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Carpathian Elm Burl Veneer Mirror

Project by mike posted 1186 days ago 1630 views 1 time favorited 13 comments Add to Favorites Watch

We needed a mirror over the sofa when we decorated our family room. My wife’s theme was metal and wood. The wood part fell to me. We agreed on a design that was published in Woodsmith magazine. I have never really done a veneer project before so the challenge was exciting. The frame is poplar and the main veneer is Carpathian Elm Burl with Tulip wood banding. The corner blocks are Tropical American Mahogany (TAM) with an emblem surrounded by edge face mahogany veneer. Moldings were crafted from TAM using a router table and a round over bit.

Mirror is finished with Danish Tung Oil and 3 coats of a 1lb. cut shellac.

Veneer was attached using a hand operated vacuum pump and plastic bag designed for crafting skateboards.

The mirror is a centerpiece on the sofa wall and always gets noticed by friends and family when they first see it.

Total construction time approx. 40 hrs.

-- Mike, Maryland, www.thewoodenquill.com


13 comments so far

View Mark A. DeCou's profile

Mark A. DeCou

1533 posts in 1284 days


posted 1185 days ago

Mike:
this is a “too-cool” mirror. If you hadn’t stated that it was your first attempt at veneer work, I would never have believed it. A beautiful combination of marquetry and veneers. From the reflection in the mirror, you home is quite beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to post this project for the rest of us to enjoy,

Mark DeCou www.decoustudio.com

-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

6991 posts in 1178 days


posted 1175 days ago

Congratulations, & excellent, a beautiful enhancement to your living room wall. it looks professionally done.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View ahpeditor's profile

ahpeditor

5 posts in 1154 days


posted 1154 days ago

Mike, Nice looking mirror. Thanks for the Woodsmith plug. Glad to see there are people out there building beautiful furniture from our plans.

-- Joel Hess, Associate Editor, August Home Publishing, WoodworkingONLINE.com

View David's profile

David

1982 posts in 1018 days


posted 921 days ago

Mike -

This is an oustanding piece! Thanks for posting this project. I have been browsing past postings looking for insight and inspiration. I have this issue of Woodsmith and very much admired the project when it was first published. I am looking into starting veneering this summer so this really struck a chord. Excellent work! Thanks for posting this project.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14096 posts in 1039 days


posted 920 days ago

oh my !!!! GORGEOUS

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View mike's profile

mike

46 posts in 1189 days


posted 920 days ago

Thanks all for the gracious comments.

Mike if you decide to proceed with the mirror project or a veneering project in general send me an email I can share some of my discoveries while makign the mirror.

Mike

-- Mike, Maryland, www.thewoodenquill.com

View Chip's profile

Chip

1058 posts in 971 days


posted 920 days ago

Wow. Outstanding piece Mike. Beautifully executed and it goes with the room perfectly. Thanks for sharing this with us.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6402 posts in 862 days


posted 847 days ago

beautiful work … awesome !!

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6402 posts in 862 days


posted 847 days ago

Hello … get out your digital camera … lets see what new things you’re working on !!

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Jeff's profile

Jeff

996 posts in 973 days


posted 807 days ago

Mike, I got wind of this project via your posting for the glider. All I can say is WOW. This is very, very nice. Which issue of Woodsmith? When we get a new house, I may have the same need.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3709 posts in 858 days


posted 665 days ago

Mike;

Thanks to Martin for the roll the dice feature on this site.

I missed this project before, but I have to agree with the comments posted before. Hard to believe this is your first attempt at veneering.

Great job.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 595 days


posted 513 days ago

beautiful work

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View mtnwild's profile

mtnwild

1979 posts in 406 days


posted 402 days ago

WOW, first attempt? WOW, just stunning.

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

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