I'm sure everyone gets tired of hearing about other's grandkids, but here I am posting anyway. But this might be fun for a friend's kid too!
Grandson Alex (5) has become a Harry potter fan and he LOVES making things. Hanging out with me while little brother is sick, I gave him a certificate to for a custom wand made by famous wand maker Grandpa John. The certificate also has instructions inside such as prohibiting use of the wand "for any evil or selfish purpose", "to play tricks on helpless people or cats", and more.
We had a great time in the shop! Alex picked out the wood ("do you have any pear?"), selected design elements, "helped" with the making, and learned the words "texturing" and "friction polish".
PS, a well-heated shop is nice on a day like today. :-)
Uh Oh, Looks like you have let the Jeanie out of the bottle there. I was transfixed just looking at him throwing a spell through my monitor. ha
I'm sure as Alex grows, you are going to need to try some other more potent woods, so lucky for you, I happen to know of, or maybe I should say have access to a certain gnome forest, that I know these trees are special. It also happens to be the favorite trees for Bird-voiced Tree frogs to sing from. They are all ventriloquist, and can make anyone trying to find them run or paddle around in circles for hours trying to find them. DAHIKT. However over time, I've learned a few of their secrets since learning to speak frog, so have a bit of an inside track, so to speak.
However, I would have to have a strong commitment before sharing and of this wood. At his age, there might be some strong desire from time to time, to turn that little brother into a frog, or who knows what, and I would hate to hear of that happening. I think the best propensity of this wood, would be un-froging a potential prince for a sister, should that situation present itself to the owner of such a wand.
Good looking your feller there JKJ, your a lucky man. Ha
Yes, I'm in LR during the week, but the cabin is 2 hrs South, where I spend most weekends. And those woods I spoke of are mostly under water at the moment.
>I will be a month or so from turning, got my new knee yesterday
You should have seen him when he "made" little Christmas tree ornaments for his mama and papa. Note to Everyone: let a basic shape turn slowly on the lathe and give a child some colored markers! Who knows how that will shape his future.
Good luck with your new knee! I am once again reminded how fortunate we are to live in a time and place where things like replacement joints and pacemakers and MRIs and even doctors and dentists are available.
