As others have mentioned, LJ provides a lot of inspiration as we decide on new projects to undertake. I had wanted to work with padauk for a while and finally got around to purchasing a small board, but all I knew that I wanted to do with it was combine it with a white wood to bring out padauk’s color. Then I was inspired by the basic design of Ellen’s candle holders, so a big tip of the hat to her. I came up with two candle holders that I call mirror images. They really are not that, but you get the idea. The candle holders were constructed with padauk and maple except for the center strip in the one on the right, which is lyptus. I was aware that padauk tends to stain adjoining light colored wood so I tried to avoid that issue by scraping instead of sanding in those places where padauk was in contact with the maple or lyptus. This worked well with the maple but not so well with the lyptus, which seems to pick up a slight pink coloring no matter what. Perhaps lyptus has a larger pore structure than does maple. In the photos the maple appears to have a slight pinkish tinge, but this is an artifact of the photography. The holders are 15 inches long and are finished with lacquer and a coat of wax. Which one do you like the best?
-- Rowdy in Kechi, Kansas
7 comments so far
a1Jim
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89114 posts in 1774 days
#1 posted 1436 days ago
double cool
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Rustic
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#2 posted 1436 days ago
I love the contrast
-- www.carvingandturningsbyrick.com, Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI
dog2bert
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12 posts in 1436 days
#3 posted 1436 days ago
Good scrap project
scrappy
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#4 posted 1436 days ago
Can’t pick a best when they are both fantastic!
Yes LJ’s has been a LOT of inspiration for me also. There are SOOO many talented people on this site. Lots of knowledge and design ideas. I see things like these candle holders and want to go make some of my own. Lots more ideas then time in the shop.
Wonderful project and story. Love the contrasting wood.
Keep up the great work.
Scrappy
-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!
ellen35
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2453 posts in 1630 days
#5 posted 1436 days ago
Love the tops! What a great idea! I had a hard time finding a single piece of wood wide and thick enough to accommodate a larger candle…now you have given me the solution! Looks wonderful. I also love the pins – another great idea! As for which one I like the best…can’t really pick…they are both spectacular!
Ellen
-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
rowdy
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370 posts in 1640 days
#6 posted 1435 days ago
Thanks to all for your comments. Rowdy
-- Rowdy in Kechi, Kansas
Karson
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34396 posts in 2598 days
#7 posted 1435 days ago
A greast set of candle holders. Very beautiful.
If I could only buy one I’d pick the maple legged one.
-- 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 †
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