The greatest expression of any art is the freedom of too many rules, regulations, or minds closed to new ideas.
I continue on this journey of woodenware or treenware with extended spirited expectations. My additional study on the matter finds me in a revival of enthusiasm and fascination in the complexity of what reveals simple pleasures with trusted methods and tools.
There is something so honest of this work in a modern world that can be so packed with bull pippy and boring commercialism of things that sell fast and bore even quicker. A hatchet and creative ideas fire up the old grey matter while the positive energy puts the human machine into motion and the job is on to produce worthy utensils for a trees felling.
I was extremely excited to have some sassafras to hone some new craft work with. This is a wood that in just a few pares of a jack knife can unlock a perfume like aroma of great inspirations.
A mighty piece of this fallen sassafras and the mission begins with this cut crook for a ladle!
The shop was riddled with tree components and old tools. In some efforts I go undecided if the handles of an old patina shining disston are just as favorable as a bark of birch on an autumn trail, although I admit they both lead to working wood again and that’s always good.
My simple treasure was found late last week as my pick up truck jammed by a nice group of thick maple cuts tossed to the side of the road by an old golf course. My Dad said “You could get a nice chopping block from one of those!” so we were back at the scene with some heavy hands! I took 3 pieces but this big titanic bulldozer was the sure winner of the rescued group for hatchet work. I later set up a small center so I may sit with my work and save my back for some future spoon sessioning!
This big chunk is a real solid addition making the hewing work more accurate and direct. Sitting during these occasions also feels overall like a sound improvement for producing the work.
Makes for a cozy setup especially on a rainy weekend morning!
My Dad has even enjoyed passing some good time with working on some hiking sticks!
I will say I have been very happy to hear the many comments of so many lumberjock friends out there. It’s always wonderful to share our different ideas and I feel like I am doing a good service to any of you that have an interest for getting in touch with the outdoors, different trees, and doing a little green wood work!
Remember to look out your window, your very next spoon or idea may just be right outside in a tree you have shared many good times under or around. You might be lucky for a huge tree with 2-4 inch diameter branches that need trimming…and you my friends have some good spoon wood!
Or you might be hiking in the woods….keep an eagle eye, it’s a great game to play on a hike…a trained eye sees a spoon, hiking stick, etc. Wheelwrights would do this when having to get out in the country to find wagon parts. They were trained to see the wagon parts within the tree.
Of course walking with a large ax, hatchet or saw might be a wee bit strange while strolling at a public park…..but hell you can do it..and be sure to take pics of the onlookers as you saw that limb of cherry tree in your public park and then post them!......lol.
Just say….”Hey….Joe told me to do this to make some spoons!” …......LOL.
Two that were once one. A split 5 inch branch of black cherry. 
Took the challenge and made good for it! Wheres Roger the Ice Cream woodworker?....lol. 
CHECK OUT THE FINISHED PHOTOSHOOT OVER IN THE PROJECTS MADE OF WOOD SECTION…LOL.
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/73149
The Galoot Library is in progress, so the next blog visit I hope to share some more of that work with you.
Thanks friends for sharing some time with me, and most of all keep creating what you love.
Joe
Crafty Puzzles
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