August 2010
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Burnt and cut up
Not content with burning my work she has now graduated to cutting it up.
Dirty sycamore, 5" dia. Not yet polished
Dirty sycamore, 5" dia. Not yet polished
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Something new
These are seam rippers and are about 1" longer than the plastic ones you get. These are just the prototypes and I think I'll make them like the one of the far left with wooden sleeves. Much nicer
Monday 12 July 2010
Back to my old ways
Sorting out my wood stock I found a root ball I had forgotten about. Decided that I really needed to check it before carrying on with the (boring) jobs I had assigned myself and found this little bowl inside it. Only 3" across the bowl section, it has gorgeous grain, colours etc in it.
Saturday 10 July 2010
Unexpected sale
Someone contacted me and asked if Sue's dragon plate was for sale. She said yes so that's gone as well. Nice one. Like it when the 'pleasant' surprise happens as we hadn't put the plate up for sale.
Friday 9 July 2010
More stock on Folksy
Just completed these four vases for dried flowers and grasses. Tallest is 9" and smallest just over 6" All finished with a wax polish.
Thursday 8 July 2010
Something more ordinairy
I don't often do things that require buying accessories but as I got the lids free I have 1/2 doz. of these to make, first one, in cherry, a potpourri bowl with pewter lid
Sunday 4 July 2010
The lady has talent
I had turned a large sycamore platter which proceeded to warp and was wondering what to do with it. My wife, who has been having a go at pyrography on scraps of wood took it on and produced this which I think is extremely good. Look out for more co-operative pieces in the near future
The piece before decoration
The decorated piece after improvement
The piece before decoration
The decorated piece after improvement
Thursday 1 July 2010
Ego booster
I had a phone call from a lady who wanted to buy a bowl as a wedding present and she wanted to know if she could come and have a look at what I had in stock. On arrival she immediately spotted a large one I was in the process of finishing off and wanted that one. She then ooked at all the others and ended up buying 5 I think it was as she couldn't make her mind up which ones she preferred. It's so much nicer selling to peoples faces than over the net as there's no worries about 'Will they like it' Extremely good for the ego as well when someone oohs and aahs over your work
No peace for the wicked
I have got to make some wedding goblets for my daughter and her fiance for the end of July. I keep telling myself that I can get started as I don't have any paying commissions to do and another one pops up. If people were buying things from the shop it would be a case of just posting them but I seem to get more commissions than actual sales. Not that am complaining. Just have to work harder.
Thursday 24 June 2010
Too much wood?
Working on the principle that you can't have too much wood, I rarely say no when it is offered. I have now reached a point though where I must build a proper wood store and sort it all out properly. I even have the wood to make the store, just need to get my finger out and make it. Also sort out the workshop so I don't have to move things and climb over things to do anything. All in between filling commissions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)