Caring for your carving
Wood
is a natural material and is liable to shrink, expand, move, crack or
bend if subjected to extremes of heat or moisture. For this reason,
wooden items should be kept away from sources of heat such as a fire,
radiator or direct sunlight; and should not be kept in a damp
environment.Exposure to strong sunlight can cause the wood to change
colour, while damp in the wood makes it liable to attack by fungii and
other pests.
All pieces are treated with an oil finish and should be cared for by rubbing with a small amount of oil and/or wax polish to maintain their appearance.
Items intended to be kept outside are treated with an external oil
finish which resists weathering. However, they should still be
positioned out of the strongest sunlight when possible and under cover
during the winter for protection.Do not allow a carving to stand in
water or directly on a hard surface where the base will become wet.
Pieces kept outside should be treated once or twice a year with decking oil to maintain the finish and waterproofing.
Caring for a walking stick
Walking sticks are subject to changes in temperature and humidity in normal use. They are also subject to knocks and pressure. This causes them to expand, contract and flex.
Varnish does not move with the wood as it forms a hard, brittle surface which will soon crack, chip and peel off, leaving the stick unprotected and looking unsightly.
All sticks made by me have an oiled finish which will cope with normal use.
Traditional stick-makers have a saying about how often a stick should be treated to maintain its appearance and protection. They say a new stick should be oiled...
Once a day for a week,
Once a week for a month,
Once a month for a year,
Once a year for life.
Use a good quality oil such as Danish oil and rub a small amount on with a soft cloth.
The ferrule on the base of a walking stick is subject to wear in
normal use and should be replaced as necessary to prevent damage to the
stick.
NOTE: No liability can be accepted for changes or damage to any piece as a result of the way it is kept or used. All pieces are sold on the clear understanding that changes to colour and appearance are a normal part of the ageing process of wood and are beyond my control. All pieces need to be cared for as advised above.
Wood Sourcing and Environmental matters
WoodWight takes a responsible approach to sourcing wood and caring for trees and the environment. I do not use imported, tropical or "exotic" species; the harvesting of these is severely damaging to the environment - especially tropical rainforest.I use native woods, sourced around my home area or on my travels and visits.
Wherever possible I avoid cutting living wood. Some pieces are supplied by local tree surgeons from the necessary pruning of trees or from the removal of dead trees.
Generally I prefer to use 'found' wood. This includes deadfall branches etc. found in woodland and driftwood collected from beaches and riverbanks etc.
I like to use wood with a story, such as salvaged wood from old buildings or other uses where it has had a previous life. All trees have a spirit and this lives on in the wood. The wood spirit picks up on lives and events around it and continues to absorb energy and share it with those around.
All waste, chippings, etc. from my carving work is returned to the environment through composting with garden materials.
Safety Notice - Items containing tea-light candles
Candles are not toys and can present a safety risk - especially of fire.
Candles should never be left unattended when lit; or left burning when you go to sleep.
Do not place lit candles where fabrics/clothing can come into contact with the flame or near flammable items such as furniture and curtains etc.
Do not let children light candles or leave them unattended where a candle is burning.
For safety, tea-light candles can be replaced with electronic
versions which do not have a flame. However, care must be taken with
the button cell batteries in these as they can cause significant harm
if swallowed.