Cougar Wand

That’s cool! Love the tail wrap on that crystal!

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

very kool. Did you use some sort of stamps for his name, or what? Thnx for sharing

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net

I was wondering when you were going to post the completed project. Great job! I’m sure he’ll love it, panther or jaguar.

-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY

Very nice carving! “Cougar Wand”!

This turned out looking great. Nice work…. and I thought the only difference between a panther and a cougar is a little black stain. ha! I’m with Roger, how did you do the lettering?

-- I just got done cutting three boards and all four of them were too short. (true story)

This is very good, has Matthew received his wand yet? If so what was his reaction?

Erwin, Jacksonville, FL

-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL

That is definitely a labor of love! I’m sure he will love it. I think any HP fan would be proud of it. The holder is a nice touch also…

-- Eric, Rainier, WA, Never met a piece of wood I didn't like!

nice work, love the shapes and form.

-- Everyday above ground is a good day.

One reason I like projects like this is that I get to study something. I started with pictures of Panthers.. generic species kinda thing. Most were of large black cats, but as I was carving the clay I noticed I gravitated to basically carving my cat Rula, who is a black cat. So I looked up the differences between large cats… and yes I found the North American Cougar. I get so sad and emotionally attached when ever I study an animal. We humans have devastated the animal world in both direct assault and collateral damage. So there used to be a Wisconsin Cougar, which went officially extinct in 1925. It seems there is not one species other than rats and cockroaches that we haven’t seriously hurt, whole eco systems damaged that can never recover. From bees and bats, to moose or shellfish… any way …. Cougars are beautiful and majestic, even if more dangerous today than ever before, because they have no where to live and few things left to hunt and eat.

The clay carving I ended with looks more like a cougar… shorter limbs, wider and fluffier head… basically cougars are winter versions of African cats. They are also much easier to see body and facial shapes in pictures from on-line. :) It matched the shape and feel I wanted both ergonomically and aesthetically. I wish you could all hold it for a moment, I really got down the muscle tones of the animal, but the pictures and the jatoba figure obscure it. I know some of the proportions are off, but wands (being a long round stick) are a limited shape.

-- ~ Eric P Jorgenson: Jorgenson Design

Oh and I did the lettering by hand with my 1/8” chisel. Since being on LJs … I have seen hand done lettering that has been so amazing.. so I needed to step it up a bit and I practiced. Thanks. :)

-- ~ Eric P Jorgenson: Jorgenson Design

A lot of effort and creativity went into this wand dude! Good work. I hope it was worth your while from a financial point of view.

-- Div @ the bottom end of Africa. "A woodworker's sharpest tool should be his mind."

Thanks Div. I know it sounds odd in this day and age, but i don’t care much about money, just making things. I am always proud to say I can earn money when ever I want, doing what I want. The joy on Matthew’s face does so much more for me, payment that touches my spirit. I got a picture a few minutes ago, he is wide eyed and big smiles. I guess he opened it and yelled “WOW! a Cougar!!” which is just awesome, not a panther nor leopard.. just awesome!

-- ~ Eric P Jorgenson: Jorgenson Design

-- ~ Eric P Jorgenson: Jorgenson Design

Panther or cougar it is just way too cool. Just awesome! And, you are right about the smile. :^))

-- ♫♪♪♫♫ Saddletramp, saddletramp, I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please, saddletramp ♪♪♪♫♪ ...... Bob W....NW Michigan (Traverse City area)

Beautiful, very sleek!

-- Terri, Rocky Mountain High Colorado!