Tenacity Staff
Greetings and good health!

We've had a busy weekend traveling to different sites for a little photographic self-aggrandizement, and my feet are killing me! I've not a clue as to how Valos endures the sun beating down on his black robes. It's lucky for us our hard work has paid off, though.

Agility Staff
Two more Ironwood pieces are now viewable on the Finished Work page. Valos detected distinct characteristics from both during crafting: the staff pictured above best embodies tenacity, while the staff to the left boasts agility.

Tenacity has a firm, steady energy and seems like it would make for an enduring companion during faire season. Agility, on the other hand, is much lighter. Its slender shaft has a strong but agile feel and is easy to maneuver.

Valos coated both pieces with natural stain to coax out Ironwood's natural beauty. These are simple pieces, but they don't require excessive ornamentation to be stunning.

I must bid you adieu until next week's update, so stay tuned.

Fare thee well,
Naomi

 
Greetings and good health!

With faire season nigh two months hence, we at Renniewoods are working tirelessly to ensure our faire wares are in tip top shape. This entails dragging old dark and dreary outside, finished staffs in one hand, camera in the other.
Picture
To the left is our featured piece of the week. As a water-aligned mage, the natural waves in this black birch inspired Valos to incorporate a bit of the sea into his design. After a fruitful walk along a deserted beach on a biting winter day, we had just the elements we needed for decorating the intricate staff head.

ocean staff
Fiery coral seems to grow out of nooks and crannies in the curvy staff head, while seashells rest along gentle slopes. Even the body has been sanded and coated to a smooth, glossy sheen, giving one the impression of gliding their hand over a water-slick surface. Though I am undeniably earthbound (as if being an herbalist didn't give it away), I fear I may be sad to see this piece go once some lucky faire-goer decides to take it home.

We have a lineup of several other finished staves, though you fine folks will need to come back next week for another peek.

Fare thee well,
Naomi

 
Greetings and good health to you all!

New England has been blessing us with gorgeous weather these past few days: the air is warming, the tulips are pushing their ways up; spring is fast approaching! You know what that means, don't you? I can soon kick Valos outdoors for his staff crafting, of course! What else?
Picture
As promised, I come bearing photographs of one of his finished ironwood staves; and a nice rooty staff it is!

The piece is finished with a natural stain, which enhances the ironwood's true hues and accentuates the grain of the wood.

Picture
 Now, this piece would be perfect for a dainty priestess or wench, but not so fitting for a taller gentleman - unless you enjoy frequent, sharp pokes to the eye, that is. Its roots sit at about six feet high, as you can see.

Come back next week for more pictures of finished pieces!

Fare thee well,
Naomi

 
Greetings and good health!

Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Naomi, herbalist by trade, trouble maker by hobby. Valos asked me to keep you fine folks updated on his crafty activities from here on, so you're stuck with me. Lucky you!

Lately, Valos resembles a man possessed.  Oh, I'm a healer, you're thinking, so why don't I just heal him and be done with it. How clever. A little cabin fever never hurt anyone, now did it?

Valos spends hours hunched over large pieces of wood, sawdust flying everywhere - and I mean everywhere. He only pauses his frenzied sanding to slather on a fresh coat of stain or polyurethane. The stinging scent is enough to drive any sane woman mad!

Ah, but his feverish efforts are not in vain. He'll have a fair lineup of finished staves to show off come faire season.

His aqua hued, ocean-themed staff is marvelous, and I shall be sad to see it go once someone buys it. I'll take care not to get too attached, lest someone need to pry it from my grip later on.

There are several more staves in the works, including four ironwood pieces he is refining for a rustic yet elegant finish.

Another staff I look forward to seeing completed soon is a spiral-topped work of wonder. Words don't do it justice, so I won't even try. Pictures of this and the others will be up on both the blog and the finished work page soon!

That's all for now! Fare thee well,
Naomi