I love that letter. The one that arrives with a postage stamp and waits in the mailbox at the curb. The letter that announces that new wooden toys are ready to be picked up.
Menno sent word last week, right before the holiday, that my order was ready. I got the letter on Wednesday; "Come anyday this week, the toys are ready, but don't come on Thanksgiving." That left Friday or Saturday.
I don't go anywhere on Black Friday. It kind of scares me out there. haha. That left Small Business Saturday and that's a day out with Brian. This is our third year observing the event, our second year down at Menno's home. There was a new baby in their family and Gusty was beside herself when Mary offered the baby to her for a snuggle. No pictures of the two of them though, the Amish don't have their pictures taken.
I asked Menno why and he didn't really know. Neither did Mary. 'It's the Amish way' was all she could offer, so we all shrugged and went back to making the baby smile and laugh.
Back to the toys.....we picked up all sorts of fencing, and two new barn & stable prototypes. Both of them made the cut, no pun, and will be added to the line up. He really is able to make my sketches a reality and I couldn't really pick a favorite. So I didn't.
As perfect as they were, they still needed polish. I was going to offer them as unfinished or finished, buyer's choice. The dark walnut, cherry and maple really needed a boost. All locally harvested and milled in the family mill. They needed a finish.
I've made beeswax finish before and love the recipe from Amber Dusick.
4 parts oil
1 part beeswax
I was at the farm and didn't have my big containers of oils so I used a combination of two oils; coconut and jojoba.
I also don't have a microwave, so I used a copper pot to melt the ingredients.
The oils melt before the wax....
Finally, the three are one.
Pour into a jar....
and wipe out your pot with a dry cloth.
I wipe out the pot while it's still warm, I've found it's the easiest way to clean up before teh residual wax hardens.
The polish will start hardening as it cools. To make sure it stays blended as it cools, stir it from time to time, scraping down the sides into the liquid.
I had brand new wooden spoons that needed a little conditioning, so I used them to stir everything...almost there.
There it is....
Don't be shy...
I'll let it rest for a full day before I buff off the excess, but they'll be ready to go in the shop this week.
Beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful.
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Katie, they turned out Amazing!!! I love the way the woods pop once you have the finish on them :) I also really enjoyed your story about visiting Menno~ he is such an amazing craftsman. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Tanya W | November 27, 2012 at 01:53 AM
I have never thought about creating my own wood finishes. It looks like it worked great! I am definitely going to steal this recipe from you. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Trish Dunlap | December 19, 2012 at 09:56 AM