Secret Santa 2016

Secret Santa Project

This was the first chance I've had to complete a project with so many different techniques, from veneer laminating with CA glue to (attempting) to make a mitre-cornered box from scratch... interesting and frustrating at the same time!

Click Secret Santa for video.

Things I Learned...

1. CA glue sticks to everything! Nitrile gloves, masking tape, glass, skin... yup. Although I've found a few ways to get rid of it when you have glued yourself to something. Nail varnish remover/acetone works well in general - and also cleans up unset resin spills (wish I knew that last year, then I might still have a level table top! Thanks Peter Brown) Top Tip - Don't let glued fingers touch, it's easier to clean them up separately than to try and separate them! If you're not keen on using chemicals to clean your skin then have a good long shower or bath - wrinkly fingers required - then rub in loads of your favourite moisturizing cream and the glue will eventually peel off.
2. There is a reason why people make veneer rings and not bangles - unless you can get veneer sheets 3 feet long (and a trough long enough to soak them in) it is difficult to blend multiple pieces together and maintain a tight coil, and it is expensive in terms of glue to get all the layers stuck. In the future I would stick to rings of no thicker than 1/2", no longer than 12" per strip... although I have plans for other types of jewelry using the technique. Watch this space.
3. Carving patterns in layered veneer is damned difficult, keep things simple and avoid long, sweeping lines. Sticking in plastic stones is also prone to disaster, CA glue does not dry clear on top of them so you lose the shine and definition - I think they might melt a bit. Not sure how glass stones would react, tho...
4. Mitre joints require a proper cutting system, not just dad's knackered old mitre box and a big saw... although I have plans for some jointed boxes on the scroll saw this year.
5. Filler covers a multitude of sins, but cannot correct a wonky angle... particularly on a 'square' box.
6. If in doubt, paint it black... well, not everything, but strong wood creates an interesting pattern when coloured.

It was a good project to experiment with, and the gift was well received by the giftee... leaving me with many ideas for next year... and a few lessons I hope that I won't have to learn again!