Woodspirit in Cottonwood Bark

Looks good Bug! I usually carve woodspirits out of logs or limbs, and have always wanted to try one in cottonwood bark so I could use it as a wall hanging. Just haven’t got around to it yet. I like how you have made good use of the flowing aspect of the bark to incorporate the face features. Can you stain cottonwood as a finish?

-- Craig, North Carolina

Nice piece Bug. That wood does look unusual. You certainly picked the right hobby. I was in to your home page and workshop. That large unfinished piece was sure well done. Are you using Bass wood for that one? Looking forward to more.

I used to live in Onamia Minnesota (1944-45).

-- Mike, American in Norway

Thanks Craig. Not sure if you can stain cottonwood or not. I always use clear shoe polish paste when I am done. I apply it real heavy, let it set (sometimes overnight) then buff the crap out of it. It gives it a nice luster look and protects it and makes it feel a bit like plastic when your done.

-- Bug from Minnesota. Creating Designer Firewood Since 2006

Thanks Stefang,
No the large Whimsical House that I have in my workshop photos and that I am still working on, is also made from Cottonwood Bark. The bad thing is our cottonwood bark here in Minnesota is Eastern Cottonwood and usually only 2 inches thick or so. What one came from Montana or Wyoming I think and is about 6-7 inches thick. It is a great piece for carving as the larger ones you can do more with.
The face is on a piece from out West also but is almost to skinny for a good woodspirit face.
The Native American Face is carved from Butternut.

-- Bug from Minnesota. Creating Designer Firewood Since 2006

That’s a great piece of work. My mother has a bird house and the front of it is a face that looks similar to that.
The mouth is drilled out for the bird entrance and there was the eye’s were painted blue until a woodpecker came along and pecked the eye ball out. LOL!
Very nice work. Cheers

-- People who say it cannot be done should not interup those who are doing it

cool woodspirt well done

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Thanks Popeye,
They sell a few bird houses here that are large with a huge nose that the nostrils are drilled out and that is the entrance into the bird house. It is for wrens and real funny to see them flying into the nose. I am thinking of carving one for the back yard off the deck for laughs but already have a ton of ideas and projects I want to do and never enough time… Plus have to get busy with the Christmas gifts so I don’t have to kill myself to get them done like I did last year.

-- Bug from Minnesota. Creating Designer Firewood Since 2006

Thanks a1Jum

-- Bug from Minnesota. Creating Designer Firewood Since 2006

A nice carking. Great job.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Thanks Karson
This one sold for $40 in the auction

-- Bug from Minnesota. Creating Designer Firewood Since 2006