Diamond Willow
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As an amateur wood carver, I am taken by the form and beauty of the wood from a shrub or small bushy tree known as Diamond Willow. An interesting aspect of the Diamond Willow is that there are beautifully embedded natural diamond shapes found on its branches and trunk. It is widely believed that a fungus, which causes the wood to twist and grow in a unique way so as to avoid this fungus, causes these shapes. Having carved in other hardwoods, the Diamond Willow has become my favorite. In addition to it's aesthetic appeal, It is light weight, strong, and easy to carve with simple tools. Walking sticks are interesting to work with and the end product is functional. I have assembled some photographs of my carved walking sticks. Many of them are Diamond Willow, and all of the wood blanks were procured in Michigan. |
Click on thumbnails for larger image
Each stick has it's own personality
My #001 first attempt at carving form into a Michigan Diamond Willow Stick. Atop of the stick is a morel mushroom with carved hemp rope style handgrip with enhanced shaping of natural diamonds in wood. The wood carves easily, but being a novice this stick took some time before it was completed.
Again #002 another Diamond Willow stick with a lot of curve which I took advantage of when carving the rope grip. The mushroom is quite small as the stick is somewhat shorter, and of a smaller diameter.
This is #003 walking stick carved in Sugar Maple. As this wood is dense , I spent a lot of time honing tools. The Morel mushroom carving was really tough on the tools. The wood spirit was given a paint job because of the light colored maple and as with all my sticks several coats of lacquer after sanding & sealing.
My first attempt at carving a form into Black Walnut to produce a 37 " walking stick /cane. I use this stick while walking the dog as it is sometimes necessary to fend off other more than curious canines.
My #004 is a Diamond Willow stick with the diamond patterns enhanced. I really like the natural color and basic shapes of natures creation.
My #005 stick, another Diamond Willow with two differently styled hand grips (upper & lower) is in progress. The upper third is rough carved.
A Very Fine Michigan Diamond Willow
(Pepperoni Stick) The above diamond willow has many embedded natural diamonds that were relief carved for enhancement by my son Richard. These sticks are a rare find here in S.E. Michigan. He also included a stylish hand grip and mushroom atop of the stick. He used only hand tools for this carving..... (He has chosen to name his carving Pepperoni Stick because the diamonds remind him of pepperoni on a pizza)
Copyright © 2000 – 2006 Richard Flake All Rights Reserve
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