Another winter of pecking out a story in the Uncle Emil blog. Figured to write something like a trilogy when I started "Canada" back in December of 2013. Now it's kinda done. Edited, re-edited, revised and rethought. Mostly makes sense but now I don't know what to do with it. Or where to go from here? And am a little deflated after the last, full edit. What to write next?
Along the way I've been thinking of canoe paddles. Made a fistful last year and have intentions of making more. At art and craft fairs I've been looking at the work of other woodworkers. Mostly I stare at cutting boards and the patterns used. And consider if they could be incorporated into a paddle. Seems like thievery but when I speak with the craftsmen, they don't seem to mind at all. Even offer a tip or two.
One of the craftsmen had a half dozen canoe paddles for sale. Walnut grip and blade cap. Loom and blade of what appeared to be light pine and dark-stained spruce. He was asking seventy-five bucks apiece. Hah! The man was giving them away. He said he was from Arkansas and was told down there his price was too high. Had I not been making my own I'd've bought one for sure.
As for what's planned when I get home, I figure it has a lot to do with confidence. Try something that seems far fetched as to the alignment of the blade strips and if it doesn't work, so be it. Rather than use strips of wood as they come from the board, fabricate them from multiple pieces of wood. Random chess board - I started writing checker board but figured chess had more class - of color. Had I more talent and a better band saw, inlay would be a possibility. Who knows what they'll end up looking like? The best part is I'm making them for myself and to give away. Should I bust one up one the rocks I'm only out my time and twenty bucks.
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