Wednesday, May 18, 2011

What is This Wood?

I'm really bad about keeping my scroll sawing lumber organized. I buy a piece I like, sometimes without a particular project in mind, and add it to the stash. Over time, I forget what I have or sometimes what species of wood it is. I also scrounge for scraps and cut offs, and have bought boxes of assorted scrap. So, I'm often faced with the question "what is this wood?" when I go to list an item I have made for my Etsy shop. Here's an example:

 This beautifully grained dark brown wood has a waxy feel to it and has a strong fruity odor when it is cut, which reminds me of the odor from canarywood.

Here is another example:


I believe this is poplar, but it doesn't have the greenish tint characteristic of poplar. It could be a type of maple, but it cuts so much faster than maple and the board isn't as dense or heavy as my other maple boards.

While trying to identify my wood, I came across this website, which has a wealth of information on wood lumber:
http://www.wood-database.com

Unfortunately, it hasn't helped me identify the wood used for these projects, but I have learned a lot from it, and have identified several other boards. So, if you recognize the wood in these pictures, let me know!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Wonderful Etsy Bug Treasuries!

I really love insect art and was recently featured in two wonderfully buggy Etsy treasuries. Thanks so much to Ferncliffe and morethandivine for these beautiful treasuries:

'Ode to Entomology' by Ferncliffe

The study of insects.


4x6 Cicada Pair
$8.00

VINTAGE Mushroom Taupe ...
$74.95

Decorative Golden Desk ...
$75.00

Entomology - Centipede ...
$12.00

Antique Book - Field B...
$95.00

Set of 2 Butterfly Nets...
$4.00

Insect - Mixed Media PR...
$48.00

Beetle Insect Earrings ...
$18.00

1960's bronze silk ...
$118.00

Mantis 2 Hand-Cut Paper...
$45.00

Lepidopterology Ring
$14.00

Mud Flat Clutch
$45.00

creepy crawly cockroach...
$15.00

Diary Of A Naturalist -...
$350.00

Glass Apothecary Jar. C...
$16.00

butterfly photo print -...
$20.00


'It's a bug's life ~ bugs not to be afraid of' by morethandivine

Collection of all things crawly!


song of summer necklace...
$23.00

DRAGONFLY Pink round sc...
$6.99

Insect Specimen Locket ...
$45.00

Steampunk Ring Buzzing ...
$26.50

Black Fly - Vintage DIC...
$7.00

Antique Insect Buttons ...
$5.00

Dragonfly Earrings Rubb...
$18.00

Fly patch housefly punk...
$5.00

SALE - Keychain with Ha...
$6.00

Best Sellers REAL Insec...
$39.00

Queen Bee 3.5 inch Pock...
$4.00

Linen Tea Towel - Bewar...
$15.00

Butterfly (handmade bu...
$13.50

Butterflies and Purple ...
$20.00

Be The Change - Dragonf...
$5.00

Ladybug on Postcard Art...
$10.95