Christmas 2012 projects 1/6

Every year I do a different woodworking project to give away as Christmas presents, usually some form of artsy type thing. This years project is woodburned animal pictures in Figured Maple frames. Years ago I did a little woodburning as decorations on some turned bowls and liked the minimal effect, of simple textures and shading available. The pictures are all based on many different resources mostly Dover Coloring books from Birds of Prey to Mrash Animals, Small Mammills of North America, etc…. The Basic pattern is made by photo copying the picure with a Laser printer, and then using Acetone to transfer the reversed image to 13” x 13” squares of Luan 5/32nds plywood. The image is burned in using mainly a bent wire tip on a basic woodburning handpiece. The surface is sanded afterwards with 400 grit paper, vigorously dusted off with compressed air, and two coats of Flat Verathane sprayed on. The frames are very simple 1 1/2” wide x 5/16ths thick Bigleaf Maple mitered and splined with a rabbet for the picture to set in. I cheated and used glue to attach the picture as the frames., and a simple shelf block for a hanger. As with all my work there is no metal in the finish work. The Frames are finished with two coats of dark Danish Oil. Thanks for looking, if anybody is interested in seeing the rest of them, I might post the other 20 or so. Peace to All. Mike