Elm Pot

[Jon McElwain]

Here is a recently completed project. Specs as follows:

• The wood is Chinese (I think) Elm from a local Colorado tree I cut down a year or so ago.
• Dimensions are 3-1/8" wide by 2-5/8" tall.
• Inconsistent wall width at around 3/32", but the bottom is heavier up to 3/16" to keep it stable (keep from tipping)
• Inside finish is acrylic paint
• Outside was sanded to 1000 grit, stained to fill the grain, sanded back from 400-1000 again after stain, then finished with squalene (not squalane)

There is a little quilting on the bottom, but it's tough to see in the photos. The grain fill didn't turn out as well as I had hoped - let me know what you think. Also, the paint bled through some of the pores on the rim so I didn't get a clean a line between the paint and the outside as I had hoped. Anyway, let me know what you think - constructive critiques are very welcome!

Thank you,

Jon

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[Dave Carey]

Jon,
Really like the shape. As usual think the maker is the most critical reviewer. I thought they were great and that the "bleed" was a design feature! Cheers, Dave

[Jerry Bruette]

I like the shape of the pot, would look good on any desk serving it's purpose.

Had to look up Squalene.

Excuse my ignorance, how did you choose it? Where did you purchase it?

[Jon McElwain]

Thanks guys!

There are a few sources for squalene. It used to come from shark livers or something like that, and there is a more commonly available squalane that you can get at a cosmetics counter. But there is another source readily available to most everyone. Do you ever get a little oily behind your ears or on the sides of your nose? That oil is squalene. It is now common in cosmetics as a skin enhancer. I was introduced to it by an old machinist who would use a little of it on the very fine gears of a watch for just the tiniest amount of lubrication. I've wanted to try it for a while now as there are numerous examples of things like a round topped newel post or a handrail that gets a patina over the years from people's hands rubbing it. It took about two weeks of rubbing the pot to get it to just the right amount of luster!

Again, thank you for the comments!


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