I’d go crazy if all I carved was those little birds. I’m up to 40 different types of wood now, and am still on track to make 100 by the end of the year.

I wanted to make a spoon a few weeks back, and ended up carving this one. Then I got involved in other things. I found this almost done spoon on my desk over the weekend and took the time to sand and finish it.

Click on the pictures to get a larger image.

The spoon is carved from a piece of mesquite that I trimmed from one of my trees last year. I cut out the rough shape on the bandsaw, shaped the handle and bowl with the Foredom power carver. I started to use the Foredom to hollow out the bowl, but the only hollowing bit I had at the time is very small and not very aggressive. So I clamped the spoon in my vise and took a gouge to the bowl.

The spoon is right at 12 inches long. The bowl is 3 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. It’s about 3/4 inch deep at the back.

There are several largish cracks that filled with two-part epoxy and then sanded. There was also a much larger worm hole on the handle (the discolored part in the first picture) that I filled with epoxy. Next time I’ll think about doing some kind of inlay there. Perhaps some crushed turquoise.

I usually use an oil and wax finish on my spoons because I like simple finishes. But there were enough little cracks in this piece of wood that I thought I’d go with something else. I used Salad Bowl Finish, which is a pretty popular finish for wooden utensils. It’s durable and food safe. But a pain in the neck to apply. You have to apply it, wait 12 hours, sand, and repeat. They recommend at least three coats, which is what I applied. I think I’ll go with two coats the next time I use this stuff. And I might have to sand a little better between coats.

I like that the finish doesn’t darken the wood like the oil finishes I’ve used. But I don’t much like the shiny look. I think next time I’ll try melting some beeswax. I know of some people who use that to great effect.

Still, I like the spoon. I hope Debra gets good use from it.